What is OTC for seniors?

Asked by: Maybelle Hirthe III  |  Last update: March 18, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (20 votes)

The OTC benefit — a common ingredient of Medicare Advantage plans4 — means funds to spend at pharmacies for OTC products. It might come as an OTC card you can use at participating retail stores. With this coverage, you receive a certain dollar amount per year, per quarter or per month.

Who qualifies for the OTC program?

Generally, individuals enrolled in specific Medicare Advantage plans that offer Over-the-counter (OTC) benefits qualify for an OTC card. These plans typically provide a set allowance for purchasing health-related items like medications, wellness products, and personal care items.

What is an OTC card for seniors?

An OTC card is a benefit included with certain Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans that lets beneficiaries buy select over-the-counter products at participating locations. It's important to note that Medicare OTC cards aren't available with all Medicare Advantage plans and may not be available in all areas.

What household items can I buy with my OTC card?

Eligible items include:
  • 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.

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.

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Will Medicare pay for OTC?

Most Medicare Advantage plan members receive a quarterly OTC benefit allowance to cover health and wellness products, non-prescription medications, vitamins, and more.

What is OTC payment?

In markets where multiple types of person-to-person (P2P) transactions are available, customers must decide whether they should they send and receive money via mobile wallet or make transactions over the counter (OTC).

Can I buy toilet paper with an 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).

Can I use an OTC card for groceries?

You can't typically buy food with an OTC card. A few Medicare Advantage plans may allow you to buy health-related food and drink items like nutritional shakes, protein bars, and meal replacement products.

What products are considered OTC?

OTC Supplies
  • 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.

Can I buy laundry detergent 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.

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.

Who qualifies for the Flex card?

To get a Medicare flex card, you must be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers a flex card as a benefit. To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, you must qualify for Original Medicare Parts A and B. This means you must be 65+ years of age or have a qualifying disability.

How do I know if I qualify for an OTC card?

To qualify for an OTC card, individuals must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers this benefit. These plans are available to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B.

How do I get OTC approval?

There are two regulatory paths for an OTC Drug products to be manufactured and sold in the US: OTC drug approval through NDA (New Drug Application) or the OTC drug Monograph process. Both pathways use scientific methods to establish the safety of a product for American consumers.

Can I buy with my OTC card at Walmart?

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.

Who gets OTC benefits?

Does everyone on Medicare get OTC benefits? Most Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) plans include OTC benefits. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't typically cover over-the-counter products.

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.

Can I buy gas with my OTC card?

Use your OTC Plus card to pay for non-prescription drugs, health-related items, exercise equipment and activity trackers, healthy foods, and home utilities such as gas, oil, electric, water, and internet service. Save at your neighborhood pharmacy, farmers' markets, online, and other participating retailers.

What does an OTC card not cover?

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 can I buy with my UCard at Walmart?

Use your benefit credit on your UCard to buy healthy food products, like:
  • Beans and soup.
  • Dairy products.
  • Fresh, frozen and canned fruits.
  • Fresh, frozen and canned vegetables.
  • Frozen meals.
  • Fresh salad kits.
  • Fully-prepared meals and produce boxes.
  • Healthy grains like bread, cereals, rice and pastas.

Does Target accept an OTC card for seniors?

Major retail stores and pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, Dollar General, Kroger, and Publix will usually accept Medicare Advantage OTC cards, making it simple for you to access the over-the-counter items you need.

What is OTC cash withdrawal?

“Cash over counter,” also known as “over-the-counter (OTC) cash withdrawal,” is a financial service that allows individuals to withdraw cash directly from a bank or financial institution's counter, as opposed to using an ATM or other automated methods.

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.