Plantation, Fla., Dec 17 — NationsBenefits®, the leading healthcare fintech, benefits and outcomes platform, announced a new partnership with Dave’s Markets and Lucky’s Markets Ohio, two long-standing, community-focused grocery retailers. This integration will make it even easier for eligible health plan members across Northeast Ohio to access nutritious groceries, OTC wellness items, and other essential goods.
Through this fintech integration, members can use their NationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Flex Card at participating locations, where purchases are automatically processed through NationsBenefits’ Basket Analyzer Service (BAS). The technology evaluates items in real time at checkout, eliminating the need for members to submit claims or receipts and ensuring a seamless shopping experience at the stores they already know and trust.
The collaboration strengthens the connection between everyday grocery shopping and broader community-focused nutrition strategies. Research continues to show that when people have reliable access to nutritious food, they are more engaged with preventive and outpatient care. A 2025 study published in the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) found that members who used their grocery benefit were 6.6% more likely to complete annual wellness visits, and 6.6% more likely to visit a specialist. These findings highlight how expanding access to healthy essentials through familiar community grocers can help promote better long-term health behaviors and outcomes.
“NationsBenefits is proud to partner with Dave’s Markets and Lucky’s Markets Ohio, two grocers that are deeply rooted in the communities they serve,” said Michael Parker, Co-CEO of NationsBenefits. “Making benefits simple to use in places where people already shop allows us to continue advancing Food as Medicine in a way that is practical and meaningful. This partnership helps members stay connected to the healthy essentials they need to support their overall well-being.”
For Dave’s Markets and Lucky’s Markets Ohio, the partnership reflects a continuation of their community-first approach.
“Our stores have always been about serving the neighborhood with familiar faces, quality products, and a straightforward shopping experience,” said David Saltzman, Vice President of Dave’s Markets and Lucky’s Markets Ohio. “Working with NationsBenefits allows us to deepen our support for local families and help ensure that more Ohioans can access nutritious foods with ease.”
Together, NationsBenefits, Dave’s Market and Lucky’s Markets aim to make healthy living more accessible by merging innovative benefits technology with the convenience and familiarity of trusted local retailers. The partnership strengthens everyday access to nutritious groceries, supports health-plan goals related to engagement and prevention, and reinforces the important role neighborhood stores play in community health.