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

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Intoduction

If you or someone you care for relies on help paying for essentials, a utility allowance can make a real difference. The hard part is that Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits can change from year to year, and the benefit may be labeled in different ways depending on the plan.

This guide uses public Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plan benefit data to identify Medicare Advantage plans that added a utility allowance for 2026 and plans that dropped it.

Reference links were verified as live and publicly accessible on January 13, 2026.

What this guide covers

What a Medicare Advantage utility allowance usually means
How to confirm whether you personally qualify for it in your plan
How this article identified plans that added or dropped the benefit
A plan-by-plan list of Medicare Advantage plans that added a utility allowance for 2026
A plan-by-plan list of Medicare Advantage plans that dropped a utility allowance for 2026
What to do next if your benefit changed

What a Medicare Advantage utility allowance is

A utility allowance in Medicare Advantage is typically a supplemental benefit that gives you a set dollar amount you can use toward certain household utility expenses. In many plans, it is bundled with other “allowance” benefits (for example, groceries or OTC items), but the rules can be very specific.

What it may help pay for

Depending on your plan, the allowance may apply to some combination of:

Electricity
Gas or heating fuel
Water
Internet
Phone service

What to watch for

Even if your plan advertises an allowance, the details matter. Before you rely on it, confirm:

Whether the benefit is available to all members or only to certain members
Whether it is tied to a specific program category (for example, a special eligibility group)
The benefit amount and how often it renews (monthly, quarterly, or yearly)
Whether unused funds roll over or expire
Whether it requires activation, enrollment, or documentation

How to check if your plan added or dropped a utility allowance for 2026

If you are managing this for yourself or someone else, these steps usually take less time than you expect and can prevent surprises.

Step 1: Find the plan identifiers on the member ID card

Most Medicare Advantage member ID cards include identifiers such as:

The contract code that starts with H
A plan number
Sometimes a segment number

Those identifiers help you match your plan to lists like the ones below.

Step 2: Look in your plan’s Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage

Plans typically describe benefit changes and the exact rules in documents like the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC). When you review them, search for terms like:

Utilities
Utility allowance
Allowance
Flex card
Bill pay

Step 3: Confirm the spending rules before you try to use it

If your plan added a utility allowance, confirm:

Which utility types are eligible
Whether you pay the bill yourself and get reimbursed, or whether the plan uses a specific payment method
Whether there are approved vendors or restrictions that can cause a “decline”

How this article identified plans that added or dropped a utility allowance

This article compared CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) Benefits data for 2025 versus 2026.

For this guide, a plan is treated as having a “utility allowance” when the CMS benefit data for that plan includes the words Utility or Utilities in the plan’s allowance or package naming fields for the year.

A plan is listed as:

Added for 2026 if it appears in both 2025 and 2026 data and includes Utility/Utilities in 2026 but not 2025.
Dropped for 2026 if it appears in both 2025 and 2026 data and includes Utility/Utilities in 2025 but not 2026.

Important note: Some plans may offer utility-related help but label it differently in CMS data. Always confirm in your plan documents.

Medicare Advantage plans that added a utility allowance for 2026

These are continuing plans (present in both 2025 and 2026 CMS data) that show a utility allowance in 2026 but not in 2025.

