Use Your OTC Network Card at Forward Pharmacy
Save Money on Over the Counter Items
If you have a Medicare Advantage or eligible Medicaid plan, you may have access to a valuable benefit you’re not fully using yet: an OTC (over-the-counter) allowance. This benefit is designed to help cover everyday health essentials—things like pain relievers, cold and allergy medications, first aid supplies, and more—at little to no out-of-pocket cost.
The good news? Forward Pharmacy proudly accepts OTC Network cards, making it easy to use your benefit locally, with help from a knowledgeable pharmacy team you already trust.
What Is an OTC Network Card?
An OTC Network card is a benefit card provided by many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid-managed health plans. Each month or quarter, your plan may load a set dollar amount onto the card that can be used for eligible over-the-counter health items.
Rather than submitting receipts or filling out reimbursement forms, the card works right at the pharmacy checkout—similar to a debit card—when you purchase qualifying products.
OTC Network itself acts as the system that connects health plans with participating pharmacies, ensuring eligible items are automatically recognized and approved at the point of sale.
Why This Benefit Matters (and Often Goes Unused)
Every year, billions of dollars in OTC benefits go unused. Why?
- People don’t realize they have the benefit
- They’re unsure where the card can be used
- They’re uncertain which products qualify
- They assume it’s complicated (it’s not!)
Using your OTC Network card is one of the simplest ways to:
- Reduce everyday healthcare costs
- Stay stocked on essentials you already buy
- Make preventive care more affordable
At Forward Pharmacy, our team helps remove the guesswork so you can confidently use your benefit.
What You Can Buy with Your OTC Network Card
Eligible items vary by plan, but many OTC Network benefits typically cover a wide range of everyday health products, including:
Commonly Eligible Categories
- Pain relief: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin
- Cold, flu, and allergy medications
- Digestive health: antacids, anti-diarrheal products
- First aid: bandages, antiseptics, wound care
- Smoking cessation aids (patches, gum, lozenges)
- Sleep aids
- Select vitamins and supplements (coverage varies)
Some plans may also include wellness items like thermometers or masks.
Tip: Eligibility is determined automatically at checkout, so you don’t need to memorize a list—your card will approve covered items and decline non-covered ones in real time.
Using Your OTC Network Card at Forward Pharmacy
Using your OTC Network card at Forward Pharmacy is simple:
- Shop in-store for eligible OTC items
- Bring your OTC Network card to checkout
- Our system automatically identifies qualifying products
- Your benefit is applied instantly—no paperwork required
If you ever have questions, our pharmacy team is happy to help you understand what’s covered or check your balance.
Why Use Your Benefit at Forward Pharmacy?
You may have options for using your OTC benefit, but there are real advantages to choosing Forward Pharmacy.
Local, Personal Care
Forward Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy rooted in the community. That means personalized service, familiar faces, and a team that knows your health needs—not just your transaction history.
Help Navigating Benefits
OTC benefits can be confusing. At Forward Pharmacy, you’re not left guessing which items qualify or how to use your card. Our staff can guide you through the process.
Thoughtfully Curated Products
Unlike big-box retailers with endless aisles, Forward Pharmacy carries carefully selected OTC products focused on quality, effectiveness, and real patient needs.
Support Your Community
Using your OTC Network card here keeps healthcare dollars local and supports an independent pharmacy that reinvests in patient care and community health.
Do OTC Network Cards Work with Wisconsin Insurance Plans?
Yes—many health plans in Wisconsin participate in the OTC Network. Coverage and benefit amounts vary by plan and by member, but if you’ve received an OTC Network card from your insurer, you can use it at Forward Pharmacy for eligible items.
Because plan details can change:
- Benefits may be monthly or quarterly
- Unused balances may not roll over
- Product eligibility can differ by plan
If you’re unsure whether your plan includes an OTC benefit, bring in your card or ask our team—we’re happy to help you check.
Make the Most of a Benefit You Already Have
Healthcare costs add up quickly, especially for everyday items that don’t always feel “medical” but play a big role in staying well. Your OTC Network benefit is designed to help—and using it regularly can make a meaningful difference over time.
If you have an OTC Network card, don’t let it go unused. Stop by Forward Pharmacy, pick up the health essentials you need, and let your benefit work for you.