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Over-the-counter (OTC) allowance benefit

Use your OTC allowance to spend on items for healthy living and boost your budget.

Using your OTC allowance benefit

Take care of your health and save money with a benefit designed to help you purchase the everyday wellness supplies you need. An OTC allowance offers you an easy way to get certain health items at no additional cost.

Items eligible to purchase using your OTC allowance include:

  • Allergy medications
  • Cough drops
  • First aid supplies
  • Pain relief
  • Toothpaste
  • Vitamins
  • And much more!

OTC allowance with the Healthy Benefits+ Visa card

Medicare members get an allowance twice a year to buy eligible OTC health items at participating retailers. The allowance is preloaded onto your Healthy Benefits+ Visa card. Members get access to hundreds of qualified OTC products and three convenient ways to shop: in-store, online or by phone. Dollars not used expire on June 30 and Dec. 31, or if you’re no longer an eligible member.

Eligibility and how to get started

This OTC allowance is available to members of the following plans:

  • UCare Medicare
  • UCare Medicare with M Health Fairview & North Memorial
  • EssentiaCare
  • UCare Advocate Choice/UCare Advocate Plus
  • UCare Your Choice/Your Choice Plus

To learn more or check your card balance, visit healthybenefitsplus.com/ucare or call 1‑833‑862‑8276 (TTY 711). This phone number is also on the back of your Healthy Benefits+ card.

Manage my Medicare OTC allowance


OTC benefit through CVS

The OTC benefit through CVS can be used to purchase eligible health items online or over the phone directly through CVS. You’ll receive an allowance four times per year. Dollars not used expire quarterly on Mar. 31, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31 or if you are no longer an eligible member.

Eligibility and how to get started

This OTC benefit is available to members of the following plans:

  • UCare’s MSHO
  • Connect + Medicare

To learn more and start shopping with CVS OTC Health Solutions, call 1‑888‑628‑2770 or visit cvs.com/benefits. The allowance is not available in-store.

Manage my OTC benefit through CVS