Over-the-Counter Benefits (2024)

Getting started:

This benefit provides members with a quarterly allowance administered by NationsBenefits (NationsOTC) to purchase OTC health and wellness products.

Using this benefit:

Once your My Benefit Card is activated, members can use it to purchase eligible healthcare items at participating retail stores or directly from NationsBenefits over the phone or online through the NationsBenefits portal.

  • Using a local participating retailer provides you more choices and value for your allowance.
  • Participating retailers include CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart. To find a participating retailer near you, call NationsBenefits at 877.240.8232 (TTY: 711) or visit the NationsBenefits portal.
  • When shopping at a participating retailer, be sure to pay for your OTC benefit purchases separately from the rest of your order, if applicable, using your available NationsBenefits card allowance.
  • Refer to the tips on using your allowance at a participating retail location.
  • For phone orders, call NationsBenefits at 877.240.8232 (TTY: 711).
  • For online orders, go to the NationsBenefits portal to purchase items through the portal.
  • You may also use the MyBenefits Portal app to check account balances and purchase items.
  • Download the MyBenefits Portal app on your mobile device through the App store or Google Play to access your account and find participating retailers.

Tips when shopping at a participating retailer:

  • When visiting a participating retailer, choose eligible OTC items.
  • Using your My Benefit Card, pay for eligible OTC items separately at the time of purchase and the allowance will automatically go toward all qualifying items in the purchase, up to their card balance amount.
  • Please select “credit” when checking out. You will not receive a PIN and all debit transactions will be declined.
  • For purchases totaling more than the quarterly allowance or card balance, a second form of payment must be used for the remaining balance.
  • Refunds and exchanges should be returned to the retail location where purchased. If a return is accepted, a refund will be received back onto the My Benefit Card.

Eligible products:

Purchase a variety of OTC medications and health and wellness products with the OTC benefit.

Examples of eligible care items:

  • Oral care products (toothpaste and dental floss).
  • Eye care (OTC eyedrops).
  • First aid supplies.
  • Heating pads.
  • Blood pressure cuffs.
  • Safety and fall prevention aids.
  • Compression and supportive items.
  • Incontinence supplies.

For additional information, please contact NationsBenefits at 877.240.8232 (TTY: 711).

Cosmetic prescription products (for example, teeth whitening products, and wrinkle reducers), are not eligible purchases under the benefit.

Check eligible items by name under the OTC benefit on the NationsBenefits portal.

Check with your local retailer; some stores use stickers or signs to identify qualifying items.

Use MyBenefits Portal app on a mobile device. Download the MyBenefits Portal app on your mobile device through the App store or Google Play to access your account and find participating retailers. The app allows members to scan items in-store to identify whether an item is eligible for this program.

Download and view the OTC product catalog or request a printed version on your NationsBenefits portal. Members will not receive a 2023 OTC product catalog in the mail.

Online orders and shipping:

  • Place an order through NationsBenefits online through the NationsBenefits portal online or through the MyBenefits app and have items shipped directly to your home at no additional cost.
  • To order by phone, call NationsBenefits at 877.240.8232 (TTY: 711).
  • Orders placed through NationsBenefits will be delivered via FedEx or UPS.
  • Sign up for text or email alerts, or can or visit the NationsBenefits portal to check your order status and tracking information.
  • Orders can be shipped anywhere in the U.S., including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
  • If traveling, the shipping address can be changed at checkout for each order.
  • Cancel orders any time prior to shipping by calling NationsBenefits at 877.240.8232 (TTY: 711) or cancel orders in the NationsBenefits portal within one hour after the order is placed.

Reloading funds:

  • The quarterly allowance will automatically be loaded onto the My Benefit Card on the first day of each quarter (January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1).
  • Unused allowances may not be carried over from one quarter to the next quarter.
  • Check the balance of available funds by logging into the NationsBenefits portal.

Contact information:

For more information about using your OTC benefits or to make a purchase, please contact Nations Benefits directly.

Over-the-Counter Benefits (2024)

FAQs

What is the over-the-counter benefit? ›

Over-the-counter (OTC) benefits help cover the cost of eligible OTC health and wellness products. This benefit is included in most Medicare Advantage plans, but not all. And different plans may have different OTC benefits.

What can I buy with my Nations Benefits grocery card? ›

Once your plan has started, you can use your Benefits Prepaid Card to buy eligible groceries. Eligible products include all food items like fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, canned goods, frozen foods, and more.

What is covered by 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.

Can I use my OTC card at Walmart for food? ›

Approved items include fruits & vegetables, meats, dairy & more.

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 do I check my OTC benefits? ›

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 gas with my Nations benefits card? ›

If you have the Transportation wallet included in your benefit, your card will only work for gas at the pump and not inside the convenience store.

What food items can you get with a OTC card? ›

Examples of approved food items are fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, rice, pasta, beans, and much more.

Does Walmart accept a Nations benefits card? ›

A: No, your card is not accepted at Walmart.com for online purchases. You may use your card for in-store purchases at Walmart.

How much money is on my OTC card? ›

How do I check the balance on my OTC card? Once your card is activated, you should learn how to check your account details. You'll especially need to check your balance and the amount you've used. Most cards have a toll-free number listed on the back of the card, which you can call to find out.

Do I get money on my OTC card every month? ›

Depending on your provider, OTC cards may be filled each quarter (every three months) or at the beginning of every month. Funds on OTC cards do not carry over to the next month or quarter. If you do not use your full quarterly allowance, any unused funds are lost.

What can you not buy with an 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.

Is toilet paper covered by 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 you withdraw money from an OTC card? ›

OTC withdrawals are available up to the daily withdrawal authorization limits, provided the Available Balance in your account is greater than or equal to the cash withdrawal amount requested.

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.

Do all Medicare recipients get OTC benefits? ›

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't typically cover over-the-counter health products. Some privately sold Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, however, may include OTC coverage.

How do you use OTC benefits at CVS? ›

Inform the cashier that you have the OTCHS benefit and present your member ID card before the cashier begins to scan products. Your insurance card is used to verify eligibility, not as a form payment. You can also cut out and present the QR Code to the store colleague at the register to assist with the transaction.

Do OTC benefits roll over? ›

Your OTC benefit can be utilized multiple times throughout the month. Can I carry over unused benefit amount to the next benefit period? Unused benefit amounts do roll over once to the next month. It will expire in the following month if unused and the balance will be set to the original benefit amount.

How do I use Medicare over-the-counter benefits? ›

Your Benefits Prepaid Card can be used to purchase eligible OTC items at participating retail stores in-person. You can also order products online, by phone, or by mail exclusively through our OTC partner, NationsBenefits, and get them delivered to your home at no additional cost.

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