Tip 1: Know Your Reset Dates
Your grocery and OTC benefit balances reset on a set schedule — monthly or quarterly, depending on your specific plan. Mark those reset dates on your calendar right now. Any unused balance at the time of reset is typically forfeited and cannot be carried over. Knowing exactly when your benefits refresh is the single most important step toward making sure you never lose a dollar of coverage you’ve already paid for.Tip 2: Check Your Balance Before Every Shopping Trip
Before you head to the store, open the UHC app or sign in to your member portal to see your current available balance. This takes less than a minute and prevents unpleasant surprises at checkout. When you know exactly how much you have, you can plan your purchases around your allowance — and top up with your own payment only when necessary.Tip 3: Split Your Shopping Cart Strategically
When you shop at a retailer that accepts your UCard for both grocery and OTC items, load your cart with UCard-eligible items first so you have a clear picture of what will be covered. At checkout, eligible items automatically deduct from the appropriate allowance. If your cart also includes non-eligible items, the transaction is split at the register — your UCard covers what it can, and you pay the remainder separately. Planning your cart this way keeps you in control and avoids confusion at the checkout lane.Tip 4: Use the OTC Catalog for Convenience
Many plans include access to an online OTC ordering catalog — often through a partner like NationsOTC — where you can browse hundreds of eligible health and wellness products, place an order from home, and have items shipped directly to your door at no additional cost. This is especially useful for vitamins, pain relievers, first-aid supplies, and other health staples you replenish every month. Check your member portal to see whether your plan includes this benefit and how to place your first order.Tip 5: Complete Health Activities Early to Earn Rewards
If your plan includes a rewards program, prioritize high-value activities at the start of the year. Completing your Annual Wellness Visit and your Health Assessment early can unlock significant reward credits that post directly to your UCard — effectively adding to your grocery and OTC spending power for the rest of the year. Don’t wait until December to take action; rewards earned early give you more time to put them to use.Tip 6: Take Advantage of Fitness Benefits Year-Round
It’s easy to sign up for a gym access benefit and then let it go unused. Treat your fitness sessions the same way you treat medical appointments — schedule them in advance and keep them on your calendar. Even two or three visits per week adds meaningful value to your plan over the course of a year, and staying active supports the overall health outcomes your plan is designed to encourage.Tip 7: Use the Store Locator to Discover New Participating Stores
The list of stores that accept your UCard can vary by plan, and new locations are added throughout the year. Open the store locator in your member portal every few months to see whether any new participating retailers have been added in your area. You may find a grocery store, pharmacy, or health retailer that’s more convenient than the one you’ve been using — saving you both time and travel.Tip 8: Save Your Receipts
Make a habit of holding onto your grocery and OTC purchase receipts for at least 30 days after each transaction. If an eligible item fails to deduct from your UCard correctly at checkout, your receipt is the documentation you’ll need to request a manual credit from member services. A quick photo on your phone is all it takes to have a backup record ready if anything needs to be resolved.Tip 9: Set Up Account Notifications
Your member portal lets you opt in to alerts that keep you informed without any extra effort on your part. Head to your account settings and enable notifications for:- Low balance alerts — so you know when your allowance is running low before a shopping trip
- Benefit refresh reminders — so you never forget when your balance resets
- New reward opportunities — so you can act on high-value activities as soon as they become available
- Expiring reward balances — so earned credits don’t disappear before you use them
Tip 10: Call Member Services When in Doubt
If you’re ever unsure whether an item is covered, a store participates, or a transaction looks incorrect, call the number on the back of your UCard. Member services can check eligibility, dispute a charge, or explain your specific plan benefits.
Quick Reference: UCard at a Glance
Check Balance
Sign in at uhc.com or the UHC app anytime to view your current grocery, OTC, and rewards balances before you shop.
Find Stores
Use the store locator in your member portal to find participating grocery stores, pharmacies, and retailers near you.
Earn Rewards
Complete health activities — like your Annual Wellness Visit and Health Assessment — to add reward dollars directly to your card.
Get Help
Call the number on the back of your UCard for support with eligibility questions, transaction disputes, or plan-specific details.