H0034-001 (seg 0): Hamaspik Medicare Select (HMO D-SNP) (Hamaspik, Inc.)
H0034-002 (seg 0): Hamaspik Medicare Choice (HMO D-SNP) (Hamaspik, Inc.)
H0976-001 (seg 0): SCAN Connections (HMO D-SNP) (SCAN Health Plan)
H0976-002 (seg 0): SCAN Connections at Home (HMO D-SNP) (SCAN Health Plan)
H0978-010 (seg 0): SCAN Strive (HMO C-SNP) (SCAN Health Plan)
H1225-003 (seg 0): Johns Hopkins Advantage MD D-SNP (HMO D-SNP) (Johns Hopkins Advantage MD)
H1290-019 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 019 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-020 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 020 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-021 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 021 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-022 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 022 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-023 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 023 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-024 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 024 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-033 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 033 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-034 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 034 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-037 (seg 1): DEVOTED PREMIUM 037 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-037 (seg 2): DEVOTED PREMIUM 037 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-039 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 039 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-041 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 041 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-042 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 042 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-043 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 043 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-044 (seg 2): DEVOTED PREMIUM 044 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-044 (seg 3): DEVOTED PREMIUM 044 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-052 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 052 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-053 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 053 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-054 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 054 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-055 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 055 FL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H1290-056 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 056 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-057 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 057 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-058 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 058 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-059 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 059 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-060 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 060 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-061 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 061 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-062 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 062 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-063 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 063 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-064 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 064 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-065 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 065 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1290-066 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 066 FL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H1822-006 (seg 0): SCAN Strive (HMO C-SNP) (SCAN Health Plan)
H1994-015 (seg 0): Select Health Medicare Dual (HMO D-SNP) (Select Health)
H1994-040 (seg 0): Select Health Medicare Dual (HMO D-SNP) (Select Health)
H2041-007 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 007 MO (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H2041-008 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 008 MO (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H2225-001 (seg 0): CCA Senior Care Options (HMO D-SNP) (Commonwealth Care Alliance Massachusetts)
H2526-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 003 OH (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H2686-004 (seg 1): DEVOTED CHOICE 004 HI (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H2686-004 (seg 3): DEVOTED CHOICE 004 HI (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H2686-006 (seg 1): DEVOTED CHOICE PREMIUM 006 HI (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H2686-006 (seg 2): DEVOTED CHOICE PREMIUM 006 HI (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H2686-008 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 008 HI (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H2686-010 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE PREMIUM 010 HI (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H2697-007 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 007 OH (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H2697-010 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 010 OH (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H2697-011 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 011 OH (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H2923-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 001 OR (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H2923-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 003 OR (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H2923-005 (seg 0): DEVOTED PREMIUM 005 OR (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H2923-006 (seg 0): DEVOTED PREMIUM 006 OR (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H3041-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 001 SC (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H3041-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED PREMIUM 003 SC (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H3080-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 001 AL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H3080-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 003 AL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H3080-004 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 004 AL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H3080-006 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 006 AL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H3080-007 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 007 AL (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H3291-002 (seg 0): PruittHealth Premier D-SNP (HMO D-SNP) (PruittHealth Premier)
