What is the Healthy Savings Program?
The Healthy Savings program is a health and wellness initiative that partners with health insurance plans, employers, and government entities to make healthy eating more affordable. Unlike a debit card with a pre-loaded balance, it provides instant savings on thousands of pre-qualified, nutrient-dense food items from over 200 qualified brands. The savings are automatically applied at checkout, provided you use your Healthy Savings card or mobile app barcode. This eliminates the need to clip coupons or wait for rebates, making the process effortless and immediate for members.
How Eligible Food is Determined
To ensure the program promotes truly healthy eating, a proprietary system is used to determine which foods are eligible for discounts.
- Guiding Stars® Nutrition Guidance System: Each product is initially rated using the rigorous Guiding Stars® system. This system analyzes the nutritional information, comparing beneficial components like fiber, vitamins, and minerals against less healthy elements like saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium.
- Proprietary Qualification Criteria: Healthy Savings applies its own criteria to select only the most nutrient-dense foods for promotion. This means that within a category like bread, for example, whole-grain options will be promoted over refined white bread.
Examples of Eligible Healthy Foods
Your Healthy Savings card can be used for a wide variety of nourishing food items, with new promotions added every week. Common eligible categories include:
- Fresh and Frozen Produce: All fruits and vegetables, whether fresh or frozen, are eligible for savings.
- Lean Meats and Seafood: This includes items like chicken breast, fish, and other lean protein sources.
- Dairy Products: Milk, eggs, and yogurt are often included in weekly offers.
- Healthy Grains: Look for whole-grain bread, brown rice, and healthy cereals.
- Pantry Staples: Select healthy versions of canned fruits, canned vegetables, and other non-perishables.
Healthy Savings Card vs. Health Savings Account (HSA): A Comparison
It is common to confuse a Healthy Savings card with a Health Savings Account (HSA), but they are fundamentally different. The table below outlines the key differences between these two health-related financial tools.
| Feature | Healthy Savings Card | Health Savings Account (HSA) |
|---|---|---|
| Function | A discount program for specific healthy foods. | A tax-advantaged savings account for qualified medical expenses. |
| Funding Source | Funded by your program sponsor (health plan, employer) via promotions. | Funded by you or your employer with pre-tax dollars. |
| Eligible Items | Pre-selected list of healthy foods, with discounts changing weekly. | Qualified medical expenses defined by the IRS, including prescriptions, doctor visits, etc. |
| Use-it-or-Lose-it | Weekly offers expire and do not roll over. | Funds carry over from year to year; they never expire. |
| Groceries | Yes, but limited to promoted healthy food items. | Generally no, with very few exceptions requiring a doctor's prescription. |
| Tax Status | N/A (provides a discount). | Triple tax advantage: contributions, growth, and withdrawals for qualified expenses are all tax-free. |
Where to Use Your Healthy Savings Card
The Healthy Savings program partners with a wide network of retailers to ensure accessibility for members. However, the specific stores that accept the card can vary based on your location and program affiliation.
- Check the App or Website: The most reliable method is to use the "Find Store" feature on the Healthy Savings mobile app or website.
- Look for Participating Retailers: Major partners often include stores like Walmart, Hy-Vee, Cub, and others.
- Confirm on Receipt: The savings are applied automatically at the checkout. The easiest way to confirm is to check your receipt for the discounts.
How to Maximize Your Savings
To get the most out of your Healthy Savings card, follow these tips:
- Download the App: Install the Healthy Savings mobile app for easy access to your digital card, store finder, and weekly offer updates.
- Check Weekly Deals: Visit the app or website regularly to see new weekly promotions on healthy staples like milk, whole-grain bread, and produce.
- Utilize EBT and SNAP: If you have an EBT card, you can often use it in conjunction with your Healthy Savings benefits at participating retailers to stack your discounts.
- Scan Products: Use the mobile app's barcode scanner to quickly check if an item qualifies for a discount while you're shopping.
Conclusion
Yes, you can buy food with your Healthy Savings card, but it is important to understand the program's limitations and specific functions. It is a powerful tool for making healthier food choices more affordable by providing instant discounts on pre-selected nutrient-dense items. The key is to remember that it is a discount program tied to a sponsor, not a cash-loaded debit card like a Health Savings Account (HSA), which has different rules. By using the mobile app and checking weekly offers, members can maximize their savings and support their wellness goals.
For more information on the program's specifics, be sure to visit the official Healthy Savings website or check with your program sponsor.
Learn More at TryHealthySavings.com
If you're unsure about your specific benefits or which items are eligible, visiting the official website is your best resource. The site provides details on how to activate your card, find participating stores, and view the latest discounts to help you make informed, healthy choices while saving money.
