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grandparents-plans

UnitedHealthcare celebrates grandparents

At UnitedHealthcare®, we know the important role grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives. Many children live with one or both grandparents who serve as the main caregiver. Other grandparents give their love and support from close in town or far away. Whatever the case, we want to celebrate all grandparents. We recognize all you do, every day, to help raise happy, healthy kids.

Multi-generational families, including “grandfamilies,” are becoming more and more common. According to Generations United, grandfamilies are “families where grandparents, other relatives, or close family friends are raising children because the children’s parents are unable to do so.1

Just how special are grandparents?

Being a grandparent is rewarding. When grandparents, grandchildren and other relatives live together, it’s a chance to get to know one another better. It’s a chance to learn from one another. And it may draw you even closer than ever before.

  • Nearly 8 million children in the U.S. live in households headed by grandparents or other relatives.2
  • And in roughly 1 in 3 of these households, neither of the children’s parents live in the home.3

Serving as a parent or guardian to your grandchild can also be challenging. Children and caregivers in grandfamilies experience more significant health, mental health, social and financial challenges than those in the general population.4

UnitedHealthcare recognizes these challenges. And in celebrating grandparents, we're here to help you access health, wellness, nutrition and care resources to help you and your family live healthier lives.

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Grandfamilies Guide to Good Health

Raising grandchildren is very rewarding. But it's not always not easy. Our Grandfamilies Guide to Good Health can help. Inside, you’ll find tips to help keep your family healthy in:

Body — How to eat healthy, stretch your food dollars and get proper preventive care

Mind — Ways to help with mental health and substance use issues

Soul — Fun and rewarding things to do while spending time together

Dual Special Needs plans (D-SNP)

As a grandparent, taking care of your family means taking care of yourself, too. This includes having the right coverage for your needs. 

A Dual Special Needs plan, or D-SNP for short, is a type of health insurance plan for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. These plans are designed for people who may need more help because of disabilities, age or health conditions. A D-SNP plan works together with your Medicaid plan. You’ll keep all your Medicaid benefits. Plus, with a D-SNP, you could get more benefits and features than with Original Medicare. 

Visit GetDual.com to learn more about some popular health plans to consider.

What is a Dual Special Needs plan (D-SNP)?

A Dual Special Needs plan (D-SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage plan. It’s for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid.

These plans are designed for people who may need more help because of disabilities, age, income or health conditions.

D-SNPs work with your state medical assistance program with the goal of providing access to the quality health care you deserve at a price you can afford.

D-SNP eligibility

Each state will determine if you qualify for a dual health plan (Medicaid + Medicare).

You are eligible for a Dual Special Needs plan if you qualify for Medicaid, you receive Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare) benefits and if you live in the coverage area for the D-SNP plan.

If you don't meet all the requirements, you may still be partially eligible for a D-SNP.

Learn which plan is right for you.

Benefits of a D-SNP health plan

With a D-SNP health plan, you could get more benefits than with either Original Medicare or Medicaid alone. You'll keep all your Medicaid benefits, plus add even more at no extra cost to you. Some examples of extra benefits may include:

  • Routine dental care 
  • A monthly credit to spend on healthy food, over-the-counter products and pay utility bills 
  • Routine eye exams, plus credit for eyewear 
  • Routine hearing exams, plus credit for hearing devices 
  • Rides to health care visits and the pharmacy

Helpful resources

Finding it hard to afford food?

  • Feeding America is a network of food banks. Type in your ZIP code and find places to get free food, plus dates and times for pickup.
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) help families buy healthy food.

Hope and healing may be a phone call away

  • The Substance Use Disorder Helpline is private and available 24/7. Call 1-855-780-5955.
  • If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide or  an emergency, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-T A L K (8255).

Stay connected to your community

  • Volunteer at a local organization such as a church or community center. Get started
  • Improve your social connectedness through tips from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Check out UHCHealthierLives.com to find help on your own, for things like housing, getting food every day, getting to the grocery store or feeling safe.

Educational materials

Download educational materials to help you and your family learn about healthy habits and resources to live a healthier life.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor. Consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program or making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.