Alignment Healthcare, in partnership with Instacart, is introducing Medicare Advantage plans in 2024 to combat social determinants of health (SDOH), notably food insecurity and transportation access. These plans offer quarterly grocery allowances of $50 to $100, an Instacart+ membership for free delivery, and access to customer support. The initiative addresses SDOH issues affecting seniors, as identified in Alignment’s 2023 report. Eligible adults can enroll in these co-branded plans during the October 15 to December 7 annual enrollment period.
Alignment Healthcare is set to provide Medicare Advantage plans in 2024 that specifically target social determinants of health (SDOH). These plans will combat food insecurity by offering valuable benefits, such as quarterly grocery allowances.
Alignment Healthcare has joined forces with Instacart for this initiative, aimed at addressing critical issues like food insecurity and access to transportation within the senior population. Dawn Maroney, the President of Markets at Alignment Healthcare and CEO of Alignment Health Plan, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, noting how it directly delivers nutritious food to chronically ill members, thereby addressing two major challenges faced by today’s seniors.
These co-branded plans are slated to roll out on January 1, 2024, in 13 counties across California and Nevada, pending regulatory approvals. In California, they will be available in multiple counties, while in Nevada, the Alignment Health Platinum + Instacart HMO plan will be offered in several counties.
To qualify for enrollment in these plans, individuals must have a qualifying chronic condition. Members will enjoy quarterly grocery allowances ranging from $50 to $100 through Instacart, along with a complimentary Instacart+ membership that offers free delivery for orders over $35. Furthermore, members will have access to a dedicated customer support line for assistance with account setup and placing orders. The plans will also provide a virtual storefront on the Instacart platform featuring recommended items from Alignment Healthcare.
This partnership is facilitated through Instacart Health, which leverages its platform to enhance food security and launch food-as-medicine programs across the United States.
According to Alignment’s 2023 Social Threats to Aging Well in America report, food insecurity and limited transportation access rank as the top social determinants of health barriers for seniors. The report also reveals that more than one in eleven seniors attribute depression and anxiety to struggles in obtaining and consuming healthy food. Additionally, 19 percent of respondents who were concerned about negative health impacts in the coming year cited a lack of access to healthy food.
Interestingly, the report highlights that a monthly grocery allowance is the most desired benefit among seniors if offered by their health plan.
Members who opt for an Alignment Medicare Advantage plan will gain access to an on-demand concierge team capable of addressing health-related inquiries, arranging transportation services, and scheduling medical appointments.
Eligible adults can choose one of these co-branded plans during the annual enrollment period, which commences on October 15 and concludes on December 7.