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. Unused allowance does not roll over into the next quarter. 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, X MB)
Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Chinese) (PDF, X MB)
Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Korean) (PDF, X MB)
Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Vietnamese) (PDF, X 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.
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