FAQs
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 subtracked from an OTC card's available balance at checkout.
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.
Can I buy paper towels with an 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.
What can I buy with my Essence Flex card? ›
Yes, your Flex Card can be used on non-Medicare-covered items, such as eyewear, hearing aids, x-rays, fillings, crowns and other dental work, in addition to health-related over-the-counter products, like pain relievers, vitamins, and first aid products. It can't be used on medical benefits.
Can I buy meat with my OTC card at Walmart? ›
Approved items include fruits & vegetables, meats, dairy & more.
Can you buy potato chips 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.
Can I buy shampoo and conditioner with OTC card? ›
OTC items are not eligible for reimbursem*nt 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.
Can I withdraw money with my 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.
What kind of food can I get with my OTC card? ›
Examples of approved food items are fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, rice, pasta, beans, and much more.
Can you buy bread with OTC card? ›
OTC Food Benefit Card
It can be used to purchase eligible food items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, bread, eggs. You can find a complete list of eligible items by clicking on this link: Full list of eligible items.
Shop in stores*—Swipe your OTC card at participating physical retailers including CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, Stop & Shop, Walgreens, and Walmart.
What is the $2800 flex card? ›
If you've been watching some TV or scrolling through social media channels, you may have seen some enticing posts about “Medicare flex cards” with over $2,800 to use towards groceries, clothes, gas…or anything. Does this sound too good to be true? Well it is. This is a scam.
Can I buy deodorant with my Flex card? ›
Deodorant reimbursem*nt is not eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursem*nt arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA). What is deodorant?
Is Essence a good plan? ›
As a long-standing leader in healthcare, Essence knows how to give you the best experience possible. And our 5-star rating demonstrates our dedication to providing better healthcare with more of what you need.
Can I use my OTC card for online purchases? ›
For some Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans, the OTC card can be swiped as a form of payment or used on phone and online orders.
How to use OTC card at Walgreens online? ›
If an item is eligible, the cost of the item is subtracted from an OTC card's available balance at checkout. How do I use my OTC benefit card at Walgreens? Your OTC benefit card can be used online and in-store. You may use it online during checkout and save it as a payment method to your Walgreens.com account.
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.
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.