ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), an original innovator in global payments technology, today announced a partnership with NationsBenefits, the leading healthcare fintech, supplemental benefits and outcomes platform, to enhance retailer connectivity, expand payment options, and improve security and compliance for merchants accepting NationsBenefits' Benefits Mastercard Prepaid Flex Card.
The NationsBenefits Flex Card is a prepaid card that provides members with access to funds that can be used to purchase or help pay for certain health plan-covered items, such as eligible groceries, meal delivery, over-the-counter products and more. In certain installations, NationsBenefits will leverage ACI’s Intelligent Payments Orchestration technology to streamline transaction efficiency, simplify the merchant onboarding process, and enable real-time adjudication of purchases at the point of sale. This ensures that only eligible food and over-the-counter products—such as fresh produce, dairy and essential medical supplies—can be purchased using the Flex Card. Also, in certain installations where ACI is the technology partner, they will provide decryption services to alleviate PCI compliance burdens for retailers, ensuring a secure, seamless payment experience for consumers.
Through this collaboration, millions of health plan members using the NationsBenefits Flex Card will now have access to a growing network of participating retailers, including supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores. This partnership bridges the gap between retail and health by empowering consumers to use their supplemental benefits allowances at the major retailers they already frequent, making it easier for them to access healthy food, essential medical products and other critical services that support their well-being.
“ACI Worldwide is committed to delivering secure, scalable and innovative payment solutions that drive value for our partners and their customers,” said Erich Litch, general manager of payment software at ACI Worldwide. “By integrating NationsBenefits into our extensive merchant network, we are expanding access to healthy choices while ensuring frictionless transactions.”
As ACI and NationsBenefits continue their collaboration, future plans include expanding Flex Card acceptance across new verticals, including convenience stores and additional health-focused retailers.
“With the flexibility to shop at trusted retailers using their Flex Card, consumers are empowered to make healthier choices that align with their lifestyles,” said Glenn Parker, MD, Co-CEO of NationsBenefits. “By leveraging ACI Worldwide’s expertise in payments technology, we’re ensuring our members have easy access to nutritious options and essential healthcare products, while providing a seamless, secure and efficient payment experience for both consumers and merchants.”