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Optimum HealthCare Grocery Card: Everyday Options Allowance

By Brian Monahan Updated October 10, 2026

Reviewed October 10, 2026. The Optimum HealthCare grocery card is the Everyday Options Allowance on certain Optimum HealthCare Medicare Advantage special needs plans in Florida. Eligible members get a monthly amount on a prepaid Benefits Mastercard to spend on healthy food, and on some plans utilities and assistive devices. It’s only for members who qualify through a chronic condition, and the amount depends on the plan.

Quick answer: On the 2026 Optimum plans we checked, the Everyday Options Allowance was $70 a month on Optimum Diamond Rewards (H5594-028) and Optimum Diamond (H5594-036), and not covered on two other plans. For 2027, Optimum says the allowance runs from $70 to $235 a month on select C-SNP and D-SNP plans, with eligibility confirmed by phone. Unused money expires at the end of each month.

Who Optimum HealthCare is

Optimum HealthCare, Inc. is a Florida HMO with a Medicare contract and a Florida Medicaid contract. It’s part of Elevance Health, which lists Optimum HealthCare among its affiliated local Medicare Advantage brands. Its official site is youroptimumhealthcare.com, and Member Services is 1-866-245-5360 (TTY 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 days a week from October 1 to March 31 and Monday to Friday from April 1 to September 30.

How the Optimum grocery card works

The card: Optimum’s 2026 Summaries of Benefits say allowances are loaded on the Benefits Mastercard Prepaid Card, issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. It works only in the U.S. and can’t be used to get cash.
The benefit name: Everyday Options Allowance.
What it covers: healthy foods (dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood and healthy pantry staples), and on many plans utilities and assistive devices.
How often: a monthly amount. Unused money expires at the end of each month.
Who qualifies: only members eligible for Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI).

2026 Optimum plans with a grocery allowance

2026 plan	Everyday Options (food)	OTC
Optimum Diamond Rewards (HMO C-SNP), H5594-028 (Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties)	$70 a month	$80 a month
Optimum Diamond (HMO C-SNP), H5594-036	$70 a month	$75 a month
Optimum Diamond Rewards (HMO C-SNP), H5594-034	Not covered	$25 a month
Optimum Diamond Savings (HMO C-SNP), H5594-030	Not covered	$35 a month

Source: Optimum HealthCare 2026 Summaries of Benefits for its chronic condition special needs plans (C-SNPs). The H5594-028 plan also lists a $500 yearly Active Fitness benefit. Amounts for Optimum’s D-SNP plans differ; check the plan’s own Summary of Benefits.

Who qualifies for the grocery allowance

Optimum says SSBCI benefits are for members who have “a high risk for hospitalization and require intensive care coordination to manage chronic conditions such as Chronic Kidney Diseases, Chronic Lung Disorders, Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure, or Diabetes.” The full list of conditions and criteria is in Chapter 4 of your plan’s Evidence of Coverage. To use the allowance you generally need to:

Be enrolled in an Optimum plan that includes the Everyday Options Allowance
Have a qualifying chronic condition and meet the plan’s other criteria
Confirm eligibility; for 2027 plans, Optimum says confirmation is required by phone

Because Optimum’s C-SNPs are for people with specific chronic conditions, many members of those plans qualify, but it isn’t automatic.

Optimum grocery card in 2027

For 2027, Optimum’s website lists:

An Everyday Options Allowance of $70 to $235 a month on select 2027 C-SNP and D-SNP plans, for food, produce, utilities and assistive devices
An OTC allowance of up to $50 a month, depending on the plan
A Part B premium reduction of up to $202.90 a month on select plans

Optimum hasn’t said which 2027 plan gets which amount on its home page, so compare each plan’s 2027 Summary of Benefits during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7, 2026). Our guide to comparing Medicare Advantage plans in Florida and the annual plan review checklist can help.

How to use and check your Optimum card

Activate the Benefits Mastercard using the instructions that come with it.
Check your balance using the information on the card or by calling Member Services at 1-866-245-5360.
Shop for eligible healthy foods at participating stores and pay with the card.
Pay for anything else, such as non-food items or anything over your balance, with another payment method.
Order OTC items through the member portal or Optimum’s OTC ordering page.

For general tips that apply to most plan cards, see how to check your OTC card balance and Medicare OTC cards explained.

Optimum vs. Freedom Health and other Florida food cards

Freedom Health is a sister Elevance plan in Florida with its own benefits; see Freedom Health plan OTC benefits. Many other Florida Medicare Advantage plans offer grocery allowances too. For an overview of how these programs work and who qualifies, read Medicare food and grocery allowance programs. And remember: there’s no government “free grocery card” for seniors; read the truth about flex cards.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Optimum HealthCare grocery card?

It’s the Everyday Options Allowance, loaded monthly on a prepaid Benefits Mastercard, for eligible members of certain Optimum special needs plans.

How much is the Optimum grocery allowance?

In 2026 it’s $70 a month on Optimum Diamond Rewards (H5594-028) and Optimum Diamond (H5594-036). For 2027, Optimum lists $70 to $235 a month on select plans.

Does the Optimum allowance roll over?

No. Optimum’s 2026 summaries say unused amounts expire at the end of each month.

Can I use the Optimum card for utilities?

On many plans, yes. The Everyday Options Allowance can cover utilities and assistive devices as well as food, if you’re eligible.

What is Optimum HealthCare’s phone number?

Member Services is 1-866-245-5360 (TTY 711).

This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by Optimum HealthCare, Elevance Health 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.