Improving North Carolinians’ Health: WellCare & Reinvestment Partners Collaborate
Today, WellCare of North Carolina, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), unveiled a strategic collaboration with Reinvestment Partners. This partnership aims to leverage the expertise of Reinvestment Partners, a non-profit organization based in North Carolina, in promoting health and wellness. Specifically, the collaboration focuses on enrolling WellCare members in the Eat Well Program (Eat Well), an initiative aimed at improving dietary habits and overall health.
The Eat Well initiative is set to offer eligible WellCare Medicaid members in North Carolina a prepaid credit card valued at $80 per month, exclusively designated for purchasing nutritious fruits and vegetables. With a commitment to enroll over 1,600 North Carolinians grappling with complex health issues and chronic ailments, WellCare aims to bolster access to healthy dietary options through this program.
“Elevating individuals’ access to essential funds for procuring the nourishing fruits and vegetables they require not only facilitates healthier lifestyles but also bolsters food security, empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being,” remarked Sam Hoeffler, Director of Food Programs at Eat Well. “We anticipate participants utilizing approximately $700,000 worth of fruits and vegetables through this partnership, affirming the significant impact on community health.”
Eat Well embodies the state’s dedication to combatting food insecurity and fostering a healthier populace in North Carolina. Furthermore, the program aligns with a “Food as Medicine” strategy, advocating for equitable access to a balanced diet to mitigate chronic diseases and promote health equity.
Frances Johnson, RN, Vice President of Population Health & Quality Improvement at WellCare of North Carolina, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Reinvestment Partners to advance the shared goal of enhancing the health of North Carolinians. “Recognizing the efficacy of disease prevention through dietary intervention, this partnership extends essential support to WellCare Medicaid members, granting them prepaid credit cards valued at $80 per month for six months to purchase fruits and vegetables at numerous grocery outlets across the state.”
Backed by $5 million in funding from the 2022 N.C. General Assembly’s budget, Reinvestment Partners is expanding the Eat Well program through strategic alliances with insurance entities, healthcare providers, and community organizations to widen access to nutritious food options.
About Eat Well: Eat Well, an initiative spearheaded by Reinvestment Partners, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, is designed to enhance the health and well-being of individuals facing food insecurity by integrating healthy food into healthcare practices. The program extends monthly allowances for fruits and vegetables to eligible patients, embodying the ethos of “Food is Medicine” interventions, which are proven to bolster health outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and mitigate healthcare expenditures. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, Eat Well endeavors to scale up the distribution of healthy food allowances, driving positive health outcomes at a community level.
