When you have gone to the local store, you probably saw OTC drugs on sale. There are many people who do not know what OTC drugs are. But, it is very important that you do! Medicare Advantage plans cover over-the-counter (OTC) drug cards that can provide assistance for people to help with the cost of OTC drugs. You probably heard of OTC drugs or non-prescription medication. These types of medications are available for people to buy without a prescription from their doctor. These types of drugs are safe and effective to use, as long as you follow the label’s directions or the guidance of a healthcare provider. You need to remember that each Medicare Advantage plan is different and you might find that there are only some plans that offer this benefit, not all of them.

What You Need To Know About Medicare Advantage OTC Drug Cards

You will find that Medicare Advantage OTC cards are prepaid. To receive coverage, you can do so through the Medicare Advantage plan that you participate in. You can use this card to purchase particular OTC goods that are eligible at particular locations. In order to buy items you need, you will have to make sure that it goes with your plan and the provider. But, there are certain items that you can purchase, which are the following:

• Pain relievers
• Sleep aids
• Vitamins
• Antibiotic creams/ointments
• Band-Aids
• Cold medications
• Cough medications
• Digestive medications
• Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
• Denture-related products
• First-aid materials
• Flu medication
• Medications
• Wart removal products
• Orthopedic support
• Other Health Products
• Other Wellness Products

Since these cards provide coverage through your Medicare Advantage plan, your Medicare Advantage insurance plan provider manages your card. This includes adding funds to the card every month (depending on the terms of your plan). One of the greatest advantages about this card is that a majority of well-known supermarkets and pharmacies with OTC items allow these cards as a form of payment.

How Much Can Your Medicare Advantage OTC Drug Card Amount To?

The amount that you receive in your OTC Drug Card depends on your plan. We suggest that you look for the best plan to suit your current needs. To find the best plan, you should compare your options. Fortunately, you can look through different available plans through tools online that give you the ability to compare your options.

Places You Can Use Your Medicare Advantage OTC Drug Card

It might sound repetitive, but the details of your Medicare Advantage OTC drug card will depend on your provider. This is very important for you to know! So, you will want to verify the eligible locations with your provider. Generally, you can use your cards in places like the following:

• Walgreens
• Rite Aid
• Dollar General
• Walmart
• CVS
• Kroger
• Target
• Family Dollar
• Publix

How Can You Get Yourself a Medicare Advantage OTC Drug Card?

The OTC drug card is a part of your Medicare Advantage plan. So, how you get a card will also depend on your plan. For instance, if you have a plan with an OTC drug card option, then you can get your card after you enroll. Typically this happens when you receive the plan’s documentation after you enroll. This includes policy cards, materials, and more!

When you receive your Medicare Advantage OTC drug card, your provider will give you information about the card. This includes the card’s benefits, how to use it, and more! There are even some providers that have a website to showcase the products that you can buy and the places that you can purchase them from. If you have any questions about the card, then you should contact your Medicare Advantage insurance plan provider.

Is There a Possibility To Get an OTC Drug Card Without Medicare Advantage Coverage?

Unfortunately, an Original Medicare plan does not provide coverage for the cost of an OTC product. This means that you are in charge of buying these OTC products (like the ones mentioned above) with out-of-pocket costs. If you are someone that uses OTC products a lot, then you should think about getting a Medicare Advantage plan that offers these cards.

Commonly Asked Questions

When you are learning about Medicare Advantage OTC drug cards, you might have some questions.

How Can I Check The Balance on My Medicare Advantage OTC Drug Card?

The most suitable way to check the balance on your card is through your healthcare plan’s website. Additionally, your card has a number on the back that you can contact. You should remember that unused funds generally transfer into next month’s balance, but that is not the case with all insurance plans. Make sure your plan has that option before you enroll!

Can I Buy Items From Online Stores Using My Medicare Advantage OTC Drug Card?

Perhaps! But, it depends on the card you have. Typically, your card should be accepted at online stores. This can make it easier for you to buy OTC products!

Understanding Medicare

You probably heard about Original Medicare while you were looking through Medicare plans. Original Medicare means Parts A and Part B. This health insurance program can provide assistance for people that are at least the age of 65 or those who have an eligible disability or disease. Medicare Part A means hospital insurance that provides coverage on hospital stays, nursing facilities, and more! But, Medicare Part B means medical insurance that provides coverage for particular doctor services, medical supplies, outpatient care, and more! Additionally, Medicare offers a Part C plan, which refers to the Medicare Advantage Plan, and Medicare Part D which refers to drug coverage. The Medicare Advantage Plans offer OTC drug cards, while Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs.

The Final Verdict

OTC drug cards are cards that Medicare Advantage providers offer, which are private insurance companies. If you have these cards, then you can use them to provide coverage on costs of OTC products. This could include:

• Pain relievers
• Sleep aids
• Vitamins
• Antibiotic creams/ointments
• Band-Aids
• Cold medications
• Cough medications
• Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
• Denture-related products
• Digestive medications
• First-aid materials
• Flu medication
• Medications
• Orthopedic support
• Wart removal products
• Other Health Products
• Other Wellness Products

But, these cards depend on the plan and provider you chose. Make sure to look through the details of the provider before you enroll!