JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - (Business Wire) Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:WINN) (WINN) today announced that it has partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) to offer its customers Health Cards in all 353 of its Florida Winn-Dixie and Save-Rite locations. The program consists of two options: the $59 Gift of Health Care card and $19 FamilyBlue discount card. The $59 Gift of Health Care card offers a convenient way to buy affordable health insurance. The $59 is applied accordingly to the plan the customer selects during the activation call. The $19 FamilyBlue discount card provides an entire family with discounts on dental, pharmacy and vision care for three months. The FamilyBlue card can pay for itself in just one visit to a provider.
“We are very excited about our partnership with BCBSF and about their Health Card program,” said Mary Kellmanson, group vice president of marketing. “The current economic downturn has left many people without access to healthcare benefits for themselves and their families. This program offers an affordable solution to that critical issue.”
Shoppers will find these cards on a permanent freestanding display unit located in the pharmacy area, and in the cold and flu aisle in stores that do not have a pharmacy. After customers have paid for their card, they can call a BCBSF 1-800 number located on the back of the card to activate it as well as receive their personalized member ID card to take to the doctor.
“Our goal is simple – to provide Floridians with easy access to the health care system,” said Craig Thomas, BCBSF vice president and chief marketing officer. “This is a completely unique concept for the health care industry that allows us to reach a broader audience of uninsured and underinsured who would normally go to their local store to purchase pre-paid and gift cards. Winn-Dixie’s role as the first Florida grocer to carry these cards is a clearly demonstrates their commitment to the health and well being of the communities they serve.”
About Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company currently operates 515 retail grocery locations, including more than 400 in-store pharmacies, in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.
About BCBSF
Celebrating 65 years as Florida’s leader in the health industry, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is mission-driven to improve affordable access to health care. BCBSF is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information concerning BCBSF, please see its Web site at www.bcbsfl.com or to listen to Floridians speak out on health care issues visit www.thepowerofthehumanvoice.com.
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., Jacksonville
Robin Lake Miller, 904-370-7715 or
904-327-1445(cell)
robinmiller@winn-dixie.com
or
St. John & Partners
Patrick McSweeney, 904-596-2085 or
904-923-4871(cell)
patrickm@sjp.com
