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which otc meds do i qualify for with the medicare advantage plan

by Marion Beahan Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Which OTC Medications Can I Get with A Medicare Advantage Plan? Cold and cough medications. Flu medication. Antibiotic ointment. Bandaids. Denture-related products. Digestive medications. First-aid materials. Orthopedic support. Pain relievers. Sleep aids.

What Can I Purchase With my Medicare Advantage OTC Card?
  • Cold and cough medications.
  • Flu medication.
  • Antibiotic ointment.
  • Band-Aids.
  • Denture-related products.
  • Digestive medications.
  • First-aid materials.
  • Orthopedic support.

Full Answer

Do Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover OTC drugs?

May 27, 2021 · Reviewed by John Krahnert. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may offer an allowance for certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications and products. Find plans in your area that may offer allowances for OTC drugs. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t typically cover prescription medication. If it does, it’s in only limited circumstances.

Does Medicare pay for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs?

Mar 02, 2021 · Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications include any medication you need that doesn’t require a prescription. This can include cold-medicines like Mucinex, pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol, and digestive aids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol. Also, multi-vitamins, suppositories, cough drops, and even Neosporin frequently fall under the OTC umbrella.

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

Jul 15, 2019 · 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 to utilize your …

How many drugs do Medicare Advantage plans cover?

Jul 16, 2021 · A Medicare Advantage over-the-counter drug card is a prepaid card administered by a Medicare Advantage plan. You can use this card is to purchase select OTC products at participating locations. Over-the-counter drug cards can be used to buy various health and wellness products, as well as medications, vitamins, durable medical equipment, and ...

What items can I buy with my OTC card?

What Can You Buy From Walmart With An OTC Card?Denture-related products.Digestive medications.First-aid materials.Orthopedic support.Pain relievers.Sleep aids.Wart removal products.Cold and cough medications.More items...

What is OTC allowance?

Your plan membership includes an annual $400 ($100 per quarter) Over-the-Counter (OTC) allowance that you can use to purchase everyday non-prescription items such as vitamins, toothpaste, cold and flu remedies and much more. You can shop online and enjoy free home delivery.

Does Medicare have an OTC program?

Medicare Advantage plans may sometimes partner with a national retail pharmacy like Walmart or CVS where plan members may utilize their OTC benefit. 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.May 27, 2021

How often do you get OTC benefits?

As a plan member, you receive a quarterly allowance to purchase qualified OTC products at any pharmacy. You can purchase eligible OTC items all at once or one at a time as long as you don't go over the set benefit amount.

How do I use my OTC card at Walmart?

How to Pay Using the OTC Card at Walmart?During checkout, select the 'Gift Card' as your preferred method of payment.Enter your 17-digit account number on the section written 'Gift Card Number'.Enter your 4-digit security code on the section written 'PIN Code'.Complete your payment.Mar 26, 2022

What are Over-the-Counter Medications?

Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications include any medication you need that doesn’t require a prescription. This can include cold-medicines like Mucinex, pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol, and digestive aids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol. Also, multi-vitamins, suppositories, cough drops, and even Neosporin frequently fall under the OTC umbrella.

Eligible OTC Plan Purchases

As mentioned, Medicare Advantage OTC benefits are used to purchase health-related items and medications approved by your Medicare Advantage Plan. In addition to medicine, these plans frequently cover additional health care items such as:

How an Over-the-Counter Benefit Plan Works

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes OTC coverage you will have a quarterly or monthly benefit amount to spend on over-the-counter items.

Medicare Advantage Flex Card Program

Is an OTC Plan the same as a Medicare Advantage Flex Card? The answer is not exactly. There are Medicare Advantage Plans that distribute OTC benefits via a prepaid point-of-sale card referred to as an OTCNetwork card. This card only covers the participant’s OTC benefit and nothing more.

How to Use your OTC Medicare Advantage Benefits

The insurance carrier who provides your Medicare Advantage Plan will send you a catalog each calendar year that includes all the items that are eligible OTC purchases. You can order your items directly from the catalog by filling out an order form or you can call to order them over the phone.

Is SPAP Similar to a Flex or OTC Program?

SPAP stands for State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program. These medication assistance programs are offered at the state level to help low-income seniors pay for prescription drugs.

The TakeAway

Medicare and Medicare Advantage offer different options for assisting low-income or fixed-income seniors with their medical needs. Medicare Part D is a standard prescription drug plan that doesn’t cover 100% of your health-related needs.

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 is Medicare Advantage over the counter?

What is the Medicare Advantage Over the Counter Drug Card? A Medicare Advantage over the counter drug card is a prepaid card for products. You can use your card to buy most health products, as well as medications. Your insurance carrier is in charge of reloading your card each month. Most major retail stores accept these cards, ...

Do pharmacies accept OTC cards?

Different pharmacies and stores can provide you with the over-the-counter products you need. Most major pharmacies and stores accept OTC drug cards, but of course, will vary.

Does Medicare Advantage cover over the counter drugs?

Medicare Advantage policies will often partner with large retail pharmacies. By doing this, it enables people to use over the counter benefits with their drug card. Some plans even include home delivery of your over the counter drugs. Your drug card balance and benefits will vary depending on your specific plan.

Can I get an OTC card without Medicare?

Can I Get an OTC Drug Card Without Medicare Advantage Coverage? Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of your over the counter health products. Which means you’ll have to pay for things such as cold and flu medicine. But if you decide that you need help covering over the counter medications, you can buy a Medicare Advantage plan. ...

What is the OTC benefit for BCBSRI?

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.

Can you exceed your quarterly benefit?

You cannot exceed your quarterly benefit amount. *Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.

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What is included in UPMC for life?

Many UPMC for Life plans include a quarterly OTC allowance that can be used to buy covered health care products. Members are sent a mail-order catalog with hundreds of covered products to choose from, including: Face masks and hand sanitizer. Cough, cold and flu medications.

Does UPMC have a contract with Medicare?

UPMC for Life has a contract with Medicare to provide HMO, HMO SNP, and PPO plans. The HMO SNP plans have a contract with the PA State Medical Assistance program. Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal.

Does OTC roll over?

The quarterly OTC allowance does not roll over from quarter to quarter. Any remaining funds will expire at the end of each quarter. This allowance cannot be used to pay for your Part B or Part D prescription drug costs. This information is not a complete description of benefits.

What is Medicare Advantage?

According to Medicare.gov, Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) plans are a type of Medicare health plan. They are offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide all your Part A and Part B benefits. In addition, most Medicare services are covered through Medicare Advantage.

Who Qualifies for Medicare Advantage?

Finding the right doctor who accepts Medicare Advantage can be difficult. However, there are plenty of ways to find the one who is right for you. If you are unhappy with your current plan or doctor, take advantage of the annual Medicare open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.

Can I Switch From a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare?

You can switch plans by joining the plan of your choice during enrollment periods. You will be automatically disenrolled from your old plan when your new plan begins. Enrollment periods for switching back to Original Medicare are October 15 through December 7 and January 1-March 31.

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