2. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Items Benefit

Qualification requirements for food and utilities

CMS is ending the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) program, which allowed Medicare Advantage plans to offer supplemental benefits, including the healthy food and utilities benefit, to members with enhanced needs, such as those in a dual-eligible special needs plan (D-SNP).

With VBID ending, Peoples Health and UnitedHealthcare will offer the healthy food and utilities benefit for its D-SNP members through a different program, Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), which is designed to support people with chronic health conditions. Here’s what that means for Peoples Health D-SNP members:

• All members receive a monthly allowance for OTC health and wellness items
• Members who qualify through verification of an eligible chronic condition can also spend the allowance on healthy food and utilities

New wellness support options

D-SNP members have new options for spending their benefit credit:

• Fitness items: dumbbells, exercise mats and fitness wearables
• The Helper Bees services: caregiver relief, weight management counseling, and help with in-home activities, like meal prep and light housekeeping

These options are available to all Peoples Health D-SNP members, not just those who have an eligible chronic condition.

3. Routine Dental Benefit

Most Peoples Health plans have a 50% coinsurance for comprehensive dental services, including fillings, crowns and root canals. What’s not changing

• These plans continue to cover comprehensive dental services at $0:
  • Peoples Health Dual Complete LA-S5 (HMO-POS D-SNP)
  • Peoples Health Secure Complete (HMO-POS D-SNP)
• Four plans offer comprehensive coverage through a Platinum Dental Rider