Which Medicare Advantage plans added a grocery allowance for 2026, and which dropped it?

Introduction

If you are comparing Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, a “grocery allowance” can feel like a make-or-break benefit. The hard part is that grocery benefits are not standardized, they can change every year, and they are often limited to specific members who meet eligibility rules.

This article shows which Medicare Advantage plans added a grocery allowance for 2026 and which dropped it, using public Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plan benefit data. It is written for patients, caregivers, and older adults who want clear, non-commercial guidance.

Reference links were verified as live and publicly accessible on December 23, 2025.

Content

• What “grocery allowance” usually means in Medicare Advantage
• Why grocery benefits change from year to year
• How this 2026 added vs dropped list was built
• Plans that added a grocery allowance for 2026
• Plans that dropped a grocery allowance for 2026
• How to confirm your exact 2026 benefit and your eligibility
• If your plan dropped the allowance, practical next steps
• FAQ
• References

What “grocery allowance” usually means in Medicare Advantage

When people say “grocery allowance,” they are often talking about a Food and Produce benefit that gives you a dollar amount to spend on eligible healthy foods. In many cases:

• It is delivered through a spending card or “flex” style card.
• It may be offered only to certain members, not everyone in the plan.
• It may be tied to rules for Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), which allows Medicare Advantage plans to offer certain non-medical supports to eligible members.

If you want a plain-English overview of how grocery and healthy food benefits are described, and why county-by-county differences matter, see:
https://understoodcare.com/uc-articles/deep-plan-by-plan-comparisons-of-grocery-benefits

Why grocery benefits change from year to year

Even if your plan had a grocery benefit in 2025, it can change for 2026. Common reasons include:

• Plan redesigns: Plans can adjust extra benefits, caps, and eligibility rules each year.
• Different benefit strategies by county: The same company can offer different benefits in different service areas.
• Program and model changes: Broader policy and program shifts can influence how plans structure extra benefits.
• Cost tradeoffs: Plans often balance extra benefits against premiums, cost sharing, and network design.

A practical takeaway: assume nothing carries over until you read your plan’s official 2026 documents.

How this 2026 added vs dropped list was built

To answer “added” vs “dropped” without using marketing materials, this article uses CMS public Plan Benefit Package (PBP) Benefits data for 2025 and 2026.

Here is what the list means in this article:

• “Grocery allowance” is defined as a plan reporting a Food and Produce benefit with a positive dollar maximum in CMS benefit fields (a sign of an actual allowance amount).
• “Added for 2026” means the plan did not show a positive Food and Produce allowance in 2025 but did in 2026.
• “Dropped for 2026” means the plan did show a positive Food and Produce allowance in 2025 but did not in 2026.

Important limits you should know:

• This list focuses on Food and Produce style allowances in CMS benefit data. It does not try to capture every possible food-related perk (for example, meal programs that are not structured as an allowance).
• Plans can also change by segment. That is why each entry includes Contract, Plan, and Segment identifiers.

Plans that added a grocery allowance for 2026

How to read the plan identifiers

Each plan is listed as:

• Plan name
• Plan type (example: HMO)
• Contract (example: H1234)
• Plan (example: 001)
• Segment (example: 0)
• States (based on CMS service area data)

If you are not sure what plan you are in, the contract and plan number are often shown on your member materials, and they also appear in official plan documents.

