how do i get a otc card on medicare

by Destin Hill Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

How to get your eligible items once you activate your OTC card: At participating retail locations, including CVS, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, and many others. Check participating locations at otcnetwork.com or call Connect Concierge and we will find a location near you.

Whether you receive a Medicare OTC card will depend on the Medicare plan you have. If you enroll in a plan with the OTC benefit, you will receive your card with your plan materials and policy cards after you first enroll.Mar 23, 2022

Full Answer

Where can I Use my Medicare OTC card?

Medicare OTC cards can be used at several major retailers nationwide. However, each carrier’s card might have different availability when it comes to approved locations.

How do I Activate my OTC card?

Your card should come with information about how to activate it. If you’re unsure how to activate your card, contact your plan’s customer service center and ask about OTC card activation. For information about how to check your OTC card balance, go to the website your plan gave you.

How do Medicare Advantage over-the-counter (OTC) cards work?

Your Medicare Advantage insurance plan provider is in charge of reloading your Medicare OTC card each month depending on your plan’s benefits. Most major retail stores and pharmacies with OTC products accept these Medicare OTC cards, so utilizing your benefits should not be difficult. How Can I Get a Medicare Advantage Over-the-Counter Drug Card?

Do you need a Medicare Advantage OTC Pre-paid card?

Every penny counts and understanding the products, drugs, and the role of a Medicare Advantage OTC pre-paid card can help you save in the long run. What Are Over-the-Counter Medications? These medications don’t require a doctor’s prescription to be purchased.

What are Medicare OTC benefits?

OTC allowance. Your FHCP Medicare plan gives you a $75 allowance every quarter for over-the-counter (OTC) items, such as vitamins and aspirin — at no cost to you. Ordering is quick and easy: 1.

What can you buy with OTC Medicare card?

Over-the-Counter. (OTC) Covered Items. ... Abdominal Supports & Rib Belts. Acid Controllers. ... Anti-Diarrheals. Anti-Diarrheal Tabs, Liquids & Caps.Antifungal Treatments. Antifungal Powders, Creams, Liquids & Sprays. ... Anti-Gas. Mixed/Miscellaneous Anti-Gas.Anti-Itch Treatments. ... Antiparasitic Treatments. ... Braces.More items...

How can I get over-the-counter benefits?

There are several different ways you can access your OTC benefit:Call OTC Health Solutions at 1-866-298-0578.Place an order online throgh the OTC Health Solutions Member website.Pick up your OTC items at any participating OTC Health Solutions location. Click here to see a list of participating locations.

Does Original Medicare have OTC benefits?

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover over-the-counter products and medications. Some stand-alone Part D plans may cover the costs, but generally, a Medicare Advantage plan is your best option if this type of drug coverage is important to you.

How often does my OTC card reload?

At the beginning of each calendar quarter, your OTC card is loaded with the quarterly OTC amount for your plan. Your balance does not carry over—try to spend the full amount before the end of each quarter. Don't throw out your card—it will be reloaded at the start of the next calendar quarter.

How do I activate my OTC card?

0:050:36Activate Your OTC Card Online or By Phone - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo activate your card online go to otcnetwork.com.MoreTo activate your card online go to otcnetwork.com.

Can you buy toothpaste with OTC card?

OTC (Over-the-Counter) Plus and OTC Card Save on items you use every day, such as toothpaste, eye drops, aspirin, and more, when you shop at participating neighborhood and online retailers, with free home-delivery options available. Click the tabs below to learn more.

Can I withdraw money from my OTC card?

The benefit to an OTC cash withdrawal is that you can withdraw a larger amount, up to $705 per transaction with the same withdrawal fee. In addition, financial institutions often do not charge for OTC withdrawals or "cash advances." OTC withdrawals are also subject to a larger daily maximum, up to $1000 per day.

Can I buy food with my OTC card at Walmart?

Most of the OTC cards offer users up to $50 weekly benefits for the purchase of grocery items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and dairy products. Users get discounts on certain items from Walmart. OTC cards can be used to shop both online and in stores.

Can I get free vitamins with Medicare?

Medicare Part D does cover prenatal vitamins, fluoride and vitamin D analogs, such as calcitriol, doxercalciferol and paricalcitol. Prescription drugs used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth, but Medicare Part D does cover prescription drugs to treat psoriasis, acne, rosacea and vitiligo.

How many trips to the OTC do you make per year?

Medicare Advantage. According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the average American makes 26 trips per year to buy over-the-counter (OTC) products. As you age, this number may increase. This means you may be spending more on these products each year. Every penny counts and understanding the products, drugs, ...

Does Medicare cover over the counter medications?

Original Medicare ( Part A and Part B) does not cover over-the-counter products and medications. Some stand-alone Part D plans may cover the costs, but generally, a Medicare Advantage plan is your best option if this type of drug coverage is important to you. Your Medicare Advantage plan provider should give clear instructions on how ...

What percent of Medicare beneficiaries are OTC?

In 2019, more than 51 percent of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were enrolled in a plan with OTC benefits. 1. This is due in part to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) giving Medicare Advantage plan carriers more flexibility in the benefits that Medicare Advantage plans can offer. This opened the door for Medicare Advantage ...

What drugs does Medicare not cover?

Which drugs are not covered by Medicare? Medicare Part A and Part B typically do not cover the following over-the-counter drugs: Vitamins and minerals (except prenatal vitamins and fluoride preparations, in certain situations) Drugs used only for the relief of a cold or cold symptoms.

What are the benefits of Medicare Advantage?

Some of the other newly expanded Medicare Advantage benefits include (but aren’t limited to) things like: 1 Non-emergency transportation services (such as trips to the doctor’s office) 2 Caregiver support 3 Home remodeling for aging in place (such as adding bathroom grab bars) 4 Some home-based palliative care 5 Home meal delivery

Does Medicare Advantage cover OTC?

As it turns out, some Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans may provide allowances for OTC drugs and other products. Medicare Advantage plan availability and benefits may vary, depending on where you live and the plan you have. A licensed insurance agent can help you compare Medicare Advantage plans in your area that may provide coverage ...

Does Medicare cover prescriptions?

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t typically cover prescription medication. If it does, it’s in only limited circumstances. So do Medicare beneficiaries have any options for coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) medications? As it turns out, some Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans may provide allowances for OTC drugs ...

Does Medicare cover hair growth?

Drugs used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth. Prescription drugs that fall into the above categories may be covered by Medicare if they are being prescribed to treat other conditions and are ordered by your doctor. Speak with your health care provider for Medicare coverage information.

Does Medicare Advantage offer home delivery?

Some Medicare Advantage plans may also offer home delivery of over-the-counter drugs. The exact OTC allowances and other benefits of Medicare Advantage plans may vary. Some Medicare Advantage plans feature $0 premiums, though these types of plans may not be available where you live.

About the over-the-counter (OTC) benefit

All BCBSRI Medicare Advantage members get a debit card loaded with $25-$200/quarter to buy a wide range of health-related items such as cold remedies and personal care items.

Three easy ways to use the OTC benefit

Once you receive your OTC debit card, you can redeem your benefit any of the following ways:

When will Blue Medicare Advantage card be available in 2021?

This card will be loaded on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 with $25 to use on eligible wellness purchases, so be sure to keep this card all year.

Can you use an OTC card online?

The cards cannot be used to pay for insurance premiums, prescription drugs, tobacco, alcohol or firearms. It cannot be use online, except at the NationsOTC.com store. The OTC Allowance Card can be used for: Over-the-counter medications.

33 Answers

Go to https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/ and click the "Drugs.com discount card" link.