How do I use my OTC Medicare card?
Asked by: Dr. Keon Torp | Last update: December 26, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (31 votes)
How do I use my OTC card?
At local retailers, take your items to the checkout lanes. When you check out, swipe your OTC Plus/OTC card for payment. Purchases of approved items are automatically deducted from your card balance.
How does Medicare OTC work?
Medicare Advantage OTC benefits are offered by most Medicare Advantage plans. The benefit is an allowance to purchase certain OTC items you'd get at a drugstore. It works a little like a health savings account (HSA), the popular tax-advantaged account that lets you pay for many personal health care costs.
Can I use my OTC card at Walmart for food?
OTC Food Benefit Card
You can use this card at the following participating retailers: CVS, Walgreens, Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Walmart. You will a receive gray colored OTC card, similar to the example shown, with a maximum $20 monthly limit for purchasing the approved food items items.
How often do you get money on your OTC card?
It's important to know when your OTC card reloads. Money might be added on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, depending on your plan. And remember, if benefits don't roll over to the following period, you'll need to use them — otherwise you'll lose them. For example, some plans have a quarterly structure.
Medicare Advantage OTC Card
What household items can I buy with my OTC card?
- Nicotine replacement therapy items.
- Band aids and first aid supplies.
- Food scales.
- Oral hygiene care products.
- OTC antibiotic creams/ointments.
- OTC antihistamines and allergy sprays.
- OTC cold/cough/flu drugs.
- OTC pain relievers.
How much is the medicare OTC benefit?
Most CDPHP Individual Medicare Advantage members get a prepaid benefits card with up to $100 per quarter to spend on over-the-counter (OTC) supplies online through their Benefits Pro Portal, over the phone, or at thousands of retail locations.
Can I get toilet paper with my OTC card?
OTC items are not eligible if they are normally used for general health, are not used to treat a medical condition (e.g. lotion, shampoo (except for products used to treat dandruff), toilet paper, lip balm) or are cosmetic in nature (e.g. teeth whitening products, wrinkle reducers).
What stores can I use my UCard in 2024?
Where can I use my UCard? You can shop at over 55,000 participating stores in the S3 network. The S3 retail network is an exclusive retail network that allows you to shop with your UCard at Walmart, Walgreens and CVS, or at neighborhood stores near you.
What does an OTC card not cover?
What does the OTC card not cover? A Medicare plan with an OTC allowance typically does not cover prescription medications, alcohol, tobacco products, cosmetics or items for general household use. Additionally, it usually cannot be used to purchase gift cards or pay for services such as doctor visits and lab tests.
How much do I have left on my OTC card?
You may check check the balance on your OTC benefit card by calling the number on the back of your card or signing in to your OTC plan provider's online member portal.
Can I buy laundry soap with my OTC card?
Use your $25 a month to get items like baby wipes, allergy products, pain relief medicine and more. You can also get everyday items like laundry detergent, soap and toothbrushes.
Can I use an OTC card on Amazon?
No, members cannot shop directly on amazon.com or use the Amazon mobile app to purchase products using their OTC credit or UCard. Do members need an Amazon Prime account to purchase products? No, members do not need an Amazon Prime account to purchase products.
Can I use my OTC card at self checkout?
Yes, you can use your card at self-checkout in store. What if my card is denied? Please double check that your card is active and has a balance.
What is the OTC allowance?
The OTC allowance benefit can be used to buy eligible non-prescription items, plus health and wellness items. There are 2 types of OTC allowance benefits: OTC Mail Order or OTC Allowance.
How to pay rent with an OTC card?
Rent/Mortgage Assistance
To make a payment, check with your landlord or mortgage company first to make sure they accept Visa and provide them with your OTC card information. Funds will be deducted from your OTC account.
How do I know what I can buy with my OTC card?
- Allergy relief support.
- Cough and cold relief support.
- Dental care.
- Digestive care, including antacids and laxatives.
- Ear care.
- Eye care.
- First aid and medical supplies.
- Pain relief support.
Why won't my Healthy Benefits card work at Walmart?
The benefits card has been used before the 24-hour waiting period after activation is over. The participant has insufficient funds in the benefit account to cover the expense. Non-eligible expenses have been included at the point of sale. (Retry the transaction with the eligible expense only.)
How do I use my UCard for groceries?
- Simply swipe your card or scan the barcode.
- Scan your digital UCard barcode in the UnitedHealthcare app (available at most store locations)
What is OTC in grocery?
Most MA plans also include an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance. This benefit usually comes monthly or quarterly as a pre-paid card that can be used at local pharmacies for certain over-the-counter medications, wellness items, and personal care products.
How does the OTC card work at Walmart?
How do I use my OTC Network card on Walmart.com? You can create a Walmart.com account and add your OTC Network card to your wallet or enter your OTC Network card as a payment method during check-out.
Is deodorant OTC approved?
Anti-perspirants/Deodorants
The anti-perspirant component still requires an approved aluminum compound as the active ingredient. Because of this, all anti-perspirant/deodorant products are considered OTC drugs and are regulated by the FDA.
How do I get money on my OTC card?
Most Medicare Advantage plans that offer OTC cards provide a set amount of money on the card each quarter, not every month. So, you'll usually see your balance refreshed every three months.
Is OTC cheaper than prescription?
Q: Is it cheaper to buy a medication over-the-counter? A: Not always. OTC medications are generally not covered by health insurance plans and can be expensive. It may be easier to buy OTC medication if you do not have insurance that covers prescriptions.
Can I buy gasoline with my OTC card?
This allowance can be used for Over-the Counter (OTC) Items, groceries, home utilities and gas at the pump.