What's Happening?
SCAN Health Plan has partnered with Costco to provide Medicare Advantage members with cost savings on medications, vaccinations, and over-the-counter essentials. Costco will serve as a preferred pharmacy, offering competitive prices and allowing SCAN enrollees
to use their eyewear allowance at Costco. Additionally, SCAN is launching a rewards program where members can earn up to $125 for health-related activities, redeemable at Costco for healthy groceries and personal care products. This partnership aims to enhance value and quality for SCAN members.
Why It's Important?
The collaboration between SCAN Health Plan and Costco represents a strategic move to improve healthcare affordability and accessibility for Medicare Advantage members. By leveraging Costco's retail presence, SCAN can offer members significant savings and broaden access to essential health products. This partnership aligns with industry trends of health plans teaming up with retailers to enhance member benefits and engagement. It also highlights the importance of value-based care and consumer-centric healthcare solutions.
What's Next?
Starting January 1, SCAN members in Washington state will be able to use their over-the-counter benefits at Costco locations, providing greater flexibility in benefit usage. SCAN Health Day events will be hosted in 50 Costco stores, offering Medicare Advantage resources and health guidance. These initiatives may lead to increased member satisfaction and engagement, potentially prompting other health plans to explore similar partnerships.
Beyond the Headlines
The partnership underscores the growing trend of integrating healthcare services with retail environments, emphasizing the need for accessible and affordable care solutions. Ethical considerations around consumer data usage and privacy are important as health plans collaborate with retailers. Long-term, this partnership could influence how healthcare benefits are structured and delivered, promoting a more consumer-centric approach.
