NationsBenefits and Kinney Drugs Partner to Expand Flex Card Access for Rx and OTC Health Needs in New York

PLANTATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NationsBenefits, the leading healthcare fintech and supplemental benefits platform, announced a new partnership with Kinney Drugs, a trusted, employee-owned pharmacy and retail chain serving communities across New York and Vermont.

Through this integration, eligible health plan members will be able to use their NationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Flex Card at participating Kinney Drugs locations to purchase eligible prescription (Rx) medications, OTC health and wellness items, and other approved essential products with no manual claims or reimbursement delays.

This collaboration enables seamless retail acceptance of the Flex Card across Kinney Drugs’ pharmacy and front-of-store environments through NationsBenefits’ Basket Adjudication Service (BAS). The partnership advances the convergence of healthcare, retail, and fintech, making benefits easier to use while improving access at the community level.

Founded in 1903 in Gouverneur, New York, Kinney Drugs has grown into a nearly 100-store pharmacy and retail chain with a strong presence throughout New York and Vermont. As a 100% employee-owned organization, Kinney Drugs is deeply rooted in the communities it serves, providing accessible pharmacy services, vaccinations, and

Access to community pharmacy services remains a critical issue in parts of New York, particularly in rural and underserved areas where pharmacies often serve as a primary point of care. In Vermont alone, research has identified the state as one of several where more than one-quarter of residents live in areas classified as “pharmacy deserts,” meaning limited or uneven access to nearby pharmacy services, a challenge that can affect medication adherence, preventive care, and chronic disease management. In New York, pharmacy access gaps persist. While overall availability has improved in recent years, historically underserved communities continue to face measurable barriers to pharmacy access, underscoring the need to strengthen local, community-based pharmacy networks in both states.

“Our collaboration with Kinney Drugs reflects our shared commitment to improving access to essential healthcare at the community level,” said Michael Parker, co-CEO at NationsBenefits. “By integrating our Flex Card program into an employee-owned pharmacy network with deep local roots, we’re helping members use their benefits more effectively while strengthening the connection between healthcare, retail, and fintech.”

Kinney Drugs’ focus on community health aligns with NationsBenefits’ mission to simplify access to benefits and improve outcomes for high-need populations, including individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and dual-eligible plans.

“At Kinney Drugs, we’ve always believed that local access matters when it comes to health and wellness,” said John Marraffa, R.Ph., President of Kinney Drugs. “Partnering with NationsBenefits allows us to offer eligible customers a convenient way to use their benefits for prescription medications and health essentials they rely on every day, while continuing our commitment to the communities we serve.”

This partnership expands NationsBenefits’ national retail network and reinforces its mission to address social drivers of health by improving access to care, reducing friction at the point of sale, and supporting whole-person health through everyday retail experiences. By connecting benefit eligibility with real-time card acceptance, NationsBenefits helps health plans turn coverage into measurable engagement and improved member experiences.

About NationsBenefits

NationsBenefits® is a leading provider of supplemental benefits, fintech solutions, and outcome improvement solutions to the healthcare industry. NationsBenefits partners with managed care organizations to provide innovative healthcare, data analytics, gap closure, and fintech solutions aimed at driving growth, reducing costs, and delighting members. By combining its cutting-edge technology with targeted retailer partnerships, NationsBenefits empowers health plans to deliver impactful supplemental benefits that optimize member experiences and drive better health outcomes. By simplifying processes to enable smarter choices and expanding access to benefits solutions, NationsBenefits aims to improve each of its members’ quality of life through its revolutionary, comprehensive suite of offerings. To learn more, visit NationsBenefits.com.

About Kinney Drugs

About Kinney Drugs: Founded in Gouverneur, NY in 1903, today the independent, employee-owned company operates 97 stores in New York and Vermont. Kinney Drugs is part of the KPH Healthcare Services family of companies, a national provider of pharmaceutical and healthcare services with complementary businesses in both the retail and commercial segments of the industry. KPH is comprised of eight divisions: (1) Kinney Drugs, a chain of full-service drug stores located throughout New York and Vermont; (2) HealthDirect Pharmacy Services, which serves long-term care and alternative care needs; (3) ProAct, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company with sales offices throughout the country and a mail-order pharmacy; (4) Noble Health Services, a specialty pharmacy that dispenses medications used to treat complex and chronic diseases; (5) Kinnect™, an on-site clinical care pharmacy; (6) Aristacare, an infusion therapy pharmacy; (7) HomeLife specialized nursing support for in-home infusion services; and (8) Kinney Homecare, a durable medical equipment company. KPH Healthcare Services is an employee-owned company with approximately 4,500 employees that provides the highest quality pharmacy and healthcare services. Every aspect of KPH’s business is guided by the values of excellence, moral responsibility, and community spirit. Learn more at www.kinneydrugs.com.

*The Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Card can be used for eligible expenses wherever Mastercard is accepted. Valid only in the U.S. No cash access.