Healthcare: NationsBenefits Partners with Kinney Drugs to Simplify Access to Community Healthcare in the United States

NationsBenefits offers its beneficiaries a prepaid card, in partnership with Mastercard, to purchase their medications and pharmacy items. Its 4 million users in the United States will now be able to use their cards and benefits at the 97 pharmacies in the Kinney Drugs network.

Founded in 1903 and 100% employee-owned, Kinney Drugs is deeply rooted in the communities it serves, offering accessible pharmaceutical services, vaccinations, and other health services.

Pharmacy Deserts: A Major Problem in the United States

Access to local pharmaceutical services remains a major challenge in certain areas of New York State, particularly rural or underserved areas, where pharmacies are often the primary gateway to healthcare.

Nationwide, the problem of “pharmacy deserts” affects more than 15 million Americans. This term refers to geographic areas where residents must travel long distances to find a pharmacy (often more than 15 kilometers in rural areas).

For example, a study by Yale School of Medicine found that more than a quarter of Vermont’s residents live in these isolated areas. This situation directly affects treatment adherence, prevention, and the management of chronic diseases. In New York State, although overall access has improved, historically underserved communities face similar barriers. This is where Kinney Drugs’ local network plays a key role.

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Tangible savings for household budgets

Using this prepaid card directly reduces everyday healthcare expenses. Thanks to the healthcare packages funded by social programs and managed by NationsBenefits, beneficiaries realize significant savings.

On average, a user saves between $400 and $900 a year on everyday health products, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter medications. Being able to use these financial assistance programs at local stores saves older or isolated individuals from incurring costly transportation expenses.

Local Chains vs. National Pharmacy Giants

To build its offering, NationsBenefits relies on two types of complementary networks:

• National Giants: The company is already a partner of industry giants such as CVS (more than 9,000 stores) and Walgreens. These networks are ideal for densely populated urban centers.
• Regional players such as Kinney Drugs: With its 97 pharmacies, Kinney Drugs is not as large as the market leaders, but it has a unique strategic presence in the northeastern part of the country. Owned by its employees, it serves small towns and rural areas where large chains do not operate, providing targeted solutions where the needs are most urgent.

“Our partnership with Kinney Drugs reflects our shared commitment to improving access to essential care. By integrating our program into a network of employee-owned pharmacies with deep local roots, we’re helping members use their benefits more effectively while strengthening the link between healthcare and retail,” said Michael Parker, co-CEO of NationsBenefits.

By connecting financial technology with local healthcare providers, this type of partnership demonstrates that modernizing healthcare services requires, above all, a strong commitment to adapting to the realities on the ground.