Understanding Healthy Benefits Cards | May 5, 2023

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Since the beginning of the 2023 calendar coverage year, retail stores have seen an increased use of “healthy benefits cards” by customers. These cards are designed to be used to purchase food and non-food wellness products. Some state Medicaid agencies and private Medicare Advantage plans, and possibly other programs and entities, may be offering these healthy benefits cards to certain beneficiaries or enrollees. FMI has heard reports of technical difficulties with accepting and processing these cards at the point of sale from grocers of all sizes and geographies. We also have heard reports that there are a variety of benefit cards in circulation (I.e., debit-style cards, gift cards) which are issued by different insurers and processors and utilize varying APL/UPC lists.

In this presentation, consulting firm Oliver Wyman defines Healthy Benefits Cards, offers an in depth look into the healthcare benefits market, and addresses retailer specific considerations and questions.

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Jennifer Hatcher

Chief Public Policy Officer & Senior Vice President, Government Relations

FMI

Jennifer's passion for the value of community and business associations has deep roots, emanating from her family's ownership of three diverse small businesses in her native Knoxville, Tennessee.  Here she experienced the valued camaraderie, creativity and the positive impact of trade associations -- goals she has sought to achieve throughout her professional career.

Jennifer serves as Chief Public Policy Officer for FMI - the Food Industry Association overseeing FMI’s federal, state and regulatory efforts on public policy, legislative and political issues impacting the food industry. Jennifer has supported the expansion and growing complexity of the association for the past two decades that now includes retail, wholesale and manufacturing operations reflecting the full spectrum of the supply chain.  She has been involved in leading successful advocacy efforts to reform the debit card marketplace; legislate and implement the Food Safety Modernization Act; and to preserve the confidentiality of business data via a U.S. Supreme Court case, FMI v. Argus Leader. 

Jennifer has been recognized by the industry as a Top Woman in Grocery, 2016; and as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists, 2020, 2021. She was recognized in 2022 as Association Lobbyist of the Year by CEO Update.

Previously, Jennifer served as Chief of Staff to United States Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL), later Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee; Special Assistant and White House Liaison at the U.S. Department of the Treasury during President George H.W. Bush’s Administration; and a White House intern during President Ronald Reagan’s Administration. Jennifer has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Communication from Vanderbilt University and a master’s in Government from Johns Hopkins University.

In her volunteer work, Jennifer is immediate past Chair of the Board of the Friends of the National Arboretum (2019-2021), charting a successful path for growth for the organization during an incredibly challenging time for non-profits. She is also a member of the DC Board of Directors of Common Threads providing children and families cooking and nutrition education. 