UnitedHealthcare Healthy Food Card | HelpAdvisor.com (2024)


Medicare Advantage plans can offer a number of additional benefits not found in Original Medicare.

One benefit that has been gaining traction in recent years are flex cards for seniors and over-the-counter (OTC) benefits. You can take advantage of credits for groceries, OTC products and utility bills covered every month with the UCard by UnitedHealthcare.

Healthy food cards covers all types of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, poultry and dairy products

In this review, we take a look at the UnitedHealthcare healthy food card benefit to help you decide if this added feature may be worth considering for your next Medicare Advantage plan.

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What Is the UnitedHealthcare Healthy Food Benefit or Ucard for 2023?

The UnitedHealthcare healthy food card, or Ucard, is a pre-loaded debit card that may be used to buy food and over-the-counter health products and even pay for home utility bills.

The Ucard balance is replenished every month.

What Can I Buy With My Healthy Food Card?

A UnitedHealthcare UCard may be used to purchase approved food items, over-the-counter medications and health items and even utility bills. You UnitedHealthcare Ucard also serves as your plan ID card that you would present to a doctor or pharmacy when using your plan benefits or checking in at the gym.

You can use your Healthy Food Card to buy some of the following:

  • Frozen Meals or Produce
  • Fresh Salad Kits
  • Dairy Products
  • Fresh and Canned Vegetables and Fruits
  • Meat and Seafood
  • Kitchen Staples such as sugar, spices, and flour
  • Soups
  • Bottled Water
  • Healthy Grains such as Bread, Cereal and pastas
  • Nutritional bars and shakes

You can use the UnitedHealthcare website or mobile app to check your card balance or available rewards, find participating stores and shop for approved items.

Groceries

The UnitedHealthcare healthy food card can be used to purchase a large list of grocery items including milk, fruits and vegetables, eggs, bread, frozen meals, cheese, condiments and more.

The list of items you can purchase with a UnitedHealthcare UCard may differ from one retailer to another, but the list of approved items from Walmart can give you an idea of the type of foods you can expect to buy.

OTC Health Products

A UnitedHealthcare healthy food card may also be used to purchase over-the-counter health products found in pharmacies and grocery stores such as cold and cough medicines, pain and allergy relievers, bandages, toothpaste, vitamins and much more.

Utility Bills

You can use a UnitedHealthcare Ucard to pay utility bills like your electricity, gas, water and internet bills.

Where Can I Use My UnitedHealthcare Healthy Food Card? (UCard)

A UnitedHealthcare healthy food card (UCard) can be used at more than 35,000 participating stores including major retailers such as:

  • Walmart
  • Walgreens
  • CVS
  • Kroger
  • Publix
  • HEB
  • Family Dollar
  • Dollar General
  • Numerous local brands

You can even use the card to shop online and get free home delivery with a minimum order total.

You can also use your UCard To Do The Following:

  • Visit a provider like your primary care provider or a dentist
  • Gym memberships
  • Pay utility bills
  • Fill a prescription
  • Buy qualifying healthy foods

Utility bills can be paid for online or over the phone or at a Walmart MoneyCenter. Please refer to UnitedHealthcare to see all the benefits of your UCard!

What Is a UnitedHealthcare Reward Card?

UnitedHealthcare offers several different rewards programs for Medicare Advantage members.

  • UnitedHealthcare Rewards encourages members to earn rewards for reaching goals and completing activities. This rewards program is typically offered through UHC workplace insurance plans.
  • Rally is a website and mobile app that UnitedHealthcare members can use to earn rewards for practicing healthy habits.
  • SimplyEngaged is an incentive program that rewards members for participating in biometric screenings and completing health activities.
  • UnitedHealthcare Motion utilizes a device to track activity, set goals and earn financial rewards that may be applied to a health savings account.
  • UnitedHealth Personal Rewards combines tools and incentives for better health and lifestyle decisions that allow members to earn gift cards, health savings account deposits and other rewards.

Many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans also come with Renew Active memberships. Renew Active is a health and fitness program designed specifically for older adults and offers its own rewards program for participants.

Can D-SNP Members Use a UnitedHealthcare Food Card?

UnitedHealthcare Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) typically include a healthy food card. These types of plans are designed for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

How Do I Enroll in a UnitedHealthcare Plan With a Food Card?

