Taking Charge of Your Health: How To Maximize Medicare OTC Benefits

Do you ever get colds, upset stomach or heartburn? How about allergies, incontinence or back pain? If so, you're far from alone; many people suffer from these common ailments. Just considering colds exclusively, the average adult gets a cold two to four times a year.

While there's no cure for the common cold or allergies, there are over-the-counter (OTC) products to help you feel better while your illness runs its course, treating symptoms like cough, congestion, runny nose, pain and fever. And thankfully, many of these OTC products are covered under Medicare plans.

Navigating Medicare OTC Benefits

If you have Medicare OTC benefits through your Medicare Advantage plan, also called Medicare Part C, you can stock up on a variety of helpful OTC products at reduced or no cost, depending on your plan.

Medicare OTC benefits are only available through Medicare Advantage plans and not through Medicare Part A and Part B plans. While not all Medicare Advantage plans offer OTC benefits, the vast majority do. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 87% of Medicare Advantage plans offer OTC benefits to their beneficiaries.

Aside from cost savings, many who use their OTC benefits spend less on medical costs, have fewer doctor visits and have better health outcomes than those who don't use them. Unfortunately, not everyone who has access to them does, in fact, use these benefits.

One reason so many people don't use these benefits is that they simply don't know about them. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, ask about OTC benefits. Why not take advantage of cost savings on items you need and use?

How Medicare OTC Benefits Can Support Health

If you're not using yours, or need guidance on how to use your Medicare OTC benefits to help support your health, here are tips on how and why you should.

Access a Variety of Health and Lifestyle Products

Each OTC benefit plan offers different benefits, but most include a quarterly, monthly or annual allowance for OTC purchases and a list of eligible items. You can stock up on a wide variety of health and lifestyle products, from vitamins and supplements to sleep aids and orthopedic support that can help you thrive. Whether you need eye care, foot care, skin care or oral care, you can find it all at your local pharmacy.*

Manage Minor Health Issues

With OTC benefits, you can promptly manage minor health issues such as cuts and bruises, hemorrhoids, or foot fungus on your own. If you have a cold, a cough or a sore throat, you can find pain relievers, cough drops, antihistamines, decongestants and nasal spray to help relieve your symptoms. Access to these OTC products can help you feel empowered to care for yourself without having to make and wait for a doctor's visit.

Encourage Preventive Measures

Some plans offer OTC products that promote preventive care, such as blood pressure monitors, glucose test strips or smoking cessation aids. These tools enable you to monitor your health and take action to prevent or manage potential health issues.

Support Chronic Condition Management

If you have certain chronic health conditions, OTC benefits can provide essential items to help manage your condition. For example, those with diabetes can get lancets, glucose monitoring devices and wound care products. Anti-inflammatory drugs and topical pain relievers can help those with arthritis. Further, those with occasional heartburn can find relief with antacids. Access to these supplies allows those with chronic health issues to better manage their illnesses and help reduce the risk of complications.

Promote Self-Care

Using your OTC benefits at Rite Aid makes it easier to stock up on sensitive items that older adults need for self-care. Whether it's a personal lubricant for sexual health or overnight incontinence products, you can find what you need at your local pharmacy.

Stock Up on All Your Basic Health Needs

Be prepared for anything by stocking up on all your basic first aid and health needs: bandages, antibiotic ointments, fever and pain reducers, cough syrup, eye drops, etc.** Don't let your OTC benefits go to waste.

Utilize Convenient Delivery and Pick-Up Options

Don't have time to stop by your local pharmacy? Do you have mobility issues? Many Medicare Advantage plans with OTC benefits offer mail-order catalogs or online platforms for ordering products. At Rite Aid, you can order online for pick-up or delivery. These options make it easier to access necessary health items at your convenience.

Make Your Home Safer

It's no secret that your mobility, balance and memory may change as you get older. You can make your home safer with your OTC benefits with items like a shower chair, bench or grab bars. Additionally, you can find things to help you stay on top of your medication management, such as medication organizers, pill splitters and pill crushers.

Maintaining Health and Wellness

By offering easy access to a wide range of common health and personal care items, Rite Aid helps ensure that Medicare Advantage recipients with OTC benefits have the necessary resources to maintain their health and improve their quality of life.

If you're unsure what your over-the-counter Medicare benefits cover, you can speak to a Rite Aid Medicare Benefits Specialist to help you determine how to best use your allowance or benefits. You can also stop by the pharmacy counter to consult with a Rite Aid pharmacist on potential OTC and prescription medication interactions.

Clinically reviewed on Oct. 2, 2023.

*Selection may vary by store.

**Not all plans may pay for these items. Check your plan for specific product eligibility.