Smart Benefits: Health Insurance Stores? Yes.

UnitedHealthcare, the biggest insurer in the United States, recognizes that as many as 85 million consumers may soon be left on their own to purchase insurance. Since employers previously made decisions about benefits and provided education to these consumers, many will now be left without help. To address their needs, UnitedHealthcare’s opened eight retail stores in major metropolitan cities across the country, including Queens, NY, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. And BCBS of Florida has launched 11 of their own stores throughout that state. 

On Store Shelves

So what appeal do these retail outlets hold for the consumer?  Besides getting help with plans and costs, there's a lot more to do in the store:

• biometric health stations
• healthy cooking demonstrations
• onsite wellness programs
• knowledge stations
• seminars

There are even experts onsite who can help with Medicare questions.

The Benefits?

The carriers are taking the mystery and complexity out of insurance by making it more tangible in a friendly and approachable environment. And it’s not just consumers who benefit from the new outlets; the new stores enable the carriers to embed themselves in the community and strengthen the relationships with their customers. 

We've seen similar trends in other industries - like the return of the community bank – so these carriers may be on to something. Watch for a health insurance retailer coming soon to your neighborhood.