Making it easy for D-SNP members

As we’ve shared, we’ll be offering supplemental and non-medical benefits through Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) in 2026. These benefits—like healthy food—can make a big difference, so we thoughtfully crafted a process to verify a D-SNP member’s qualifying condition and continue providing benefits in 2026.
 

What does this mean for current members?

If your client is a UnitedHealthcare D-SNP member in 2025 and stays with us in 2026, they don’t need to do anything. Our process is designed to be simple—over 90% of current members are already verified and ready to keep their SSBCI benefits. Those members will get a confirmation letter or email letting them know they’ve already been verified and have access to SSBCI benefits in 2026. 
 

If we can’t confirm a qualifying condition with the information we have, the member will receive a letter or email explaining what’s missing and what steps to take next.
 

What about new members?

If you’re enrolling someone in a UnitedHealthcare D-SNP for the first time, you will need to complete the Additional Benefit Verification step for your client during enrollment. The Additional Benefit Verification step can be found in all online enrollments and paper applications. If using a paper application, the Additional Benefit Verification form should be returned with the application. This step asks the client to:

• Share their qualifying condition (like diabetes or chronic high blood pressure)
• Provide their treating physician’s contact information
• Sign a verification release giving us permission to check claims data and other records for prior diagnoses and to work with their doctor to confirm the condition
   

Here’s the good news: New members who self-indicate a qualifying condition will have 60 days of SSBCI benefits (starting when their plan becomes effective) while we finish verification. If they don’t self-indicate, they won’t have access to benefits like healthy food until verification is complete.
 

For more details, check out the SSBCI Quick Reference Guide.

_{* Benefits, features and/or devices may vary by plan/area. Limitations, exclusions and/or network restrictions may apply. The healthy food benefit is a special supplemental benefit only available to chronically ill enrollees with a qualifying condition, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure, chronic high blood pressure and/or chronic high cholesterol, and who also meet all applicable plan coverage criteria. There may be other qualified chronic conditions not listed.}

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