New year, new UCard for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan members

New for 2027, UnitedHealthcare individual Medicare Advantage plan members will receive a separate member ID card plus a new and improved UCard. Depending on your plan and health needs, you may be able to use your UCard to spend earned rewards or pay for eligible over-the-counter (OTC) products, healthy foods and even utility bills.

Based on member feedback, we’re separating the UCard from the member ID card. Your new UCard will be backed by Mastercard for security, reliability and peace of mind. And as long as you remain a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan member, you can keep the same UCard for up to three years.

If you’re already a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan member and have a UCard, you should continue to use the card until December 31, 2026. Once 2027 plan coverage starts and the new UCard is activated, you should securely dispose of your old UCard.

You should receive both the new UCard and your new member ID card in the mail before the plan year begins in January 2027. If your plan only includes rewards, you will receive your UCard after earning your first reward in 2027.

OTC, food and utility benefits have expiration time frames. Any rewards balance left at the end of the year will be available to spend with your new UCard. You can continue to view your balances, expiration details and UCard activity through the UCard Hub on the member site or via the UnitedHealthcare app.

Remember, you can lock and unlock your rewards balance for greater control of when your rewards are spent.

You will not need to bring your UCard when visiting a provider. Instead, your separate member ID card is all that will be required when visiting your health care provider or filling a prescription. You may still want to carry your UCard with you should you wish to use it while out and about.

You will not need your member ID card to purchase OTC products in store or online. Note that eligibility verification may be required to use OTC credits to pay for healthy foods and utilities. Read more about eligibility for this benefit.

A digital version of the new UCard will be available in the UnitedHealthcare app and on the member site. The digital UCard barcode in the app can be used at participating retailers when you check out. You can also shop online.