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Food is Medicine

What to know about 2026 OTC, healthy food and utility benefit changes

UnitedHealthcare·October 3, 2026
What to know about 2026 OTC, healthy food and utility benefit changes

UnitedHealthcare has issued guidance regarding the 2026 expiration of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model. This change impacts how Medicare Advantage plans, particularly Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), can offer supplemental credits for healthy food, utilities, and over-the-counter products.

HNH Insight

The article clarifies that the sunsetting of the federal VBID model is the primary driver for changes in how beneficiaries access non-medical supplemental benefits like grocery allowances in 2026.

Read original article on UnitedHealthcare
Medicare Advantage
OTC benefits
healthy food allowance
CMS
VBID

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