HHS, PayNearMe partner to reach more about health coverage

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the electronic cash transaction company PayNearMe has partnered in an effort to reach financially underserved and other cash-preferring consumers.

HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell joined PayNearMe and 7-Eleven leadership at a 7-Eleven store in Washington D.C., where PayNearMe demonstrated how consumers would receive receipts printed with information on Open Enrollment.

“Leveraging developments from technology companies like PayNearMe helps us to reach our consumers where they are, with the information they need to sign up and re-enroll in quality, affordable care through the Health Insurance Marketplace,” said Secretary Burwell. “With this partnership, we are using digital platforms to place Open Enrollment information in the hands of consumers who need it.”

During this year’s Open Enrollment period, all PayNearMe receipts printed at 7,800 7-Eleven stores nationwide will include a special announcement that informs consumers about upcoming Affordable Care Act deadlines and encourages them to explore beneficial options such as tax credits and newly available plans at HealthCare.gov.

The goal is to get these reminders and health coverage information into the hands of traditionally hard-to-reach consumers, according to a HHS release. Because PayNearMe receipts serve as a consumer’s proof of payment for important items such as rent, loans and utilities, they are more likely to be inspected and retained than a traditional receipt.

In addition to rent, loans and utilities, PayNearMe also allows cash-preferring consumers to pay with cash for online purchases and more at participating 7-Eleven stores and other retail stores across the U.S. Once a payment is accepted, the business being paid is notified immediately and the consumer receives a receipt as proof of payment.

Beth Walsh,

Editor

Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.

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