Instacart partners with Alignment Healthcare on new benefits plan for seniors

San Francisco-based tech company Instacart announced new partnerships Tuesday with Alignment Healthcare and InComm Payments to provide grocery delivery to seniors and enable them to pay with supplemental health benefit cards beginning in 2024. 

Sarah Mastrorocco, vice president and general manager of Health for Instacart, said in a statement that partnership with Alignment Healthcare will feature a new Medicare Advantage plan that includes Instacart grocery benefits.  

“Delivered to members through their health benefit payment cards, this new supplemental health benefit will make nutritious food more accessible for chronically ill seniors,” Mastrorocco wrote in a blog post. “The new plans will give participating seniors greater independence, convenience and the dignity of choice to select the essentials they need to support their health from Instacart’s broad selection of retail partners.” 

The InComm Payments partnership will allow seniors using participating Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and other eligible programs, to pay for eligible groceries, wellness essentials and over-the-counter medications delivered via Instacart. 

“The new integration allows seniors to use a variety of payment types on Instacart, including both health benefits and SNAP following our expansion to all 50 states earlier this year,” Mastrorocco said.  

Related:Instacart wants to make its customers healthier

The new partnerships are part of Instacart Health, an initiative launched by the delivery service in 2022. The company expanded Instacart Health in March with a new “Fresh Funds” orders function, which gives shoppers the choice to purchase from a selection of health foods chosen by their healthcare provider. Instacart Health also rolled out “Care Carts” in March, which enables doctors to send custom orders to their patients. 

Orange County, California-based Alignment Healthcare said in a statement on Tuesday that the partnership would help deliver food to seniors with chronic illnesses in 13 counties across California and Nevada. 

“Our agreement with Instacart brings nutritious food directly to the doorsteps of our chronically ill members, helping to address two of the biggest hurdles today’s seniors face,” said Dawn Maroney, president, markets of Alignment Healthcare, and CEO of Alignment Health Plan. “Knowing some of our members reside in food deserts, opening access to nutritious food is even more important. Instacart Health’s food access and food as medicine programs align with our strong commitment to addressing the holistic health of our seniors to drive positive health outcomes.” 

Members of the plan who have qualifying chronic illnesses will receive $50 to $100 quarterly grocery allowances via Instacart. They also get a free Instacart membership, free delivery on orders over $35 and a live customer support line to help members with orders. 

Instacart has also created a virtual storefront that features Alignment Healthcare’s suggested items. 

“We recognize seniors face unique challenges, and Instacart helps overcome barriers to access, including mobility and transportation, by delivering groceries and over-the-counter goods directly from the retailers they trust,” said Mastrorocco in the Alignment Healthcare press release. “Food and health are deeply personal, and we believe everyone should have the dignity of choice to shop for nutritious foods and essentials that meet their unique preferences, needs and budgets. Our work with Alignment is designed to give chronically ill seniors greater independence and convenience using the power of Instacart’s technology and leading consumer Marketplace.”