What Are OTC Benefits?
OTC benefits are a supplemental health benefit included in select Humana health plans. Unlike traditional health insurance, which pays doctors and hospitals on your behalf, your OTC benefit works more like a prepaid debit card — except it’s loaded with funds specifically for eligible health and wellness items. Each benefit period (monthly, quarterly, or as defined by your plan), your card is automatically loaded with a set allowance. You don’t need to file a claim or submit receipts. Simply shop for eligible items, swipe your card at checkout, and your balance is drawn down automatically.Your specific benefit amount, eligible items, and reload schedule depend on your individual Humana health plan. Log in to your account at healthybenefitsplus.com/humana to see the details for your plan.
How Your OTC Card Works
1
Your Card Gets Loaded
At the start of each benefit period, your OTC allowance is automatically added to your prepaid benefits card. There’s nothing you need to do to trigger this — it happens on a set schedule based on your plan.
2
Shop for Eligible Items
Browse eligible products at participating in-store retailers like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Dollar General, or shop the full catalog online at healthybenefitsplus.com/humana. Eligible items are clearly marked in the online store.
3
Pay With Your Benefits Card
At checkout — whether in-store or online — use your benefits card just like a regular debit card. In-store, present or swipe your card at the register. Online, enter your card number during checkout.
4
Check Your Remaining Balance
After shopping, log in to the member portal or call the number on the back of your card to check your remaining balance. Keeping an eye on your balance helps you plan your next purchase before your allowance resets.
Unused balances may or may not roll over to the next period depending on your plan. Check your plan details in the portal to understand your specific rollover policy — and don’t leave money on the table!
What’s Typically Covered
Your OTC benefit covers a wide range of health and wellness products. While your specific plan’s eligible item list may vary, most plans cover items in these categories:Vitamins & Supplements
Multivitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium, fish oil, probiotics, and other dietary supplements that support your overall health and immunity.
Pain Relief & Fever
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, topical pain creams, heating pads, and similar products for managing everyday aches, pains, and fevers.
Cold, Flu & Allergy
Cough syrup, decongestants, antihistamines, throat lozenges, nasal sprays, and other remedies to help you recover faster and breathe easier.
First Aid Supplies
Bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, and other essentials for treating minor cuts, scrapes, and injuries at home.
Dental & Oral Care
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, denture adhesive, and whitening strips — everyday oral hygiene products for a healthy smile.
Diabetic Supplies
Blood glucose monitors, test strips, lancets, insulin syringes, and diabetic-friendly foot care items to help manage diabetes day to day.
Eye & Ear Care
Reading glasses, eye drops, contact lens solution, ear drops, and hearing aid batteries to support your vision and hearing health.
Personal Care
Certain personal care items like incontinence products, compression socks, and medically-oriented hygiene products may also be eligible under your plan.
What Is NOT Covered
Your OTC benefits card is specifically designed for health and wellness items — it won’t work for everything in the store. The following categories are generally not eligible:Items excluded from OTC benefits coverage
Items excluded from OTC benefits coverage
- Prescription medications — Your OTC benefit covers only over-the-counter products. Prescription drugs are handled through your plan’s pharmacy benefit, not your OTC card.
- Alcohol and tobacco products — Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, alcohol, and related products are not eligible under any OTC benefits plan.
- General groceries and household goods — Standard food items, cleaning products, paper goods, and non-health merchandise cannot be purchased with your OTC card. (Note: some Humana plans include a separate Flex or Grocery benefit — check your plan details.)
- Cosmetics and beauty products — Makeup, perfume, nail polish, and other purely cosmetic items are not covered, even if sold in the health and beauty aisle.
- Vitamins marketed as weight loss supplements — Some supplement products that make non-health claims may be excluded. When in doubt, check the online catalog.
- Pet supplies and pet medications — OTC benefits apply to your health, not your pet’s.
- Electronic devices not related to health — General electronics like smartphones, earbuds, or televisions are not eligible. However, health-specific devices like blood pressure monitors or thermometers typically are.
OTC Benefits vs. Regular Health Insurance
It’s easy to confuse your OTC benefit with your regular health insurance coverage, but the two work very differently.
Think of your OTC benefit as a built-in health shopping allowance — a proactive wellness tool meant to keep you healthy before you ever need a doctor’s visit. The more consistently you use it on preventive health products, the more value you get from your plan.
How to Check Your Balance
You never have to guess how much is left on your card. There are several convenient ways to check your current OTC benefit balance:Log In to the Portal
Sign in to your account at healthybenefitsplus.com/humana using your HealthSafe ID. Your available balance is displayed on your account dashboard as soon as you log in.
Call the Number on Your Card
Flip over your benefits card and call the member services number printed on the back. Follow the automated prompts to hear your current balance read aloud — no login required.
Finding Eligible Items and Participating Stores
When you’re ready to shop, the member portal makes it easy to find both products and places to buy them.- Browse the product catalog — Log in to healthybenefitsplus.com/humana and browse or search thousands of eligible items organized by category. You can order directly online and have products shipped to your home.
- Use the Store Finder — In the portal, the Store Finder tool lets you enter your ZIP code to locate participating retail locations near you. Major participating retailers include CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Dollar General, among others.
- Look for eligible item markers — At participating stores, eligible OTC items may be marked with shelf tags or stickers. When in doubt, the online catalog is your most reliable reference.
Not all stores carry the same selection of eligible items, and retailer participation can vary by region. Use the Store Finder in your member portal to confirm which locations near you accept your benefits card.
