7-Eleven, PayNearMe Team for Insurance Push

WASHINGTON D.C. — 7-Eleven customers will soon find something new on their receipts. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is teaming up with Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc. and electronic cash transactions provider PayNearMe to add a special announcement that informs consumers about upcoming Affordable Care Act (ACA) deadlines and encourages them to explore options such as tax credits and newly available plans at HealthCare.gov.

During the upcoming ACA open enrollment period, all PayNearMe receipts printed at 7,800 U.S. 7-Eleven stores nationwide will include this information, something the HHS says is intended to get health coverage information into the hands of traditionally hard-to-reach consumers.

"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 HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell, who officially announced the partnership Thursday at a Washington, D.C., 7-Eleven store. "With this partnership, we are using digital platforms to place open enrollment information in the hands of consumers who need it."

All parties involved in the transaction believe consumers are much more likely to view the PayNearMe receipts and hence see the ACA reminder compared to traditional sales receipts that are often tossed in the trash. The reason is PayNearMe receipts serve as a consumer’s proof of payment for items such as rent, loans and utilities. In addition, 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.

"Banked or unbanked, cash or plastic; no matter what your preference, everyone can benefit from affordable health care," said Danny Shader, founder and CEO of Sunnyvale, Calif., PayNearMe. "By partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services, we can help generate awareness of this open enrollment process among consumers."