Start by contacting a licensed insurance agent to learn about the various UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans available in your area that include a healthy food card benefit. An agent can help you determine which plan may be best suited for your needs, confirm your eligibility and help you enroll at your earliest eligible enrollment period.

Around 29% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries had a UnitedHealthcare plan in 2023, making UnitedHealthcare the most popular provider in the industry.1

UnitedHealthcare Healthy Food Card | HelpAdvisor.com (2024)

FAQs

What kind of food can I buy with my UnitedHealthcare card? ›

With your healthy food credits, you could buy a wide range of approved groceries, like:
  • Fruit & vegetables.
  • Frozen produce & meals.
  • Dairy products.
  • Meat & seafood.
  • Beans & legumes.
  • Pantry staples – flour, sugar, spices, etc.
  • Healthy grains – bread, cereals, pastas, etc.
  • Nutritional shakes & bars.

Can I use my UnitedHealthcare card at Walmart? ›

With your UnitedHealthcare UCard, it's easy to use your credit to: Shop at thousands of participating stores, including Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, and CVS, or at neighborhood stores near you. Pay eligible home utility bills online or at your local Walmart MoneyCenter.

What can you not buy with UnitedHealthcare UCard? ›

"You can use your benefits to purchase OTC products including allergy medication, cough drops, first aid supplies, oral care, pain relievers, vitamins, and more," reads the Health Benefits website. Certain items such as soda, candy, chips, and other junk foods are usually not eligible for purchase with the card.

What does the UnitedHealthcare OTC card pay for? ›

Get a credit every quarter for OTC products

Your plan comes with a credit that will be loaded to your UnitedHealthcare UCard® every quarter for covered over-the-counter (OTC) products. Shop in-store or online for pain relievers, cold remedies, toothpaste, vitamins and more.

Can I buy ice cream with a healthy benefits card? ›

Can I buy ice cream with my Healthy Foods card? No, ice cream isn't usually permitted with the Healthy Benefits Plus Program.

Can I buy laundry detergent with my OTC card? ›

Use your $25 a month to get items like baby wipes, allergy products, pain relief medicine and more. You can also get everyday items like laundry detergent, soap and toothbrushes.

Can I buy shampoo and conditioner with an OTC card? ›

OTC items are not eligible for reimbursement if they are normally used for general health, are not used to treat a medical condition (e.g. toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, shampoo) or are cosmetic in nature (e.g. teeth whitening products, wrinkle reducers). See additional examples in the OTC Chart.

What food items can you get with an OTC card? ›

Examples of approved food items are fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, rice, pasta, beans, and much more.

Does UnitedHealthcare pay for food? ›

Members receive a UnitedHealthcare UCard®, which is your member ID and gives you access to monthly credit that may be used for: Shop in-store or online to buy covered groceries, like fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy products and water.

Can I use my UnitedHealthcare card at the ATM? ›

With your PIN you can use your card to withdraw funds at any ATM that displays the MasterCard brand name. * You can withdraw money at the ATM to reimburse yourself if you go to the doctor and pay for services out of your own pocket.

Can I buy meat with United Healthcare OTC card? ›

Buy healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy products and water.

How much money is on my OTC card? ›

For balance inquiries you can use any of the following: OTC Network member portal, OTC Network mobile app, or call the number on the back of your OTC Network card.

Can I buy gas with my UnitedHealthcare card? ›

You can use a UnitedHealthcare Ucard to pay utility bills like your electricity, gas, water and internet bills.

Do I get money on my OTC card every month? ›

Depending on your provider, OTC cards may be filled each quarter (every three months) or at the beginning of every month. Funds on OTC cards do not carry over to the next month or quarter. If you do not use your full quarterly allowance, any unused funds are lost.

What can I buy with my HealthyBenefitsPlus card? ›

With Healthy Benefits+, you get an allowance to spend on thousands of lower-priced OTC products, saving you more and making your benefits go further! You can use your benefits to purchase OTC items including allergy medication, cough drops, first aid supplies, oral care, pain relievers, vitamins and more!

Can I use my OTC card at Walmart for food? ›

Approved items include fruits & vegetables, meats, dairy & more.

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