UnitedHealthcare OTC Benefits 2027: UCard Amounts, Stores and Changes
Reviewed October 23, 2026. UnitedHealthcare OTC benefits are paid as a credit loaded to the UnitedHealthcare UCard, the plan’s prepaid benefit card. The amount depends on your plan: for 2027 it ranges from a modest monthly credit on some plans to $250 a month on some Dual Complete (D-SNP) plans, and OTC-only credits load quarterly while credits that also cover food or utilities load monthly. You can use the UCard at more than 70,000 participating stores or order online.
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. Household goods such as toilet paper aren’t OTC items either; see can you buy toilet paper with an OTC card. Source: UnitedHealthcare: UCard.
UnitedHealthcare OTC benefit amounts: 2026 vs 2027
UnitedHealthcare doesn’t publish one OTC amount for all plans. Here are examples from UnitedHealthcare’s own 2027 Annual Notice of Change documents:
| Plan (2027 name) | 2026 OTC credit | 2027 OTC credit |
|---|---|---|
| UHC Dual Complete FL-QV2 (HMO-POS D-SNP), Florida (was FL-D002 in 2026) | $229 a month | $250 a month |
| UHC Dual Complete TX-S001 (Regional PPO D-SNP), Texas | $37 a month | $27 a month |
On these D-SNP plans, members who qualify for the special supplemental benefit for the chronically ill (SSBCI) can also spend the same credit on healthy food and certain utility bills; it is one shared credit, not an extra amount. Sources: 2027 ANOC, UHC Dual Complete FL-QV2 and 2027 ANOC, UHC Dual Complete TX-S001. Your plan’s amount may be different, so check your own Annual Notice of Change or Evidence of Coverage.
How UCard credits load and expire
- OTC-only benefits load quarterly.
- Benefits that include healthy food or utilities load monthly.
- Credits expire. UnitedHealthcare says OTC, food, utility and wellness credits have expiration timeframes, so unused money generally doesn’t carry over. Your Evidence of Coverage gives the exact rule.
Source: UnitedHealthcare: OTC, food and utilities benefits.
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.
For phone and app steps, see our guide to checking your UnitedHealthcare OTC card balance. 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.
How much is the UnitedHealthcare OTC benefit in 2027?
It depends on the plan. For example, UHC Dual Complete FL-QV2 has a $250 monthly credit in 2027 (up from $229), while UHC Dual Complete TX-S001 has $27 a month (down from $37). Check your plan’s 2027 Annual Notice of Change.
What were the UnitedHealthcare OTC benefits in 2026?
In 2026 the OTC credit also loaded to the UCard, which doubled as the member ID card. Your 2027 Annual Notice of Change shows your plan’s 2026 and 2027 amounts side by side.
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.