What Stores Accept OTC Card?

An OTC card assists senior citizens to cover the costs of over-the-counter drugs. Simply, the respective healthcare insurance provider loads OTC cards with $50-$250 for purchasing eligible items to address a medical condition. The amount varies as per the agreed plan, and the approximate approved amount is $1,440 per year. In general, the amount is loaded every four months of the year: January, April, July, and October. To maximize the benefits of OTC card use, it is essential to know what stores accept OTC card. To assist you in this process, we’ve come up with a comprehensive list of stores. It is undeniable that having and using an OTC card is substantially beneficial. It enables decreased healthcare costs. Knowing the details of the OTC card before using it in a store is always crucial.

Working Procedure of OTC Card

As mentioned earlier, this card helps senior citizens reduce their healthcare costs significantly. Here, many people are not sure who is eligible for the OTC card. To be eligible for OTC card benefits, you must be 65 or older with a proven record of at least 10 years of active employment. To receive OTC benefits, you have to enroll in a suitable healthcare plan offered by any recognized healthcare insurance company.

A successful enrolment will allow you to have your own OTC card; it’s just like another credit or debit card. Upon activation of the card, you just need to swipe the card at stores to purchase enlisted products. Along with the age and employment-related requirements, the following factors also play a vital role in receiving and using the benefits of the OTC card:

• Only US citizens are entitled to receive and use OTC benefits.
• The OTC card cannot be used worldwide.
• The healthcare plan must include OTC benefits.

Items Entitled for OTC Benefit

People often become confused and assume that they can buy every healthcare product with an OTC card. In fact, you cannot buy every treatment item. So, before it becomes too difficult to determine what stores accept OTC card, you should have a general understanding of the enumerated “over-the-counter” items. Firstly, you can purchase enlisted medical supplies with the OTC card.

Medical supplies, as an example, can be motion sickness devices, hot water bottles, personal protective equipment, contact lenses, first aid supplies, hearing aid batteries, and so on. Secondly, you can use an OTC card to purchase the listed drugs and medicines. It should be mentioned that OTC-approved drugs and medicines are no longer required to be prescribed.

The drugs and medicines include cold sore medications, cold & flu medicines, pain relievers, lactose intolerance pills, wart removers, nicotine gums or patches, motion sickness pills, etc. Thirdly, there are some other eligible items you can purchase with your OTC card. For instance, fiber supplements, calcium supplements, hormone therapy, vaporizers, nasal strips, joint supplements, herbal medicines, and so on.

You should remember that these items fall into the ‘dual-purpose items category’ and are subject to approval from a physician or healthcare provider.

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Mode of Using OTC Card

There are four ways in which you can use the OTC card.

• In-store: You can swipe your OTC card at partner stores.
• Online: By having an online account connected to your OTC card, you can make eligible item purchases online.
• Phone: You can use an OTC card to make a phone purchase. You should check with the healthcare partner for this service’s availability.
• Email: Through e-mail, you can also use your OTC card to make eligible medical item purchases. You should check with the healthcare partner for this service’s availability.

What Stores Accept OTC Card

Below is the list of stores that accept OTC cards for eligible Medicare item purchases.

1. CVS

CVS is a leading healthcare solutions provider in America. As of 2022, CVS has more than 9,932 stores throughout the US. This pharmacy chain is prominent in the California region, having 1,150 selling points.

Facts to Know

• Many CVS stores offer 24/7 services.
• Online purchasing is available.
• Online ordering allows for a ready-to-pick facility within an hour.

2. Walgreens

Walgreens is the second largest pharmacy chain in the US, behind CVS. Walgreens had 8,886 stores in the United States as of 2022. Their store locations include the concept of a “corner drugstore” with an entrance near the main streets.

Facts to Know

• Almost every Walgreens store has a drive-through facility.
• It offers discounts and promotional packages.
• One-hour delivery is available and subject to a charge of $35.
• Facilities include online ordering and pick-up within 30 minutes.

3. Dollar General

Dollar General stores sell a wide range of over-the-counter (OTC) products. Dollar General stores are easy to find, as the company has over 18,000 locations in 47 states. Customers often find purchasing from a Dollar General store convenient, cheap, and hassle-free.

Facts to Know

• Cheaper than other chain pharmacies.
• High-quality products.
• A Dollar General outlet can also be found in the rural area.
• It allows online ordering.

