UnitedHealthcare Healthy Food Card 2025 Review (UCard)
- The UnitedHealthcare healthy food card allows Medicare Advantage plan members to pay for food, health products and even utility bills. See our review of the 2025 UHC healthy food card.
UnitedHealthcare UCard Food Card Quick Glance:
| Topic | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A reloadable member card that can be used (on eligible plans) to purchase approved healthy foods and over-the-counter (OTC) items, and in many cases pay certain utility bills. It also functions as your plan ID card for provider visits. | Learn More About UHC |
| Who gets it | Availability and monthly credit amounts vary by specific Medicare Advantage plan and service area. Some plans (including many Dual Special Needs Plans) include combined credits for healthy food, OTC, and utilities. Eligibility and amounts are plan-specific. | Learn More About UHC |
| Allowance timing | Credits typically load monthly and may expire at the end of the cycle if unused (rules vary by plan—check your plan materials or app for exact timing). | Learn More About UHC |
| What you can buy | Approved healthy foods (e.g., produce, meats, dairy, pantry staples), approved OTC items (e.g., pain relievers, cold/flu, vitamins, first aid), and—on eligible plans—certain utility bills (electric, gas, water, internet, etc.). Item eligibility is enforced at checkout and can be checked in the member app/website. | Learn More About UHC |
| Where you can use it | In-store at participating retailers and online/phone ordering through the program site or member app (availability varies by market). The program approves items automatically at participating merchants. | Learn More About UHC |
| How to shop | In-store: Swipe your UCard first at checkout. Online/phone: Order approved items via the member site/app or catalog (where offered). Use the app to scan barcodes in-store to confirm eligibility before buying. |
Learn More About UHC |
| Activation & account tools | Activate your card (online or by phone) before using spending credits. Manage your balance, view approved items, and show your digital UCard in the UnitedHealthcare app or member website. | Learn More About UHC |
| Limits & exclusions | Can’t be used for cash back, alcohol, tobacco, or non-approved items. Not for out-of-pocket medical costs such as copays, coinsurance, or deductibles. Retailer participation and covered items can change; credits generally don’t roll over unless stated by your plan. | Learn More About UHC |
| Tip for shoppers | Before you go, check your available credit and approved item list in the app. If shopping in-store, scan items to confirm eligibility and avoid surprises at checkout. | Learn More About UHC |
Notes: Benefits, eligible items, retailers, credit amounts and rules vary by plan and location and may change each year. Always refer to your specific plan materials or the member app/site for current details.
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. UnitedHealthcare offers the UCard that can be used to help pay for things like groceries and OTC products.
Healthy food cards can often cover 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, which may be limited to qualified members of UnitedHealthcare Dual Special Needs (DSNP) Medicare Advantage plans.
What Is the UnitedHealthcare Healthy Food Benefit or Ucard for 2025?
The UnitedHealthcare healthy food card, or Ucard, is a plan member ID card that also serves as a pre-loaded debit card that may be used to buy food and over-the-counter health products.
The Ucard balance is replenished every month.
What Can I Buy With My Healthy Food Card (UCard)?
A UnitedHealthcare UCard may be used to purchase approved food items, over-the-counter medications and health items and even utility bills. Your 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.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan members can use the UnitedHealthcare app to scan products at the store to see if they're covered. Plan members can also log into the UHC plan member website to search for eligible groceries.
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.
Where Can I Use My UnitedHealthcare Healthy Food Card? (UCard)
A UnitedHealthcare healthy food card (UCard) can be used at participating stores including major retailers like:
- 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
- Check in at the gym
- Fill a prescription
- Buy qualifying healthy foods
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 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 2024, making UnitedHealthcare the most popular provider in the industry.
Helpadvisor.com is owned and operated by Tranzact, the parent company of TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, which is the owner/operator of Medicareadvantage.com and other websites mentioned on HelpAdvisor and which has a financial relationship with some of the carriers listed on HelpAdvisor.
Freed M, et al. (Aug 8, 2024). Medicare Advantage in 2024: Enrollment Update and Key Trends. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2024-enrollment-update-and-key-trends.
