UnitedHealthcare UCard (OTC Card): 2027 Changes, Stores and Balance
Reviewed October 9, 2026. The UnitedHealthcare UCard is the benefit card for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members, and it’s what most people mean by the “United Healthcare OTC card.” Depending on your plan, it holds credits for over-the-counter (OTC) products, healthy food and utilities for eligible members, and earned rewards, and you can use it at more than 70,000 participating stores.
Quick answer: Check your UCard balance in the UCard Hub on your member site or in the UnitedHealthcare app, and activate a new card at activate.uhc.com or in the app. Starting in 2027, your UCard and member ID card become separate cards, the UCard is backed by Mastercard, and using credit on healthy food and utilities requires a verified qualifying chronic condition.
What the UnitedHealthcare UCard holds
| Credit | Who gets it | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| OTC credit | Members of plans with an OTC benefit | Covered over-the-counter health products |
| Healthy food | Eligible members (chronic-condition rules apply) | Healthy groceries at participating stores |
| Utilities | Eligible members | Eligible home utility bills paid directly to participating companies that accept Mastercard |
| Rewards | Varies by plan | Earned rewards you can spend on eligible items |
| CareFlex credits | Some plans | Depends on plan |
Not every UCard carries every credit, and amounts vary by plan. UnitedHealthcare lists some items the OTC credit doesn’t cover, including probiotics, cosmetics, hygiene products and weight-loss products. Source: UnitedHealthcare: UCard.
What’s changing on the UCard for 2027
UnitedHealthcare announced its 2027 Medicare Advantage plans on October 1, 2026. The UCard changes are:
- Two cards: members get a dedicated Member ID card for health plan information and an enhanced UCard for benefit credits and rewards. If you’re in a group Medicare Advantage plan that offers the UCard, your UCard stays your member ID card.
- Mastercard: the new UCard is backed by Mastercard, with real-time utility payments for qualifying D-SNP members and more companies accepting direct utility payments.
- Rewards lock: you can lock and unlock your rewards balance.
- Chronic-condition verification: to spend monthly credit on healthy food and utilities, you need a verified qualifying chronic condition and more complex health needs. Examples include diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure, chronic high blood pressure and chronic high cholesterol, and you must be at high risk for hospitalization and eligible for intensive care coordination. Verification is specific to your plan provider, so if you change carriers you must be verified again.
UnitedHealthcare also notes that using the utilities benefit may count as income for housing assistance, so check with your housing authority. Sources: UnitedHealthcare 2027 plans and the UCard page above.
Where to use your United Healthcare OTC card
UnitedHealthcare says members can use their benefits at more than 70,000 participating retail locations nationwide, and its 2027 plans add expanded retail and payment networks. Use the Store Finder in the UCard Hub or app to see participating stores near you. For store-by-store details, see what stores accept the UnitedHealthcare OTC card, whether Target accepts the UCard and using OTC benefits at Walmart.
UnitedHealthcare UCard catalog and balance
- Sign in to the UCard Hub on your member site (member.uhc.com/ucard/balances) or open the UnitedHealthcare app.
- View your balance for each credit on your card.
- Browse the catalog of eligible items and shop online for delivery, or use the app to find stores.
Credits have expiration timeframes, and UnitedHealthcare says to check your Evidence of Coverage for yours; some plans’ credits expire at the end of each month or quarter. Our UnitedHealthcare OTC catalog guide walks through ordering, and how to check your OTC card balance covers other plans.
How to activate your UCard
Activate a new UCard online at activate.uhc.com or in the UnitedHealthcare app. If you have questions, call the member services number on the back of your card.
Food benefits and the UCard
Healthy food credit is a special supplemental benefit for chronically ill enrollees. If you qualify, it can pay for groceries at participating stores. Read who qualifies for the UnitedHealthcare healthy food card for details.
Other UnitedHealthcare extra benefits
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans may also include Renew Active fitness, routine vision coverage and dental benefits. If you’re comparing plans for 2027 during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7, 2026), see how to find Medicare Advantage plans with OTC benefits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the United Healthcare OTC card?
It’s the UnitedHealthcare UCard, which holds your OTC credit and, depending on your plan, food, utility and rewards credits.
Where can I use my UnitedHealthcare UCard?
At more than 70,000 participating stores nationwide. Use the Store Finder in the UCard Hub or the UnitedHealthcare app to find stores near you.
How do I check my UCard balance?
Sign in to the UCard Hub on your member site or in the UnitedHealthcare app.
Is my UCard still my member ID card in 2027?
For individual Medicare Advantage plans, no. Starting in 2027, you get a separate Member ID card and an enhanced UCard. Group plan members who have the UCard keep using it as their member ID.
Can I use my UCard for groceries?
Only if you’re eligible for the healthy food benefit. In 2027 that requires a verified qualifying chronic condition.
Does my UCard balance roll over?
It depends on your plan. Check your Evidence of Coverage for when each credit expires.
This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by UnitedHealthcare or any U.S. government agency. Benefits vary by plan and county; check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage or call the number on your member ID card.