Healthcare workers across the United States have access to a wide variety of freebies, discounts, and promotional offers as a gesture of appreciation for their service. These offers span multiple categories, including food and beverages, technology, apparel, professional development, and wellness. The availability of these benefits varies, with many tied to specific verification methods such as ID.me or direct proof of employment. While some deals are ongoing, others are strictly limited-time offers associated with events such as Nurses Week or specific pandemic relief efforts.
The following guide details the specific offers available to healthcare professionals, including eligibility requirements, redemption methods, and expiration dates where provided.
Food and Beverage Offers
Numerous restaurant chains and food companies have established programs to provide complimentary or discounted meals and products to healthcare workers.
Immediate and Short-Term Promotions Several food vendors offer immediate gratification for healthcare workers who present valid identification: * Checkers & Rally’s: This fast-food chain offers free small combos to healthcare workers who wear their uniforms while ordering. * Chipotle: Healthcare workers can enter a drawing for a chance to win a free Chipotle e-card with a promo code for an entrée. This specific promotion ends on May 12, 2025. * Insomnia Cookies: By showing a valid ID, healthcare workers can receive a BOGO (buy one, get one free) offer on classic cookies. This offer is valid through May 11, 2025. * Mod Pizza: Between May 5 and May 8, healthcare workers can show a valid work ID at local Mod Pizza locations to enjoy a buy one, get one free offer on MOD-size pizzas or salads. * Mountain Mike’s Pizza: Using the code “APPRECIATE25” from May 6 through May 9 allows healthcare workers to receive 15% off all pizzas. * Outback Steakhouse: A 10% discount on the entire check is available with a valid medical ID. * Starbucks: Healthcare workers can receive free tall hot or iced coffees until May 31.
Discounts via Verification Platforms Many food and beverage brands require verification through third-party platforms like ID.me to unlock savings: * Awake Caffeinated Chocolate: Offers a 15% discount after verifying status on ID.me. * Factor Meals: Provides 55% off the first box and free shipping, followed by 15% off for the next year. Verification with ID.me is required. * Free Rein Coffee Company: Offers 20% off via ID.me verification. * Home Chef: Sign up for ID.me to receive 50% off the first box and 10% off ongoing boxes. * Purity Coffee: Offers a 30% discount on their coffee products.
Sweepstakes and General Discounts * Applebee’s: Through May 10, 2025, nurses can receive a free appetizer with the purchase of an entrée at participating locations owned by the Flynn Group. * Krispy Kreme: Healthcare workers can get a dozen original glazed donuts for free through May 12.
Retail, Apparel, and Tech Discounts
Retailers across various sectors offer exclusive discounts to healthcare professionals, often requiring specific codes or verification.
Apparel and Footwear * MedShop: Nurses can receive a 10% discount on nursing scrubs and other product lines from May 5 to May 12 using the code “NURSE2025”. * Nursemates: Offers 15% off purchases, including masks, upon sign-up. * Skechers: Essential workers were offered a 30% discount plus free shipping through June 15. (Note: Deal ended). * Smartwool: Nurses and healthcare professionals were eligible to join the Pro Purchase Program for special discounts. Sign-up was required by August 31, 2020. (Note: Deal ended). * Sperry: Offers a 15% discount to nurses, first responders, military personnel, students, and teachers. * Tecovas: Medical providers, first responders, and military members could receive a 20% discount on boots and accessories through May. (Note: Deal ended).
Technology and Electronics * Bose: Nurses receive a special discount on orders of $199 or more, verified through ID.me. * Lenovo: Offers an extra 5% off new tech like smartphones and laptops during checkout with ID.me. * PC Liquidations: Healthcare workers receive 10% off refurbished gadget products with no minimum purchase. * Philips: Offers 25% off purchases. * Ring.com: Provides a one-time discount on select purchases after verification with VerifyPass. * SONOS: Offers 15% off for nurses through the ID.me page. * Tech21: Offered 60% off antimicrobial phone, tablet, and laptop cases to healthcare heroes via email verification. (Note: Deal limit reached).
