Contributor ⭐

UHC Medicare UCard OTC Credits

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
January 6, 2023
48 replies
89237 views

Has anyone used this to purchase eligible items on Walmart.com or in store at Walmart, CVS etc?

I have $75 to spend on my Ucard which is this years version of 'healthy benefits' which worked great a couple of years ago once they got the wrinkles ironed out.

I go to Walmart.com and choose some refresh

eye drops (which are also sold through the UHC catalog at a higher price and Nature's Bounty B vitamins both of which are sold and shipped by Walmart.com

Both of these items are eligible items however neither of them triggers the $75 OTC credits either because Walmart doesn't see them as eligible (this is unlikely) or because UHC is not showing them that the card has $75 in OTC credits.

My account shows the $75 in OTC credits but under 'details' and OTC it also shows I have zero available OTC credits because I have already spent $75. This was on the very first day. I haven't purchased a thing.

The only thing I haven't tried and maybe I should is to go to Walmart and try and buy in the store because I do not want to be in line and have to end up bringing things back or buying them with my own money.

I sent screenshots of my attempted transactions to UHC showing that I am trying to purchase eligible items yet the $75 in OTC credits are not available. Their first response was to parrot that the items must be eligible and sold and shipped by Walmart.com - they considered that closing the issue like they were dealing with a dementia patient.

I believe this is just a scam so one has to buy things through their inadequate overpriced in house catalog.

After sending more screen shots they now, rather than look into it further have sent this to grievances and appeals.

Show previous replies

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GaryW138

Contributor ⭐

I am collecting info/ proof of my issues with Ucard and I am filing a complaint to CFPB ( consumer financial protection bureau).

T

TeresaS314819

Contributor ⭐

Hi Gary - please add my name to your complaint - Jamie Schlintz is my spouse who is covered by the U-Card. I used the link on the UHC website to connect with Walmart.com, which does NOT let me use the U-card as a payment option. I tried to purchase several items I had noted were on the UHC website from Walgreens and my card was not accepted. The only success I have had with using this card was to order online from UHC with order fulfilled by Walmart mail order.

I have worked for UHC in the past - did not realize they purchased the company I accepted employment from - they are masterful in creating many little subsidiaries that are actually part of UHC but work effectively in barring or delaying benefits for UHC members.

The only reason I selected the UHC plan was because of their relationship with AARP and my hopes that they would at least try to be professional - sadly not surprised to find it is the usual store front facade with a fancy window dressing and an empty store inside.

My husband went over a month without diabetic testing supplies because UHC was requiring his doctor to send 6-month follow-up notes, the only company allowed by UHC to fulfill these supplies did not even request the notes until after his prescription was past renewal and even after receiving the notes then required the doctor to respond to a further question on how many times he scanned during the day - I could not provide this information direct to them - it had to come from the doctor, who got it from me.

UHC is once again a monumental disappointment - Dave Wick and company are notorious for making a business look attractive by providing a bunch of empty promises, but no case management, no support when you need help, but a plethora of unwanted phone calls from reps who can tell you nothing about things you actually need to know about.

A

andreaY29

Contributor ⭐⭐

Hi, Gary ~ I am 100% onboard with you on this. Same thing happens me, over and over and over. Please add my name, Andrea LeFrancois, on your complaint. Maybe if enough of us echo what you're submitting we might get a resolution. Like yourself, I've been forced to shop at the U-Card Hub, settling for expensive prices. And, at my Wal-Mart, which is 13 miles away (I live in rural area) at most has 1 CSR, 2 Cashiers and absolutely zero of them could help me shop in-store due to lack of knowledge!!! I appreciate your efforts to tackle this. I, too, believe we are being forced shop U-Card Hub. Feel free to reply to me, or reach out via email [personal info removed]

J

JoannH100340

Contributor ⭐

Please add me too. JoAnn Hilton. I have cancer and rarely leave the house. I finally got the energy up, got to walmart and got what I needed and it accepted $23 of the $75 dollars. Also, there is a $35 minimum for shipping so it's use it all at once (on way overpriced crap I don't want/need just so I don't lose it all). I'm not a lucky one who gets $175 a month to spend on utilities, groceries, otc etc so this $75 is NECESSARY BUT USELESS. ILL GET RID OF UHC FOR THIS REASON

J

JoannH100340

Contributor ⭐

I'm furious. I can not get out to shop. Their "Optum Online Store" is not only expensive, always out of stock for items I need, but they also have a $35 minimum for shipping. So for me, who can't get out to shop, I either buy the $75 worth of things I don't really need since if I use, let's say $50, I lost the $25 because it's not enough to ship. ITS LIKE A SCAM. DID MEDICARE FORCE THEM TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE AND EXTRA MONEY SO THEY ARE GETTING BACK WHAT THEY CAN? WE COULD GET SO MUCH MORE *OF WHAT WE NEED AND WANT* FROM WALMART, WALGREENS, CVS. ETC, AND OFTEN AT SALES PRICES RATHER THAN THIS USELESS STORE OF *THEIRS* ONLINE. THERE SHOULD BE NO MINIMUM TO ORDER! PLEASE, LET'S GET THEM TO CHANGE THIS? PETITION OR SOMETHING? AGAIN, I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND AM NOT ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES GETTING $180 EXTRA PER MONTH TO SPEND ON GROCERIES, OTC, UTILITIES, ETC. I WILL DROP AARP UHC FOR THIS REASON ALONE!!! NOT TO MENTION MY COPAYS OUTSIDE OF PRIMARY ARE INSANE

D

DaveC310374

Contributor ⭐

I have the same problems. Then, if you have rewards, it takes from the rewards balance first, leaving the OTC balance. Since March 2021, this has all occurred.

K

katica56

Contributor ⭐

I also have the same problem when I called United Healthcare they oretty much told me tough. They had no solution. So I tried their on line Over the counter and they have very few choices, out of most items, and very expensive for the few things they have available. I have never had this problem in previous years.

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