Meijer Partners with Priority Health to Provide Information as Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Begins

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based supercenter chain, announced today that it is partnering with Priority Health, Michigan's leading health plan, to raise awareness and help customers obtain information regarding their options as open enrollment for health insurance begins under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The Michigan-based entities have unveiled a Health Reform and You! website at http://www.meijer.com/aca and are also providing informational brochures for customers at 203 Meijer pharmacy locations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

"We know patients will have questions about their health care, and we consider it important to be able to help them get the answers they need regarding the Affordable Care Act," Meijer Drug Store Vice President Nat Love said. "Meijer is committed to providing options to help our customers lead healthier lives. We want to help them find the information they will need to make the best choices for the health care of their families while addressing any questions or confusion they may have."

As of today, anyone who doesn't have access to employer-sponsored insurance will be able to purchase coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Each state has a Health Insurance Marketplace where you can compare health insurance plans and determine which medical coverage to purchase. You can also determine if you are eligible for tax credits to help pay for your coverage or subsidies to help lower out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and co-pays.

"By partnering with Meijer, we are leveraging our joint commitment to provide consumers with the tools and information they need to navigate this new era of health care," said Marti Lolli, director of health reform at Priority Health.

According to the ACA, individuals are required to enroll for insurance by Dec. 15, 2013 to qualify for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014. The law requires that most Americans have health insurance or pay a penalty on annual taxes for failing to do so.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 203 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

About Priority Health:  Priority Health is an award-winning Michigan-based non-profit health plan nationally recognized for improving the health and lives of its members. It continues to lead the industry in engaging members in their health, delivering effective health and disease management programs, and working with physicians to improve health care outcomes and performance. Priority Health is one of only 20 health plans nationwide with wellness programs accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, an organization that also rated our plans among the best health plans in the nation. Priority Health was also named the benchmark plan by the State of Michigan for all individual and group plans to model. Priority Health offers a broad portfolio of health benefit options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Its network of health care providers features 95% of practicing physicians available in Michigan and more than 900,000 nationwide. For more information, visit priorityhealth.com.

SOURCE Meijer