InComm Healthcare has joined ECRS’ CATAPULT point-of-sale integration ecosystem, which will allow Dual Network Benefit Card holders to use their health plan supplemental benefit funds at ECRS retailers nationwide.
Serving more than 320 healthcare plans and more than 10 million members, InComm Healthcare created the Dual Network Benefit Card so members of participating health plans can combine their coverage benefits onto a single card.
Members can use the supplemental benefit funds on their cards to buy eligible items – including over-the-counter medicines, healthy groceries and wellness essentials – at more than 68,000 retailers nationwide.
More than $2 billion in supplemental benefits are loaded onto Dual Network Benefit Cards each year. With ECRS now directly integrated and certified with InComm Healthcare’s OTC Network, ECRS’ retailers can accept Dual Network Benefit Cards and offer greater shopping access for card users.
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“ECRS understands the massive opportunity that healthy foods benefit and directed spend cards represent for our independent retailers. Previously, directed spend programs were only accepted at national retailers, leaving shoppers no choice on where they spent their dollars,” said Caroline Catoe, president of Boone, North Carolina-based ECRS.
“ECRS and InComm Healthcare’s mutual interest in expanding access to retailers of all shapes and sizes was the driving factor in forming this partnership, and I am excited to see the positive impact this creates to our independent retailers and the local communities they serve.”
Health plans partnering with InComm Healthcare can separate their coverage benefits into individual “wallets” or combine benefits into one wallet for their members via the Dual Network Benefit Card. Shoppers then swipe the cards at checkout, where the CATAPULT point-of-sale recognizes eligible products that meet the health plan’s program requirements.
“Our health plan partners are dedicated to helping their members make healthy choices, and that starts with the ability to regularly purchase healthy foods,” said Dave Etling, SVP and general manager at InComm Healthcare.
“We are excited to collaborate with ECRS and expand the number of retail locations, particularly in the grocery and supermarket categories, where health plan members can use their supplemental benefit funds.”