H3467-002 (seg 0): ProCare Advantage - Kidney Care (HMO-POS C-SNP) (ProCare Advantage)
H3672-019 (seg 0): The Health Plan SecureCare SNP (HMO D-SNP) (The Health Plan)
H4091-002 (seg 0): Simpra Advantage Dual Care (PPO D-SNP) (Simpra Advantage)
H4279-001 (seg 0): UPMC for Life Complete Care (HMO D-SNP) (UPMC for Life Complete Care)
H4279-004 (seg 0): UPMC for Life Complete Care (HMO D-SNP) (UPMC for Life Complete Care)
H4624-003 (seg 0): Zing Select Care IN (HMO) (Zing Health)
H4624-006 (seg 0): Zing Select Care MI (HMO) (Zing Health)
H4624-022 (seg 0): Zing Elite Select MI (HMO) (Zing Health)
H4624-026 (seg 0): Zing Elite Select IL-IN (HMO) (Zing Health)
H4624-037 (seg 0): Zing Elite Select OH (HMO) (Zing Health)
H4624-038 (seg 0): Zing Select Care OH (HMO) (Zing Health)
H4624-043 (seg 0): Zing Elite Select TN-MS (HMO) (Zing Health)
H4624-044 (seg 0): Zing Select Care TN-MS (HMO) (Zing Health)
H4676-002 (seg 0): Troy Medicare for Dual-eligible Beneficiaries (HMO D-SNP) (Troy Medicare)
H4808-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 001 CO (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H5244-004 (seg 0): SCAN Strive (HMO C-SNP) (SCAN Health Plan)
H5299-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 001 NC (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H5299-006 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 006 NC (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H5299-009 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 009 NC (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H5425-097 (seg 0): SCAN Strive (HMO C-SNP) (SCAN Health Plan)
H5425-098 (seg 0): SCAN Strive (HMO C-SNP) (SCAN Health Plan)
H5453-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 001 GA (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H5453-004 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 004 GA (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H5453-010 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 010 GA (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H6453-019 (seg 0): Blue adVantage Dual Plus (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana)
H6586-002 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 002 AZ (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H6586-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 003 AZ (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H6852-005 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 005 PA (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H6852-007 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 007 PA (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H6876-001 (seg 0): Zing Open Choice MI (PPO) (Zing Health)
H6876-004 (seg 0): Zing Open Choice IN (PPO) (Zing Health)
H6876-009 (seg 0): Zing Open Choice TN (PPO) (Zing Health)
H7028-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 001 SC (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H7123-001 (seg 0): UPMC for Life Complete Care (HMO D-SNP) (UPMC for Life Complete Care)
H7147-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 001 CO (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H7147-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL PLUS 003 CO (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7147-004 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 004 CO (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H7147-007 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 007 CO (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7151-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 001 IL (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H7199-002 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE PREMIUM 002 OR (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H7355-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 001 MS (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H7355-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL CHOICE PLUS 003 MS (PPO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7355-004 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL CHOICE 004 MS (PPO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7397-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL CHOICE PLUS 003 AR (PPO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7397-004 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL CHOICE 004 AR (PPO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7605-004 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 004 TN (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H7993-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 003 TX (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H7993-004 (seg 0): DEVOTED PREMIUM 004 TX (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H7993-007 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 007 TX (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H7993-010 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 010 TX (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7993-012 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 012 TX (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7993-014 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 014 TX (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H7993-015 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 015 TX (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7993-017 (seg 0): DEVOTED DUAL 017 TX (HMO D-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H7993-019 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 019 TX (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H8093-002 (seg 0): Georgia Health Advantage Choice (HMO I-SNP) (Georgia Health Advantage)
H8173-014 (seg 0): DEVOTED C-SNP PREMIUM 014 AZ (HMO C-SNP) (Devoted Health)
H8173-016 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 016 AZ (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H8173-020 (seg 0): DEVOTED CORE 020 AZ (HMO) (Devoted Health)
H8604-014 (seg 1): The Health Plan SecureChoice Optimum (PPO) (The Health Plan)
H8604-014 (seg 2): The Health Plan SecureChoice Optimum (PPO) (The Health Plan)
H8902-009 (seg 0): SCAN Strive Texas (HMO C-SNP) (SCAN Health Plan)
H8917-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 001 WA (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H9700-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 001 NC (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H9700-003 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 003 NC (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H9700-005 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 005 NC (PPO) (Devoted Health)
H9888-001 (seg 0): DEVOTED CHOICE 001 AL (PPO) (Devoted Health)