Added in 2026: plan-by-plan list

• Align Senior Care
  • Advantage Care (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3274, Plan 005, Segment 0; States: CA)
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage Select (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H3447, Plan 012, Segment 0; States: IN)
  • Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H3447, Plan 013, Segment 0; States: IN)
• Care Improvement Plus
  • Care Improvement Plus (HMO) (HMO; Contract H6962, Plan 003, Segment 0; States: FL)
• CareSource
  • CareSource Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H1416, Plan 004, Segment 0; States: IN)
• Central Health Plan of California, Inc.
  • Central Health Medicare Plan (HMO) (HMO; Contract H5649, Plan 005, Segment 0; States: CA)
• Community First Health Plans
  • Community First Medicare Advantage (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3103, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: TX)
• Humana
  • HumanaChoice H5216-002 (PPO) (PPO; Contract H5216, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: TX)
• Molina Healthcare
  • Molina Dual Options MyCare Ohio (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) (HMO; Contract H8849, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: OH)
• SCAN Health Plan
  • SCAN Embrace (HMO) (HMO; Contract H1822, Plan 005, Segment 0; States: CA)
• SelectHealth
  • SelectHealth Medicare Dual (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H3815, Plan 013, Segment 0; States: UT)
• Sutter Health Plus
  • Sutter Health Plus Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3881, Plan 001, Segment 0; States: CA)
• The Health Plan of San Mateo
  • CareAdvantage (HMO) (HMO; Contract H6041, Plan 001, Segment 0; States: CA)
• UnitedHealthcare
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0017 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 090, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0018 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 091, Segment 0; States: CA)
• Wellcare
  • Wellcare Assist Open (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H0270, Plan 009, Segment 0; States: TN)

If you want help understanding how plans describe these benefits, and how flex cards usually work at checkout, see:
https://understoodcare.com/uc-articles/can-you-use-a-medicare-flex-card-for-grocery-delivery-instacart-walmart-amazon

Plans that dropped a grocery allowance for 2026

A plan can “drop” a grocery allowance in more than one way. It might remove the allowance entirely, reduce it to zero in reported maximums, or replace it with a different structure (such as a different supplemental benefit). That is why you should always confirm in official plan documents.

