Winn-Dixie to offer health insurance to Florida customers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A Florida-based grocer has partnered with the local Blue Cross Blue Shield to offer its customers health cards.

Winn-Dixie said Wednesday it will offer the program in all 353 of its Florida Winn-Dixie and Save-Rite locations. The program consists of two options: the $59 Gift of Health Care card and $19 FamilyBlue discount card.

The $59 Gift of Health Care card offers a convenient way to buy affordable health insurance. The $59 is applied accordingly to the plan the customer selects during the activation call. The $19 FamilyBlue discount card provides an entire family with discounts on dental, pharmacy and vision care for three months. The FamilyBlue card can pay for itself in just one visit to a provider.

“We are very excited about our partnership with BCBSF and about their Health Card program,” said Mary Kellmanson, Winn-Dixie group VP marketing. “The current economic downturn has left many people without access to healthcare benefits for themselves and their families. This program offers an affordable solution to that critical issue.”

Shoppers will find these cards on a permanent freestanding display unit located in the pharmacy area, and in the cold and flu aisle in stores that do not have a pharmacy. After customers have paid for their card, they can call a BCBSF 1-800 number located on the back of the card to activate it as well as receive their personalized member ID card to take to the doctor.

“Our goal is simple – to provide Floridians with easy access to the healthcare system,” said Craig Thomas, BCBSF VP and chief marketing officer. “This is a completely unique concept for the healthcare industry that allows us to reach a broader audience of uninsured and underinsured who would normally go to their local store to purchase pre-paid and gift cards. Winn-Dixie’s role as the first Florida grocer to carry these cards is a clearly demonstrates their commitment to the health and well being of the communities they serve.”