Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI)

UPMC for Life Complete Care (HMO D-SNP) plans offer members additional benefits through a program called Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI). Members who qualify for this program can access additional benefits to help support their health and wellness. If you have an eligible chronic condition, meet the criteria for indicating risks for adverse health outcomes and care coordination needs, and receive Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), you may be eligible for this program. Eligibility for this benefit cannot be guaranteed based solely on your condition. All applicable eligibility requirements must be met before the benefit is provided. 

If you received SSBCI benefits in 2026, you don’t need to do anything. UPMC Health Plan will check your eligibility for 2027 automatically.  

Here’s how you can find out if you’re eligible: 

• Log in to the UPMC Health Plan member site or download the UPMC Health Plan app. 
• Call the phone number on your member ID card. 

If you are a new UPMC for Life Complete Care member or your chronic condition has not been submitted to UPMC Health Plan, you will need to schedule an appointment with your doctor, and your doctor will need to submit a claim to UPMC for Life identifying that you have one of the qualifying conditions. If you meet all additional criteria, including the risk of adverse health outcomes and need for care coordination, UPMC for Life will add the benefits to your plan. This could take two to three months from the time you see your doctor. You can qualify for this program at any time during the year. Once UPMC Health Plan recognizes that you qualify, you will remain qualified throughout the remainder of the calendar year. 

Here’s a full list of eligible chronic conditions: 

If you qualify for SSBCI, you will get these additional benefits starting Jan. 1:  

• Additional Shop Healthy Card allowances—You will get two additional allowances per month added to your Shop Healthy Card for healthy foods and household utilities. This is in addition to the $60 monthly allowance all members get for over-the-counter and home safety products. Learn more about the Shop Healthy Card. 
• Trips to non-health locations—You will be able to use some of your one-way trips to go to or from approved non-health locations, including places of worship, salons, libraries, banks, funeral homes, post offices, community centers, county assistance offices, and Social Security offices.  Learn more about transportation benefits. 
• Healthy food kits—You will be able to order two healthy food kits per year. Learn more about healthy food kits. 

Please see the UPMC for Life Complete Care Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) Policy for more information.

These benefits are part of the Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) program. To be eligible, members must have an eligible chronic condition, meet the criteria for indicating risks for adverse health outcomes and care coordination needs, and qualify for Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). Members must have one of the following chronic illnesses: chronic/disabling mental health conditions, conditions with functional challenges, obesity, cardiovascular disorders, substance use disorders, diabetes, or other eligible conditions not listed. Eligibility for this benefit cannot be guaranteed based solely on your condition. All applicable eligibility requirements must be met before the benefit is provided. For details, please contact us.