Dropped in 2026: plan-by-plan list

• Aetna
  • Aetna Medicare Assure Value Plus (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H2663, Plan 031, Segment 0; States: TX)
  • Aetna Medicare Assure Value (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H2663, Plan 032, Segment 0; States: TX)
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage Select (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H3447, Plan 009, Segment 0; States: IN)
• BCBSRI
  • BlueCHiP for Medicare Value (HMO) (HMO; Contract H9884, Plan 003, Segment 0; States: RI)
  • BlueCHiP for Medicare Standard (HMO) (HMO; Contract H9884, Plan 004, Segment 0; States: RI)
• Braven Health
  • Braven Health (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3360, Plan 010, Segment 0; States: NJ)
  • Braven Health (PPO) (PPO; Contract H3360, Plan 011, Segment 0; States: NJ)
  • Braven Health (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3360, Plan 012, Segment 0; States: NJ)
  • Braven Health (PPO) (PPO; Contract H3360, Plan 013, Segment 0; States: NJ)
• CarePlus Health Plans
  • CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. (HMO) (HMO; Contract H1019, Plan 084, Segment 0; States: FL)
• Cigna
  • Cigna True Choice Medicare (HMO) (HMO; Contract H0432, Plan 113, Segment 0; States: AZ)
  • Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO) (PPO; Contract H0432, Plan 114, Segment 0; States: AZ)
  • Cigna True Choice Medicare (HMO) (HMO; Contract H0432, Plan 115, Segment 0; States: AZ)
  • Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO) (PPO; Contract H0432, Plan 116, Segment 0; States: AZ)
• Commonwealth Care Alliance
  • Commonwealth Care Alliance (HMO SNP) (HMO; Contract H6847, Plan 001, Segment 0; States: MA)
  • Commonwealth Care Alliance (HMO SNP) (HMO; Contract H6847, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: MA)
• Devoted Health
  • Devoted Health Prime (HMO) (HMO; Contract H8173, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: AZ)
  • Devoted Health Prime (PPO) (PPO; Contract H8173, Plan 004, Segment 0; States: AZ)
  • Devoted Health Prime (HMO) (HMO; Contract H8173, Plan 005, Segment 0; States: AZ)
  • Devoted Health Prime (PPO) (PPO; Contract H8173, Plan 006, Segment 0; States: AZ)
• Elevance Health
  • Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H0544, Plan 015, Segment 0; States: CT)
  • Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H0544, Plan 016, Segment 0; States: CT)
• Healthfirst
  • Healthfirst 65 Plus Plan (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3359, Plan 001, Segment 0; States: NY)
  • Healthfirst Life Improvement Plan (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3359, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: NY)
  • Healthfirst CompleteCare (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H3359, Plan 003, Segment 0; States: NY)
  • Healthfirst Signature (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3359, Plan 004, Segment 0; States: NY)
• Highmark
  • Community Blue Medicare HMO (HMO) (HMO; Contract H3916, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: PA)
  • Community Blue Medicare PPO (PPO) (PPO; Contract H3916, Plan 003, Segment 0; States: PA)
• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
  • Horizon OMNIA (HMO) (HMO; Contract H5617, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: NJ)
• Independence Blue Cross
  • Personal Choice 65 Prime (HMO) (HMO; Contract H7741, Plan 001, Segment 0; States: PA)
  • Personal Choice 65 (PPO) (PPO; Contract H7741, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: PA)
• Kaiser Permanente
  • Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (HMO) (HMO; Contract H0050, Plan 022, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (HMO) (HMO; Contract H0050, Plan 023, Segment 0; States: CA)
• L.A. Care
  • L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO) (HMO; Contract H5296, Plan 004, Segment 0; States: CA)
• Medical Mutual of Ohio
  • MedMutual Medicare PPO (PPO) (PPO; Contract H2336, Plan 030, Segment 0; States: OH)
  • MedMutual Medicare HMO (HMO) (HMO; Contract H2336, Plan 031, Segment 0; States: OH)
• Network Health
  • Network Health Medicare Advantage Plan (PPO) (PPO; Contract H5213, Plan 004, Segment 0; States: WI)
• Oscar
  • Oscar Medicare Advantage (HMO) (HMO; Contract H5911, Plan 002, Segment 0; States: TX)
  • Oscar Medicare Advantage (HMO) (HMO; Contract H5911, Plan 003, Segment 0; States: TX)
• Priority Health
  • Priority Health Medicare (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H9613, Plan 017, Segment 0; States: MI)
  • Priority Health Medicare (PPO) (PPO; Contract H9613, Plan 018, Segment 0; States: MI)
• SelectHealth
  • SelectHealth Medicare Dual (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H3815, Plan 012, Segment 0; States: UT)
• Tufts Health Plan
  • Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO (HMO) (HMO; Contract H2256, Plan 004, Segment 0; States: MA)
  • Tufts Medicare Preferred PPO (PPO) (PPO; Contract H2256, Plan 005, Segment 0; States: MA)
• UnitedHealthcare
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0009 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 082, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0010 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 083, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0011 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 084, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0012 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 085, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0013 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 086, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0014 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 087, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0015 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 088, Segment 0; States: CA)
  • AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0016 (HMO-POS) (HMO-POS; Contract H0544, Plan 089, Segment 0; States: CA)
• Wellcare
  • Wellcare Assist Open (HMO D-SNP) (HMO; Contract H0270, Plan 008, Segment 0; States: TN)

If you want a practical checklist of what to look for in plan documents, including “Food and Produce” wording and common limits, see:
https://understoodcare.com/uc-articles/food-and-produce-benefit-rules-eligibility-allowed-items-and-how-to-avoid-denials

How to confirm your exact 2026 benefit and your eligibility

If you are trying to avoid surprises on January 1, 2026, focus on two separate questions: does the plan offer the benefit, and do you personally qualify.

Step 1: Find the official 2026 plan documents

Look for your plan’s:

• Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
• Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or Summary of Benefits

These documents are where the plan must describe what changed for 2026 and what rules apply.

Step 2: Search the documents using the right keywords

When you read the document (or use the search function), look for:

• Food and Produce
• Healthy food
• Grocery allowance
• Flex card
• SSBCI
• Chronic condition benefit

Step 3: Confirm eligibility rules, not just the headline amount

Many grocery allowances are not “for everyone on Medicare.” You may need:

• A qualifying chronic condition (rules are plan-specific)
• Clinical or care management criteria the plan uses
• Enrollment in a Special Needs Plan (in many cases)

If you are a caregiver, ask the plan to explain eligibility in simple terms and to tell you what documentation is needed.

