United Healthcare Discontinuing Renew Active Benefit for AARP Medicare Advantage (PPO) Plan in 2027

I live in Boise, Idaho, and currently have the “AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0001 (PPO)” plan from United Healthcare (UHC). I recently received an email from UHC with a link to the Annual Notice of Change 2027 document. As I started looking down and comparing the 2026 and 2027 plans, I noticed under “Fitness program” it shows “Covered” for 2026 and “Not covered” for 2027. Coincidentally, the local YMCA was holding a health fair for seniors this week and United Healthcare had a table there. I asked the woman at the table, who turned out to be the Market Growth Manager for our area, whether it was true that Renew Active would not be offered for my plan in 2027. She confirmed that it was true. She said that Renew Active WOULD be offered under the HMO version of my plan, but WOULD NOT be offered for the PPO version.

This makes no sense to me and just seems wrong! I use Renew Active to pay my YMCA membership and it is an important benefit to me. I assume UHC started this program with the intent of helping individuals stay healthy and fit to reduce healthcare costs. The UHC representative said I could switch to the HMO version of the plan and retain this benefit. But, I don’t want an HMO plan! I’m, for the most part, happy with the PPO plan I’ve had now for several years. I just want to retain my Renew Active benefit.

I found another topic on this forum: “AARP/UHC Renew Active change for 2025”. In that thread, a member provided the link below to file a grievance online with UHC. I just checked and the link is still valid. I intend to post a grievance on this matter and just wanted to give a heads up to others in the community who might not be aware of this change and may want to complain as well.

Submit an Appeal Online

https://memberforms.uhc.com/MR-AppealsandGrievance.html