Other Retail Services * Take 5 Oil Change: Partnered with Castrol to offer a 50% discount on oil changes for medical professionals and first responders. This offer was valid in the US and Canada through May 23. (Note: Deal ended). * Theragun: Offered a discount of up to $250 off massage devices to first responders, healthcare workers, and military members while supplies lasted. (Note: Deal ended). * Therabody: Offers 20% off regular-priced Theragun or Theraone CBD for nurses.
Travel, Lodging, and Transportation
During the pandemic, significant efforts were made to facilitate travel for healthcare workers, particularly those volunteering in hotspots or needing isolation housing.
Air Travel * Delta Airlines: Delta offered free round-trip flights to medical volunteers traveling to the hardest-hit states. Flights were offered through June 30, with destinations added weekly.
Hotel and Lodging * Hilton Hotels: Hilton donated up to 1 million free hotel room nights across the U.S. to frontline healthcare staff who needed a place to sleep or isolate from their families during the pandemic. * Volunteer Travel: Various airlines and housing providers offered free travel and stays for healthcare workers traveling to coronavirus hotspots to provide assistance.
Local Transportation * Citi Bikes: A free 30-day membership was available to those working on the frontlines in NYC.
Professional Services and Financial Benefits
Beyond tangible goods, healthcare workers can access financial services, professional training, and essential support services.
Financial Services * NIH Federal Credit Union (NIHFCU): Provides the "Healthcare Suite" benefits for professionals, including up to $50 in annual work-related reimbursements, low-interest personal loans, and specialized financial planning services. * Wells Fargo: Offers lower mortgage rates, reduced loan fees, and financial coaching programs designed for nurses and frontline healthcare workers.
Professional Development and Training * 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.” * Intelycare: Offered a 100% free COVID-19 Nurse Training Certification for nursing professionals, which included one free contact hour upon completion. * Orbit CME: Provided a $100 credit for continuing medical education. * AACN Resources: The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offers free access to online communities, CE activities, blog content, and nurse staffing resources. They also provide discounted certification exam fees for groups of 10 or more candidates.
Support Services * Care.com: Frontline healthcare workers received a free month of premium access to Care.com services, including unlimited messaging with caregivers for children, elderly parents, or pets. * LinkBuildingHQ: Offered a 15% discount on marketing services for online presence using the coupon code “Covid15-LBUS”.
Health, Wellness, and Safety Supplies
Several programs focused on providing necessary safety equipment and wellness products.
Safety Equipment * DHAVNI: Offered free masks to healthcare workers upon request. * Preppi: Donated N95 masks to healthcare workers in need. * Print For the Cure: Provided face shields, mask straps, and door openers. * BJ’s Wholesale Club: Offered a free 4-month membership to healthcare workers and first responders. Additionally, starting April 19, these individuals could shop every Sunday from 8 am to 9 am without a membership.
Wellness Products * ChiliPAD: Offered a new or refurbished chiliPAD (a temperature-controlled mattress pad) to U.S.-based healthcare professionals and first responders. This offer was good through May 31, while supplies lasted. (Note: Deal ended).
Contests and Sharing * Cloves: Healthcare workers could share their stories for a chance to win a pair of Cloves.
Conclusion
The landscape of freebies and discounts for healthcare professionals is diverse, covering immediate needs like food and safety equipment to long-term benefits like financial planning and professional development. While many offers are tied to specific dates—particularly those surrounding Nurses Week in May—others, such as certain verification-based retail discounts and professional resources, remain available. Healthcare workers are encouraged to verify their eligibility through platforms like ID.me or by presenting valid work IDs to access these benefits. Due to the dynamic nature of these promotions, offers may change or expire, requiring interested individuals to act within specified timeframes.