Watch those blue tags! An easy guide to Medicare Advantage over-the-counter (OTC) benefits at CVS store
Products eligible for redemption with an OTC benefit card are simple to spot at CVS with the help of plan catalogs and blue tags.
About 80 percent of Medicare Advantage plans will pay for some over-the-counter (OTC) health products. Get to know this OTC benefit, which people may be eligible to use to redeem for things like mouthwash, toothpaste, cough drops, vitamins and supplements — at no out-of-pocket cost.*
At CVS® stores, it’s easy to walk in and find items. This guide gives people one quick way to spot the items that some insurance plans may cover. It also explains how to redeem these items at checkout with an OTC benefits card.
In this article:
What is an OTC benefit card?
Each plan’s OTC benefit may take different shapes, but it often arrives as a card that holds the approved allowance for eligible OTC items. The card should arrive in the mail, along with paperwork welcoming members to Medicaid or Medicare Advantage. People may need to activate their card before using it.
How to use the OTC benefit card in CVS stores
It’s easy to use an OTC benefits card at CVS.
- Go to a CVS location. All CVS stores can process an OTC benefits card, with the exception of CVS locations in Target stores and Schnucks supermarkets.*
- Understand what the health plan covers. Get to know which products are eligible for OTC benefits. This information is often available online; if not, people can call their insurance provider if they have questions.
- Watch for blue tags. These signs may indicate that a product is part of CVS Flex Benefits (formerly OTC Health Solutions or OTCHS, a type of OTC benefit).* Even if someone is not a CVS Flex Benefits member, these tags signal items that are widely covered for other plans.
- Check out. When checking out, CVS Flex Benefits members* should let the store employee know they’re using their OTC benefits card before they start scanning items.
What do the blue tags mean?
The blue tags identify products that are widely eligible for CVS Flex Benefits* as well as other OTC benefit plans. Sometimes these items are grouped in a designated section of the store. Other times, they’re placed throughout the store. If someone is having trouble finding a particular item, they can ask a CVS store employee for help.
Just because something has a blue tag doesn’t mean it’s covered under all OTC benefit plans, so it’s important for people to know the types of products their specific plan covers before they shop. They can check with their insurance provider for this information.
Can people use their ExtraCare cards for discounts on these products?
Depending on which OTC supplemental benefit someone has, they may be able to use ExtraBucks Rewards® or promotional offers on their order.* Item prices are listed in each plan’s catalog. Retail prices at the store may differ.
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*FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER BENEFITS AT NO ADDITIONAL COST: Over-the-counter (OTC) allowance benefits are included in select Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans. The allowance may only be applied to select OTC products. Allowance amount may vary by plan. Customer may be responsible for the cost of any items not covered by their plan or the cost that exceeds their allowance amount. Check with your health plan provider for more details.
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*FOR PARTICIPATING STORES: In-store CVS Flex Benefits redemption is not available at Target, Schnucks or select other CVS Pharmacy locations.
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*FOR CVS FLEX BENEFITS MEMBERS: If you are a CVS Flex Benefits member, redeem your benefit in store by providing your information to a store colleague at the register.
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*FOR CVS FLEX BENEFITS: Formerly OTC Health Solutions (OTCHS).
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*FOR EXTRACARE: ExtraCare® card required. Special offers are customized to ExtraCare members. Offers must be sent to your ExtraCare card or printed and presented at purchase to be activated on your ExtraCare membership. Offers are subject to the CVS® Coupon Policy. 2% cash back in ExtraBucks Rewards® on qualifying purchases in store or online is calculated on purchase price less coupons and discounts and before taxes. 2% back will be accessible after each transaction in the CVS Health® app or on CVS.com® and available to redeem on your next purchase. For $3 birthday reward, ExtraCare membership must be active and up-to-date, and the member must be signed up to receive email, text alerts or CVS Health® app push notifications from CVS at least four weeks ahead of their birthday. To earn rewards at the pharmacy, you must enroll in ExtraCare and sign the CVS Pharmacy® Marketing Authorization. You will receive $2 ExtraBucks Rewards® after earning 4 credits for pharmacy activities, up to $50 in ExtraBucks Rewards® in a calendar year. Rewards at the pharmacy are not available in Arkansas, New Jersey or New York; for any prescriptions transferred to a CVS Pharmacy® in Alabama, Mississippi, Oregon or Tennessee; for any controlled substance prescriptions purchased in Hawaii or Louisiana; or where otherwise prohibited by law. Other exclusions apply. Visit ExtraCare terms and conditions.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your health care provider if you have any questions about medications, vitamins or supplements you may be considering or changes to your wellness or health care routines.
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FOR 80 PERCENT OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS SOURCE: Consumer Healthcare Products Association. Using the Medicare Advantage over-the-counter (OTC) medicines program as a consumer engagement tool. Published 2021.