PLANTATION, Fla. — NationsBenefits, a leading healthcare fintech and supplemental benefits platform, has announced a new partnership with Kinney Drugs, the trusted, employee‑owned pharmacy and retail chain serving communities across New York and Vermont.
Through this integration, eligible health plan members can now use their NationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard Prepaid Flex Card at participating Kinney Drugs locations to purchase eligible prescription (Rx) medications, over‑the‑counter (OTC) health and wellness items, and other approved essential products — all without the need for manual claims or reimbursement delays.
The collaboration leverages NationsBenefits’ Basket Adjudication Service (BAS) to enable seamless Flex Card acceptance across Kinney Drugs’ pharmacy and front‑of‑store environments. This partnership strengthens the intersection of healthcare, retail, and fintech, making benefits easier to use while expanding access to essential services at the community level.
Founded in 1903 in Gouverneur, N.Y., Kinney Drugs has grown into a nearly 100‑store pharmacy and retail chain serving communities across New York and Vermont. As a 100% employee‑owned company, Kinney Drugs is deeply committed to the regions it serves, offering accessible pharmacy care, vaccinations, and essential retail services.
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, 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.
