2025 UnitedHealthcare UCard updates

The UnitedHealthcare UCard (member ID) makes it easier for Medicare Advantage members to access their benefits and programs so they can take advantage of their plan offerings. The following are some UCard updates for 2025.

Individual Medicare Advantage plans

• Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the primary care provider (PCP) name and phone number will be removed from some UCards. This change will affect most open access HMO, POS and PPO plans.
• The PCP name and phone number will continue to display on most referral plans
• UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans that have delegated risk arrangements will continue to display the delegated entity’s name on the front of the UCard, if desired by the delegated entity
  • Review the UCard PCP Information Removal — Frequently Asked Questions for more information
• Payer ID is moving to the front of the UCard
• Some UCards have switched over from a machine-readable bar code to a magnetic stripe for in-store purchases or spending rewards. However, providers don’t need these features to provide medical, dental, prescription, vision or hearing services to the member.
  

Medicare Group Advantage plans

• In 2025, UCard is expanding to a pilot of Medicare Group Advantage clients (400,000 members in 25+ employer groups, including TRS and ERS in Texas)
• Starting Jan. 1, 2025, impacted members will present their redesigned UCard. All other members will continue to present the standard UnitedHealthcare member ID card.

Other things to remember

• UCard does not need to be activated for you to verify eligibility or provide care services to members
• UCard cannot be used for member out-of-pocket expenses, including copays, coinsurance or deductibles
• You can download a copy of the member ID card when you verify eligibility and benefits in the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal