Over-the-counter (OTC) items allowance

Blue Shield of California offers an over-the-counter (OTC) items benefit which covers OTC health and wellness products, including first-aid supplies, pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, and more. This benefit includes a quarterly allowance.
 

Are you eligible for the OTC items benefit?

You are eligible if you have one of the following Blue Shield of California plans:

County Blue Shield Inspire (HMO)² Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP) Blue Shield Select (PPO)2 Blue Shield 65 Plus (HMO) Blue Shield 65 Plus Choice Plan (HMO) Blue Shield Advantage Optimum Plan (HMO) Blue Shield Advantage Optimum Plan 1 (HMO) Blue Shield TotalDual Plan (HMO D-SNP) Medicare Supplement Plan G Extra*
Alameda            
Fresno                
Kern              
Los Angeles          
Madera                
Merced            
Orange        
Riverside              
Sacramento                
San Bernardino            
San Diego        
San Joaquin            
San Luis Obispo              
San Mateo              
Santa Barbara              
Santa Clara              
Stanislaus            
Ventura                

If your plan is not listed above, check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) to see if your plan has the OTC items benefit.
*Please note – Medicare Supplement Plan G Extra is offered Statewide in CA. The table above represents only a subset of those counties.

Quarterly benefit allowance

To find out how much your OTC items benefit covers each quarter1, check your plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage. You can place two orders per quarter or one order per month depending on your plan. Unused allowance does not roll over into the next quarter or month. Some limitations may apply. Refer to the OTC Items Catalog for more information.

How to place an order

You can place an order online or by phone. Orders typically arrive within two weeks by mail. Refer to the OTC Items Catalog for more information. 

Download your 2025 OTC Items Catalog

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (English) (PDF, 2.2 MB) 

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Spanish) (PDF, 4.6 MB)

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Chinese) (PDF, 3.6 MB)

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Korean) (PDF, 3.7 MB)

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Vietnamese) (PDF, 4.2 MB)

To see if your plan has the OTC items benefit and to place online orders, log in or register.

Questions about your OTC items benefit?

If you have any questions, please call OTC Health Solutions at (888) 628-2770 (TTY:711), between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday. Translation services are available at this number.

 

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1 Quarterly allowance: January – March; April – June; July – September; October – December.
2 Available in select group plans; refer to your Evidence of Coverage to determine if you have this benefit.

Y0118_24_492A2_C 09262024
H2819_24_492A2_C Accepted 10022024

Date last updated: 10/01/2024

*Free digital copy with no obligation to enroll.

† Blue Shield Medicare Advisers are available April 1 through September 30: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays and October 1 through March 31: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

© California Physician’s Service DBA Blue Shield of California 1999-2024. All rights reserved.

California Physician’s Service DBA Blue Shield of California is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association.

Blue Shield of California 601 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607.

For Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans: Blue Shield of California is an HMO, HMO D-SNP, PPO and a PDP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the California State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in Blue Shield of California depends on contract renewal.

 
 
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