What to know about 2026 OTC, healthy food and utility benefit changes
UnitedHealthcare has announced that in 2026, eligibility requirements for using Medicare Advantage credits on healthy food and utilities will change due to the conclusion of the CMS Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model. While members will still receive monthly credits for over-the-counter products, those wishing to use funds for healthy food and utilities will now need to meet criteria for a qualifying chronic health condition.
HNH Insight
This article highlights a significant regulatory shift for 2026 where the expiration of the CMS VBID model restricts access to supplemental healthy food and utility benefits, requiring a chronic condition diagnosis for eligibility.
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