What can I not buy with my OTC card?
Asked by: Dr. Dejon Batz Jr. | Last update: June 28, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (6 votes)
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.
Can I buy paper towels with my OTC card?
You can use your card to buy things like: Food and fresh groceries, like meat, vegetables, and canned goods. Everyday items, like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and shaving cream. Household goods, like laundry detergent, paper towels and tissues.
How do I know what I can buy with my OTC card?
OTC card eligible items often include health and wellness products, such as cough and cold remedies, vitamins, medical equipment and more. If an item is eligible, the cost of the item is subtracted from an OTC card's available balance at checkout.
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.
What Can I Buy with my OTC card?
Can you buy shampoo with an OTC card?
OTC items are not eligible for reimbursement if they are normally used for general health, are not used to treat a medical condition (e.g. toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, shampoo) or are cosmetic in nature (e.g. teeth whitening products, wrinkle reducers). See additional examples in the OTC Chart.
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.
What is OTC in grocery?
OTC (Over-the-Counter) Plus and OTC Card. Staying healthy is easier with a Healthfirst OTC 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 stores and select online retailers, with free home-delivery options available.
What can you get off a OTC card?
What is covered under your OTC allowance? Eligible products include OTC remedies or medicines to alleviate or treat illness or injury, dental care products, eye and ear care products, and incontinence supplies (adult diapers). These products do not require a prescription from a health care provider.
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.
Can I buy coffee with my OTC card?
Items that do not qualify include non-food and pet items, alcohol, baby formula, candy, chips, coffee shop items, desserts, fresh baked goods, soda, and tobacco. To check if an item is approved, members can download the Healthy Benefits Plus app, scan the product and it will advise if item is allowable.
What products are considered OTC?
- Pain relievers and fever control medicine (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
- Decongestants (e.g., Sudafed*)
- Expectorant (e.g., Mucinex, Robitussin)
- Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl)
- Saline nasal spray.
- Cough drops.
Does an OTC card cover bread?
You can use your food credits to buy thousands of approved foods. Use the handy list below to help you shop for foods that qualify. Pantry staples - flour, sugar, spices, etc. Healthy grains - bread, cereals, pastas, etc.
Can I buy cereal on my OTC card?
Choose from thousands of covered groceries including fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, meat and seafood, dairy products, beans, bread, cereals, pasta and more. Shop at thousands of participating stores including national chains like Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Kroger or at neighborhood stores near you.
Is shampoo an OTC item?
Examples of OTC drug products include, sunscreen, antidandruff shampoo, acne care, and hand sanitizer. These designations are not mutually exclusive as a product can be both cosmetic and OTC when it has two or more intended uses. For example, an anti-dandruff shampoo will claim to both cleanse hair and treat dandruff.
How to use the 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 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.
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).
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.
What can I buy with my UCard at Walmart?
- Braces and supports.
- Dental and oral care.
- Diabetes care.
- Eye and ear care.
- First aid.
- Foot care.
- Incontinence products.
- Pain relief.
Can I use my OTC card on Amazon?
Can I use my card to purchase OTC items online from websites like Amazon? You can only purchase OTC items online from the NationsBenefits website.
What is covered on an OTC card?
Your OTC benefit allows you to purchase medications, health and wellness items, and first aid supplies, with home delivery at no additional cost. If you have any questions or need help placing your order, we're here for you.
What is OTC shampoo?
Our OTC medicated shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis is an OTC, Over The Counter medicated shampoo that is safe enough to be purchased without a doctors prescription.
Does OTC cover tampons?
Menstrual or feminine care products are also recognized as eligible expenses – including pads, tampons, cups, and other period care items.