Alignment Health to Offer Medicare Advantage Plans That Address SDOH

Alignment Healthcare has partnered with Instacart to offer Medicare Advantage plans in 2024 that address social determinants of health, including food insecurity and transportation access.

“Our agreement with Instacart brings nutritious food directly to the doorsteps of our chronically ill members, helping to address two of the biggest hurdles today’s seniors face,” Dawn Maroney, president of markets at Alignment Healthcare and CEO of Alignment Health Plan, said in the press release.

“Knowing some of our members reside in food deserts, opening access to nutritious food is even more important. Instacart Health’s food access and food as medicine programs align with our strong commitment to addressing the holistic health of our seniors to drive positive health outcomes.”

The payer will offer co-branded plans starting January 1, 2024, across 13 counties in California and Nevada, pending regulatory approvals. In California, three plans will be available in Los Angeles, Marin, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus counties. In Nevada, the Alignment Health Platinum + Instacart HMO plan will be offered in Carson City, Clark, Douglas, Nye, Storey, and Washoe counties.

Individuals can enroll in a plan if they have a qualifying chronic condition. Members will receive $50 to $100 in quarterly grocery allowances through Instacart and a complimentary Instacart+ membership with free delivery on orders over $35.

Additionally, members will have access to a customer support line to help set up their account and place orders. The plans will provide a virtual storefront on the grocery platform displaying recommended items from Alignment Healthcare.

The partnership is through Instacart Health, which uses the platform to boost food security and launch food as medicine programs across the United States.

Food insecurity and a lack of transportation access are two of the top social determinants of health barriers that seniors face, according to Alignment’s 2023 Social Threats to Aging Well in America report.

In addition, more than 1 in 11 seniors said struggling to obtain and eat healthy food causes depression and anxiety. Among respondents who were concerned about negative impacts on their health in the next year, 19 percent cited a lack of healthy food to eat.

The report also revealed that a monthly grocery allowance was the highest-ranked benefit seniors said they would use if their health plan offered it.

Members who select an Alignment Medicare Advantage plan will have access to an on-demand concierge team that can answer health-related questions, arrange transportation services, and schedule medical appointments.

Adults eligible for Medicare can choose a co-branded plan during the annual enrollment period, which begins October 15 and lasts until December 7.