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If you’ve had traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) or a standard insurance card, you might wonder what makes the UCard different. The UCard isn’t just a health insurance ID — it’s a combined benefits card that gives eligible UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members access to everyday health perks that go well beyond hospital and doctor coverage.

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Traditional Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage with UCard

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Traditional Medicare (Parts A & B)

Original Medicare has been the foundation of senior health coverage for decades, but its scope is limited to core medical services:
  • Covers hospital stays (Part A) and outpatient and medical services (Part B)
  • Does not include prescription drug coverage — you need a separate Part D plan for that
  • Does not include dental, vision, or hearing coverage
  • Offers no grocery allowances, OTC credits, or fitness benefits
  • You receive a standard red and blue Medicare card — one card, one purpose

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UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage with UCard

A UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan builds on Original Medicare and packages everything into a single, more powerful card:
  • Covers everything Original Medicare covers (Parts A & B)
  • Often includes prescription drug coverage (Part D) bundled directly into the plan
  • May include dental, vision, and hearing benefits depending on your plan
  • Adds grocery allowances, OTC credits, fitness benefits, and a rewards program
  • All benefits load onto your single UCard — no separate cards to track or manage

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What You Get That Traditional Medicare Doesn’t Offer

These are the supplemental benefits that set Medicare Advantage apart from Original Medicare:

Grocery Allowance

Receive monthly or quarterly dollars loaded onto your UCard to spend on healthy foods at participating grocery stores. Traditional Medicare offers nothing similar.

OTC Credits

Your UCard comes pre-loaded with an allowance for vitamins, first aid supplies, and other eligible health products. This benefit is not available under Original Medicare.

Fitness Benefit

Access gym memberships and wellness programs through Renew Active at no additional cost. Traditional Medicare does not cover gym memberships or fitness programs.

Rewards Program

Earn benefit dollars for healthy behaviors such as completing wellness visits, health screenings, and other plan-approved activities — then spend those rewards on covered items.

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What Stays the Same

Your UCard also functions as your standard health insurance ID card. Show it at every doctor visit, hospital stay, lab appointment, or specialist visit — just as you would with any insurance card. Your medical, hospital, and prescription drug coverage works exactly the same way regardless of whether you use your supplemental benefits. The supplemental perks are an addition to your coverage, not a replacement for it.

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Is Medicare Advantage Right for You?

Medicare Advantage plans are a compelling option for many people, but it’s worth understanding how they work before enrolling. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans have networks of providers, so you’ll typically need to see in-network doctors and facilities to receive the full benefit of your coverage. The additional benefits — grocery allowances, OTC credits, fitness memberships, and rewards — are meaningful perks that can make a real difference in your daily health and budget. However, the right plan depends on your individual health needs, your preferred doctors and specialists, and where you live. Plan availability and benefit amounts vary significantly by location. To compare plans available in your area, visit medicare.gov or uhc.com.
Benefits, plan availability, and coverage details vary by location and plan type. Contact UnitedHealthcare at 1-800-555-0100 (TTY 711) or visit uhc.com to find plans available in your area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You may be able to keep your doctor, but it depends on whether they participate in the plan’s network. Before you enroll, check the provider directory at uhc.com to confirm that your preferred doctors, specialists, and facilities are in-network. Seeing out-of-network providers may cost more or may not be covered at all, depending on your plan type.
Many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans have low or $0 monthly premiums. The supplemental benefits — including the grocery allowance, OTC credits, and fitness benefit — are included as part of your plan. You do not pay an additional fee for the UCard itself. Premium amounts vary by plan and location, so review plan details carefully during enrollment.
Your UCard is tied directly to your UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. If you switch to a different plan or carrier, your UCard and all associated benefits end when your membership ends. Any unused benefit balances at the time of disenrollment are typically forfeited, so plan accordingly before making a coverage change.