UHC Ucard, are you kidding me?

D

Disgustedman

Senior Member
So, I am the proud owner of a Ucard, alloted $146 a month for food, but it's supposed to be "Healthy" OK, decided to check that.

Safeway, scan barcode for large sandwich (Unknown if it qualifies) Same with sirloin cut steaks. OK, I have enough cash in case.

Mixed vegetables? Yep, except no low sodium! No organic baked beans either! But can buy normal regular sodium faced vegetables. And original baked beans and steak house.

I'm still happy, but good lord, glad I can scan the barcodes so I know how (Healthy) my purchases are....😅😅😅😅
 

I'm no fan of UHC, but there are tens of thousands of products and 55,000 retail outlets where the U card is accepted so there is no questions errors will be made, like not including the low sodium version of a product that is accepted.
 
And, it's.probably all 'built In the program (plan)
UHC..United Health Care...the largest
isn't going TO GIVE you something for nothing
paid through the plan
 
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Must be an income thing @ $146.00 for food. I get $40.00 for OTC medical needs. Toothpaste & stuff like that. Something for nothing since my advantage plan has paid for everything with no copay for PCP office visits, lab work, hospital stays, major surgeries. I only have a $131.00 copay for a 100 day supply for Eliquis. Even that ends up zero cost since I have a company paid HSA that pays for that med. I view the $40.00 as a nice bonus. I can't complain about UHC it's worked really well for me
 
As a taxpayer, I hate those little extra Knick knacks that are included in some Medicare Advantage Plans, I would much rather have the insurers trim costs.

As a consumer, I say never look a gift horse in the mouth, take whatever is available and use it to your best advantage.

This year my BCBS zero premium plan dropped it’s small quarterly allowance for over the counter drugstore related items and I miss it but am fine without it.
 
Knight said:
Must be an income thing @ $146.00 for food. I get $40.00 for OTC medical needs. Toothpaste & stuff like that. Something for nothing since my advantage plan has paid for everything with no copay for PCP office visits, lab work, hospital stays, major surgeries. I only have a $131.00 copay for a 100 day supply for Eliquis. Even that ends up zero cost since I have a company paid HSA that pays for that med. I view the $40.00 as a nice bonus. I can't complain about UHC it's worked really well for me
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That very nicely describes it. I have the same thing. Last year, the card paid $50 quarterly for OTC products, this year $40. Many seniors on UHC plans are either unaware or skeptical of this benefit and leave money on the table by never using their UHC card to pay for OTC items.

This is my second year on a UHC plan and I have no complaints. Customer service is excellent; never a long wait, and claims are handled promptly.
 
KSav said:
I meant in the sense that it sounds like the card needs to be used only for specific products, like WIC cards.
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Actually yes, it is for specific items. No candy, soda pop or ice cream. No alcohol or tobacco.

Only "healthy" items. What sucks is I tried it at Walmart today and I could buy premium saltines, but generic wasn't permitted. It's a pita to scan everything first, but otherwise its sticker shock at checkout.
 
KSav said:
I meant in the sense that it sounds like the card needs to be used only for specific products, like WIC cards.
Click to expand...
WIC eligibility is income based, but UCard beneifts are available to anyone with a United Health Care Advantage plan, regardless of income. However, yes - the UCard only pays for specific products, including certain vitamins (not all) and certain foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products at participating stores. Not all stores accept the UCard.

As I was writing this, I see that Disgustedman just posted a similar response.

WIC eligibility requirements
 
MACKTEXAS said:
WIC eligibility is income based, but UCard beneifts are available to anyone with a United Health Care Advantage plan, regardless of income. However, yes - the UCard only pays for specific products, including certain vitamins (not all) and certain foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products at participating stores. Not all stores accept the UCard.

As I was writing this, I see that Disgustedman just posted a similar response.

WIC eligibility requirements
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Thanks, @MACKTEXAS; yes, that's exactly what I meant: not income but product specificity. Thanks!
 
i had that Ucard too but it wasn't for food, it was for drug store items that you could order from an online catalog or in a CVS or Walgreens ($50 a quarter). Use it or lose it. I have that same benefit on my new insurance. It's a Medicare benefit.
 

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