4. Family Dollar

Family Dollar stores are another suitable option for senior citizens to use their OTC cards. To use your OTC card at a Family Dollar store, you need to swipe your card first to get approval for the purchase. Finding a Family Dollar store is easy; this chain retailer is located in 8,000 spots in the US.

Facts to Know

• Low prices and more saving opportunities.
• Products are often sold with discounts.
• Product prices are low because they frequently sell a company’s surplus products.
• OTC cards can be used for online purchases.

5. Kroger

Kroger is well known for its affordable product prices and a wide variety of brands. It accepts OTC card payments. You can use your OCT card to reduce your monthly out-of-pocket costs while addressing health issues. This retail chain operates in 35 states and has 2,800 stores.

Facts to Know

• Offers competitive in-price purchases.
• Most of the products are free of artificial ingredients.
• This company is known best for racial equality.
• OTC cards can be used for online purchases.

6. Publix

Publix is one of the largest retailers in the US. This employee-owned business’s stores are highly suitable for OTC card users. It values its customers significantly. Publix stores offer price reductions on OTC items in addition to discounts on almost every product price. There are 1,300 Publix stores in America.

Facts to Know

• The service process is very prompt.
• Offers online ordering and in-store pickup.
• Delivery at the doorstep.
• They allow free delivery for new buyers with purchases over $10.

7. Rite Aid

Across America, Rite Aid operates 2,285 stores. This pharmacy chain is prominent in Penyselvennia, having 502 stores. The company’s mission of providing essentials for a healthy and happy life shows its excellence. You can use an OTC card to get drugs and medicines from popular brands.

Facts to Know

• It offers prescription savings.
• Ordering online enables a ready-to-pick facility within an hour.
• Above a $34.99 purchase, Rite Aid offers free shipping.

8. Duane Reade

Duane Reade is a New York-based pharmacy chain. It focuses on supplying quality healthcare items to New Yorkers. Currently, 120 Duane Reade stores are available, and 117 are located across New York. Duane Reade stores are well-known for selling branded and high-quality healthcare products.

Facts to Know

• You can use Uber’s service to get your products.
• Most of the stores have a 24/7 section.
• It is a sister company of Walgreens.
• Online ordering and pick-up facilities are available.

9. Giant Eagle

Giant Eagle’s partnership with InComm Healthcare in 2019 has enabled more than 5 million OTC cardholders to get their medicare items from Giant Eagle stores. It uses modern technology to serve customers. Giant Eagle’s pharmacy app is well-known for filling prescriptions, ordering, etc. This brand operates in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Facts to Know

• It offers free delivery for the next day.
• Highly oriented to keeping customers’ information confidential.
• Giant Eagle offers online ordering and a same-day pickup facility.

10. H.E.B

H.E.B. is another prominent retailer that accepts OTC cards. It has more than 340 stores throughout the US. It provides Medicare and grocery OTC items at a reasonable price. One of the specialties of H.E.B. is its regular updating feature regarding OTC products and prices.

Facts to Know

• Substantially popular in Texas.
• It is privately owned, so it can sell products at a cheaper rate without facing stakeholders’ objections.
• H.E.B. products are cheaper than Kroger.
• Offers top-notch online support for ordering, queries, etc.

11. Discount Drug Mart

Discount Drug Mart retails all types of over-the-counter drugs. It is an Ohio-based pharmacy chain that operates 70 stores in the state. The superiority of this retailer resides in its assistance in comparing customers’ healthcare plans to point out the cheaper but quality products.

Facts to Know

• A quality shopping experience is promised.
• The staff are friendly.
• Understands the local customers’ needs and provides appropriate solutions.

12. Walmart

Walmart is a multinational retailer in the US, operating 3,570 supercenters and 813 neighborhood markets. Walmart’s specialty is low product pricing and always having all eligible OTC products available. By visiting Walmart, you can get all your OTC items (medicines, drugs, groceries, etc.) while saving time.

Facts to Know

• Most of the time, they offer a discounted price.
• Lower price than competitors.
• Walmart offers online ordering with pickup and delivery services.

Bottom Line

The above-listed stores are prominent and reliable for making OTC item purchases. Still, we suggest you find out which store is dominant in your area. For instance, if you live in Texas, it is better that you purchase OTC items from H.E.B. This strategy provides a money-saving opportunity. However, making purchases greater than $35–$40 is strategically advantageous, as such purchases come with free delivery to your doorstep. So i think you get idea what stores accept OTC card.

Frequently Asked Question