If your plan dropped the allowance, practical next steps

If you expected a grocery allowance and it appears to be gone for 2026, you still have options.

Re-check whether the benefit was replaced or renamed

Sometimes a plan drops a specific allowance but adds:

• Meal benefits
• Broader “supports for living” structures
• Different supplemental benefits

Compare your alternatives in your county

A grocery benefit is only one piece of value. When you compare plans, also look at:

• Your doctors and hospitals
• Your prescription coverage and pharmacy
• Your maximum out-of-pocket limit
• Prior authorization rules

For broader 2026 benefit trend context, see:
understoodcare.com/uc-articles/medicare-advantage-2026-are-plans-cutting-benefits-like-rides-vision-and-dental-what-to-watch

Protect your health if food access is getting harder

If food costs are rising or your benefit changed, small steps can still help:

• Plan simple, repeatable meals
• Use frozen and canned options when fresh foods are expensive
• Ask your clinician if you qualify for nutrition support programs in your community

Nutrition guidance written for older adults is available from federal health agencies, and can help you build a realistic plan even on a tight budget.

FAQ

• What is a Medicare Advantage grocery allowance for 2026?
  It is typically a Food and Produce benefit that provides a dollar amount for eligible healthy foods, often delivered through a spending card.
• Do all Medicare Advantage plans offer a grocery allowance?
  No. Many plans do not offer food allowances, and availability varies widely by plan type and by county.
• Is the grocery allowance available to everyone in the plan?
  Often, no. Many grocery benefits are tied to eligibility rules for members with certain chronic conditions and may require additional criteria.
• How can I tell if my plan added a grocery allowance for 2026?
  Check your plan’s 2026 ANOC and Evidence of Coverage and look for terms like Food and Produce, healthy food, grocery allowance, flex card, or SSBCI.
• How can I tell if my plan dropped the grocery allowance for 2026?
  Compare your 2025 and 2026 ANOC or Summary of Benefits and confirm with the plan whether the Food and Produce allowance is still offered and whether the amount changed.
• Can I use a Medicare flex card grocery allowance for Instacart, Walmart, or Amazon?
  Sometimes. It depends on the plan’s vendor network, approved retailers, and the plan’s rules for online purchases.
• What items are usually allowed with a healthy food or grocery allowance?
  Many plans restrict purchases to foods consistent with nutrition guidelines, and specific item rules vary by plan and vendor.
• If my plan dropped the grocery allowance, can I switch for 2026?
  You may be able to change plans during enrollment periods, but your options depend on timing, where you live, and your eligibility for specific plan types.

References

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “2026 PBP Benefits.” https://www.cms.gov/data-research/statistics-trends-and-reports/medicare-advantagepart-d-contract-and-enrollment-data/benefits-data/2026-pbp-benefits
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “2025 PBP Benefits.” https://www.cms.gov/data-research/statistics-trends-and-reports/medicare-advantagepart-d-contract-and-enrollment-data/benefits-data/2025-pbp-benefits Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). “Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Premiums and Benefits.” https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-2026-spotlight-a-first-look-at-plan-premiums-and-benefits/ KFF
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) (HPMS Memo, April 2019).” https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-plans/healthplansgeninfo/downloads/supplemental_benefits_chronically_ill_hpms_042419.pdf Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Medicare.gov. “Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans (PDF).” https://www.medicare.gov/publications/12026-understanding-medicare-advantage-plans.pdf Medicare
• National Institute on Aging (NIH). “Healthy Meal Planning: Tips for Older Adults.” https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-eating-nutrition-and-diet/healthy-meal-planning-tips-older-adults National Institute on Aging
• Nutrition.gov (U.S. government). “Older Adults.” https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/nutrition-life-stage/older-adults nutrition.gov

This information is for general education and does not replace medical advice from your own clinicians or care team. If you are considering PACE or have questions about PACE program food benefits, talk directly with your local PACE organization or a trusted advocate.