Health plans, affinity groups can now use benefits at retail giant's stores

ATLANTA — Walmart has joined the network of retailers accepting InComm Healthcare & Affinity’s (IHA) Enhanced Payment Platform.

InComm said Tuesday that members of more than 90 health plans with cards issued by IHA can now participate in health plan-sponsored wellness programs and receive benefits at Walmart locations nationwide.

Health plans with cards issued by IHA can participate in health plan-sponsored wellness programs and receive benefits.

“More and more, Americans are taking an active role in their health, and we want to help,” stated Alex Hurd, senior director of product development for growth and payer innovation, health and wellness, at Walmart. “Health plans promote wellness activities directly to their members, and we’re bringing solutions to the table that can help support those members’ healthier lifestyles by being in network for those plan benefits. Using our size and scale, we have a big role to play in making products and services that promote the well-being of our customers and associates more accessible and affordable.”

The IHA platform delivers targeted retail programs and incentives to membership and affinity groups, increasing foot traffic in stores and fostering brand loyalty, according to InComm. Organizations can turn their member ID card into a swipeable savings tool and give special status to select items at checkout, the company explained, noting that retailers can incent consumers who are members of a health plan and create flexible programs redeemable at the point-of-sale.

In addition, the IHA engagement platform provides a single point of integration for third-party restricted-spend programs. For Walmart, the platform can support multiple sponsors, payment types and payers for each program, expanding the scope of the member benefit, according to InComm, a leading provider of prepaid product and transaction services.

“The addition of Walmart to our network of retailers is a major milestone for our platform that significantly expands the value we can provide to the health plans and affinity groups we serve,” commented David Vielehr, senior vice president and general manager for InComm Healthcare & Affinity. “Our vision has always been for our Enhanced Payment Platform to be at the center of the complete retail wellness offering that includes pharmacy, grocery and lifestyle choices.”

Other retailers participating in InComm’s network include CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Meijer, Fred’s, Dollar General, H-E-B, Family Dollar Stores, Discount Drug Mart and Save Mart Supermarkets.