Healthcare workers globally have been recognized for their dedication, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, through a variety of freebies, discounts, and exclusive programs. These offers range from essential work gear like scrubs and masks to wellness subscriptions, travel benefits, and retail discounts. While many programs originated as pandemic-era gratitude, some have evolved into ongoing membership services or standard professional benefits. Access to these offers often requires verification of employment status through professional IDs, pay stubs, or specific registration processes. The availability of these perks varies significantly by region, with distinct programs operating in the United States, Australia, and other international locations.
Scrubs and Essential Work Gear
One of the most tangible forms of support for healthcare professionals involves the provision of essential work attire and safety equipment. Several uniform companies have established programs to donate scrubs to medical facilities and individual workers.
Barco Uniforms committed to donating 10,000 scrubs each month during the duration of the pandemic to support healthcare teams. Similarly, Maevn Uniforms offered free scrubs to clinics, hospitals, and healthcare facilities in need; requests for these donations were directed to a specific email address, [email protected]. Preppi also stepped in to donate N95 masks to healthcare workers in need during that time.
In Australia, Healthcare Australia (HCA) operates a National Rewards program that includes scrubs as a reward for hours worked. Employees can redeem a free set of HCA’s Premium Scrubs after reaching a minimum of 250 worked hours. Additionally, travel nurses booking their first six-week placement are automatically allocated a free set of scrubs. Outside of these specific reward structures, Medelita offers a 30% discount on scrubs for healthcare workers using the code FRONTLINES.
Beyond scrubs, other essential items have been made available. DHAVNI offered free masks upon request. Print For the Cure provided face shields, mask straps, and door openers. For those seeking footwear, FJOLK offered free pairs of shoes to healthcare workers via email request to [email protected].
Mental Health and Wellness Resources
Recognizing the immense stress associated with healthcare professions, numerous companies have provided free or discounted access to mental health and wellness applications.
- Inner Engineering Online offered free access to healthcare workers, promoting physical health and mental stability.
- The Art of Living provided free access to evidence-based breathing and meditation techniques.
- Balance, a personalized meditation app, offered free subscriptions for one year to all users during a specific period.
- Headspace provided free access for LA County residents.
- Lyf offered a free 60-minute text-based support session with a mental health specialist, available to doctors, nurses, first responders, and healthcare workers.
- Calm provided a $40 discount on a one-year subscription for nurses, first responders, and medical providers.
- Talkspace offered 50% off the first month on any plan for first responders and healthcare professionals. Registration requires downloading the app and verifying with an NPI or work badge.
Travel and Accommodation Benefits
Travel and accommodation discounts are prevalent for healthcare workers, particularly through hotel loyalty programs.
- Wyndham Hotels offered a free Gold membership upgrade from Wyndham Rewards to all essential workers, which includes healthcare workers.
- Accor Hotels provided slashed rates for healthcare workers, first responders, and volunteers in Australia. This specific deal was set to end on June 30, 2022.
- Hyatt Hotels offered a flat 30% to 50% discount on stays for healthcare workers worldwide. This deal was scheduled to end in December 2022.
Retail and Lifestyle Discounts
A wide variety of retail discounts are available across different sectors, including food, furniture, and fitness.
Food and Beverage: * Cumberland Farms: Provided free any-size hot or iced coffee to healthcare workers, first responders, and military personnel (available through April 30). * Delta Sonic: Offered a free meal to doctors, nurses, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers at locations with a Brick Oven. * Dough Donuts: Provided free individually packaged treats to hospitals and healthcare workers in the Tri-State area. * Fazoli’s: Offered a Regular Spaghetti with meat sauce or marinara and a small drink for $2.99 to restaurant workers (including healthcare settings) with a name tag, uniform, or pay stub. * Genghis Grill: Provided 20% off carryout and call-ahead orders for healthcare workers (with badge or medical ID). They also ran a "scrubs selfie" contest for a chance to win a free bowl. * Hooters: Offered 20% off for hospital workers, first responders, and military personnel.
Furniture and Home Goods: * Lovesac: Offered 40% off furniture for doctors, nurses, first responders, military personnel, and teachers.
Clothing and Apparel: * Under Armour: Offered 40% off purchases for military, first responders, and healthcare providers. * Kinflyte: Offered 20% off sitewide for healthcare workers in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. * Nursemates: Offered 15% off purchases (including masks) upon signup.
Beauty and Skincare: * Cannuka.com: Offered 50% off discounts plus a free product for healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, troops, and others.
Services and Other: * LinkBuildingHQ: Offered a 15% discount on marketing services for frontline workers using the coupon code Covid15-LBUS. * Orbit CME: Provided a $100 credit. * Intelycare: Offered a 100% free COVID-19 Nurse Training Certification for nursing professionals, including one free contact hour upon completion. * American Nurses Association (ANA): Provided a free 68-minute webinar for RNs titled “Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients During this COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Exclusive Membership Programs
Blue Light Card (Australia): This service is exclusive to eligible first responders and essential workers in Australia. It functions as a membership service where users can save up to $80 on groceries monthly. Eligibility extends to most healthcare workers in Australia, including those working in hospitals (any role), allied health professionals, and clinic workers. There is a one-off fee of $9.95 for a two-year membership card. Identification showing name and affiliation to an employer or professional qualification is required for sign-up.
Financial and Professional Support
Loan Forgiveness (United States): Healthcare workers in the United States may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness. Specific criteria must be met, including employment by a U.S. entity (referenced by Upsolve.org).
Bonus Payments (Australia): In Victoria, Australia, public healthcare workers (including clinical and non-clinical staff such as cleaning, food services, and laundry services) were provided with $3,000 bonus payments. This was intended as recognition of the extreme pressure and challenges faced within the health system. However, workers in Victoria's private health system were not eligible for this extra cash.
Conclusion
The landscape of freebies and discounts for healthcare workers is diverse, encompassing physical goods, digital wellness tools, financial incentives, and retail savings. Verification of professional status is a common requirement for accessing these benefits, often through membership platforms like Blue Light Card or direct verification with employers. While many offers are specific to the United States or Australia, others, such as certain hotel discounts and retail promotions, have been available globally. Healthcare workers interested in these perks should verify current availability and eligibility requirements directly with the specific providers, as many promotional offers are time-sensitive.