Medicare Advantage plans that dropped a utility allowance for 2026

These are continuing plans (present in both 2025 and 2026 CMS data) that show a utility allowance in 2025 but not in 2026.

H0029-007 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Allwell)
H0029-008 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Allwell)
H0029-010 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Allwell)
H0074-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H0111-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H0174-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H0174-006 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H0174-022 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H0351-066 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H0351-068 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H0712-005 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H0712-029 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H0908-001 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H0908-006 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H0913-013 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1032-202 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1112-006 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1112-033 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1112-046 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1215-001 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1395-001 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1416-033 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Harmony (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1416-034 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1416-035 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1416-043 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty Nurture (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1416-044 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1416-081 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1664-005 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H1664-012 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H1862-003 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1862-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1862-006 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H1914-008 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H2117-002 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H2174-001 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Select (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Trillium)
H2174-012 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Trillium)
H2174-013 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Trillium)
H2491-025 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H2775-112 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H2775-115 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H2915-002 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H3071-002 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Community Advantage Plan (HMO) (Clear Spring Health)
H3259-003 (seg 0): BlueCare Plus Select (HMO D-SNP) (BlueCare Plus Tennessee)
H3561-007 (seg 0): Wellcare CalViva Health Dual Align (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Health Net)
H3561-008 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Align (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Health Net)
H3561-009 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Health Net)
H3975-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H4073-002 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H4073-003 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H4537-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H4624-023 (seg 0): Zing ESRD Select MI (HMO C-SNP) (Zing Health)
H4661-003 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H4868-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H4868-014 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H5294-010 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H5294-015 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H5454-001 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Essential (HMO) (Clear Spring Health)
H5454-002 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Essential (HMO) (Clear Spring Health)
H5454-005 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Essential (HMO C-SNP) (Clear Spring Health)
H5454-006 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Essential (HMO C-SNP) (Clear Spring Health)
H5475-001 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H5475-039 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H5590-008 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H5590-010 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Align (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H5599-003 (seg 0): Wellcare Fidelis Dual Plus (HMO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Fidelis Care)
H5965-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H5965-006 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H6379-001 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Essential (HMO) (Clear Spring Health)
H6379-002 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Essential (HMO C-SNP) (Clear Spring Health)
H6550-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H6550-009 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H6672-003 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Silver Plan (HMO C-SNP) (Clear Spring Health)
H6672-005 (seg 0): Clear Spring Health Select Plus (HMO) (Clear Spring Health)
H6988-004 (seg 0): Centers Plan for Medicaid Advantage Plus (HMO D-SNP) (Centers Plan for Healthy Living)
H7518-003 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H8189-001 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H8189-007 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H8385-004 (seg 0): Align ChoicePlus (PPO) (Align powered by Sanford Health Plan)
H8967-003 (seg 0): Align Dual Partnership (HMO D-SNP) (Great Plains Medicare Advantage)
H9364-002 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H9364-003 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H9387-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access Open (PPO D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H9630-010 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H9630-011 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H9630-014 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare by Allwell)
H9730-003 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Access (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H9730-004 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)
H9730-011 (seg 0): Wellcare Dual Reserve (HMO-POS D-SNP) (Wellcare)

If your utility allowance changed and you need support

If your plan dropped a utility allowance and you were depending on it, you are not alone. A change like this can affect your budget quickly.

These steps can help you regain control:

Gather your plan documents (ANOC and EOC) and highlight the exact language about the allowance.
Write down what you used it for (electricity, gas, water, phone, internet) and how often you used it.
Compare your options carefully. Sometimes a plan with a smaller headline allowance can still be a better fit if your doctors, drugs, and cost-sharing work better for you.
If you are helping someone else, keep a simple folder with the plan ID card, benefit documents, and notes from calls. It reduces stress later.

Related Understood Care resources

FAQ

What is a Medicare Advantage utility allowance for 2026?
It is a supplemental benefit in some Medicare Advantage plans that can help pay certain utility expenses, depending on plan rules.
Which Medicare Advantage plans added a utility allowance for 2026?
The “added” list above shows continuing plans that include Utility or Utilities in 2026 CMS benefit data but not in 2025.
Which Medicare Advantage plans dropped a utility allowance for 2026?
The “dropped” list above shows continuing plans that include Utility or Utilities in 2025 CMS benefit data but not in 2026.
Is a utility allowance the same as a Medicare flex card?
Not always. Some plans deliver utility help through an allowance card (often called a flex card), while other plans use different methods or restrict who can use it.
Do all members in a plan qualify for a utility allowance?
Not necessarily. Some allowances can be limited to certain member groups, and eligibility rules can apply even if the plan offers the benefit.
How do I confirm my Medicare Advantage utility allowance amount for 2026?
Check your plan’s ANOC and Evidence of Coverage for the benefit amount, benefit period, eligible utilities, and whether unused funds roll over.
Can Medicare Advantage pay my internet or phone bill as a “utility”?
Some plans treat certain services like internet or phone as eligible, but others do not. The allowed categories must be confirmed in plan documents.
What should I do if my utility allowance was removed and I can’t afford bills?
Start by confirming the change in your plan documents, then compare plan options and ask for help navigating resources and paperwork if needed.

References

Author

Deborah Hall

About: Deborah Hall’s primary specialty is other healthcare benefits access. She helps people apply for coverage, clears questions, and connects them to programs fast.

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

Intoduction

What this guide covers