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Over-the-counter and flex benefits

Your plan may include over-the-counter (OTC) and flex benefits that can help you save money on everyday health and wellness needs. Depending on your plan, you may receive an allowance to purchase eligible OTC items, such as pain relievers, first aid supplies and vitamins, as well as other covered expenses. Explore the information below to learn what benefits are available with your plan and how to make the most of them.

With your flex benefits, you’ll get a set amount added to your Health Alliance Plan Visa® Prepaid Card every month or quarter, depending on your plan. You can use your card at your favorite stores including Costco, Kroger, Meijer, Walgreens, Walmart and more. If you’d rather shop from the comfort of your home, an online catalog option will be available. Look for the 2027 over-the-counter catalog to arrive in your mailbox after your card arrives in December.

Sample items include:

  • Allergy, cold and flu medications
  • First aid items such as band aids or antibiotic ointment
  • Pain relievers
  • Personal care items
  • Vitamins and supplements

Many of our individual Medicare Advantage plans include the over-the-counter and flex benefit. If your employer provides your Medicare coverage, your benefit package is dependent on what your employer selected.

Depending on your plan, you may be able to use your flex card for other benefit services such as copays. Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage to see what is covered.

Your Health Alliance Plan Visa® Prepaid Card

Flex+ Rewards benefits and Healthy Living Rewards are on one card, the Health Alliance Plan Prepaid Visa® Card. Please keep the card you have. Your 2027 allowance will be added when the new plan year begins. If you are getting a new card, it should arrive in the mail in December and it will be a separate mailing from your member ID card. 

Make sure to activate your card. You can do that, check your card balance and explore ways to use your funds on the member portal or by calling (800) 931-7636 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

Healthy Living Rewards

Any Healthy Living Rewards you earn will also be added to your Health Alliance Plan Visa® Prepaid Card. With Healthy Living Rewards, you can earn rewards for doing simple, healthy things like maintaining a healthy blood pressure, completing your Annual Wellness Visit, completing screenings and more. Visit the Healthy Living Rewards page to learn more.

Flex+ Rewards frequently asked questions

  • What can I use my flex benefit on?
    For details on what’s covered and where you can use your flex benefit and rewards, log in to the member portal then select My Health & Wellbeing then Flex+ Rewards.   
     
  • When do I have to spend my flex benefit by?
    Depending on your plan, your flex benefit deposits add up and may carry over during the year. Be sure to use your allowance before it expires at the end of the month, quarter or year.
     
  • What happens to my flex benefit if I cancel my health plan?
    If your health plan ends, your flex benefit will expire on your last day of coverage.
     
  • Do I have to pay sales tax on the things I purchase with my flex benefit?
    Sales tax may be added to your order if it applies.
     
  • How do I know if my flex benefit or rewards will be used?
    If the store or item works with your flex benefit, your card will use that allowance first. If not, it will use your rewards. This helps you save your rewards for more places, since they have fewer rules.
     
  • How do I pay if my benefits don’t cover the full amount?
    Your benefits can be used first, up to the amount available. Any remaining balance must be paid with another card or payment method.
  • How do I use my Health Alliance Plan Visa® Prepaid Card?
    Use the card as you would normally use any other prepaid card. If your purchase is covered, the card will pay for it. If it doesn’t cover the full amount, you will need to use another way to pay.
     
  • How can I check my balance?
    You can see your balance by logging into the member portal and selecting My Health & Wellbeing and then Flex+ Rewards. Or you can call us at (800) 931-7636 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
     
  • How do I know if my flex benefit or rewards will be used?
    If the store or item works with your flex benefit, your card will use that allowance first. If not, it will use your rewards. This helps you save your rewards for more places, since they have fewer rules.
     
  • How do I see my transaction history?
    You can see all your transactions by logging into the member portal and selecting My Health & Wellbeing and then Flex+ Rewards.
     
  • Do I need a PIN number?
    No, your card does not need a pin. If you are asked to enter a pin at checkout, enter the last four digits of your card number.
     
  • What do I do if my card has been damaged, lost or stolen?
    You can request a new card by logging into the member portal and selecting My Health & Wellbeing and then Flex+ Rewards. You can also call us at (800) 931-7636 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET.  Most cards arrive in 5 to 10 business days. Your old card will be frozen as soon as you request a new card.
     
  • Can I use my card to withdraw cash?
    No, you cannot withdraw cash with your card.
  • How do I earn rewards?
    To see a list of things you can do to earn a reward, log in to the member portal and selecting My Health & Wellbeing and then Flex+ Rewards. Pick the ones you want and you'll earn rewards for each one. You can keep earning until you reach the limit.
     
  • What can I buy with my rewards? 
    You can buy almost anything you want with your rewards. Just no alcohol, tobaccoo or firearms. 
     
  • How do I pay if my rewards don't cover the full amount?
    Some places may let you pay for part of your balance with your rewards first and use another card for the rest. If this is not allowed, your rewards balance will need to cover the full amount.
     
  • Where can I spend my rewards?
    You can shop at in-network stores or online at major retailers that accept Visa® prepaid cards.

    • Grocery stores (e.g., Walmart and Kroger)
    • Wholesale clubs (e.g., Costco)
    • Pharmacies and drugstores (e.g., Walgreens)
    • Health and wellness stores (e.g., The Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, Natural Grocers)
    • Fitness-related purchases, such as at-home workout equipment, yoga mats, weights or wearable fitness trackers (e.g., through Amazon or big box stores)

    Keep in mind you can’t use rewards to buy alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives. And, your card may not be usable at locations associated with these items.

    • Liquor and wine stores (e.g., Total Wine, ABC Liquor, BevMo)
    • Cigar stores (e.g., JR Cigars, Famous Smoke Shop, Thompson Cigar)
    • Bars and nightclubs (e.g., Bar Louie)
    • Gun and ammunition stores (e.g., Sturm, Ruger & Co., MidwayUSA)
    • Duty-free stores, which sell alcohol and tobacco (e.g., Duty Free Americas)
    • Sporting goods stores, which sell firearms (e.g., Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Academy Sports)
    • Sports and recreation membership clubs, including golf courses and gyms, since that category of store includes gun clubs (e.g., LA Fitness, Life Time Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness)
    • Pawn shops, which sell firearms (e.g., Cash America, EZPawn)
    • Casinos, lottery and sports betting organizations (e.g., WinStar, MGM, FanDuel, DraftKings)
    • Financial institutions, including cryptocurrency (e.g., JPMorgan, Bank of America, Travelex, Western Union, Bitcoin)
    • Political and religious organizations (e.g., ActBlue, WinRed, GoFundMe)
  • What do I do if I'm missing rewards? 
    If you think a reward is missing, first log in to the member portal and select My Health & Wellbeing and then Flex+ Rewards to see if it's marked complete. Some rewards need you to check a box to say you finished the action. Others will update automatically. If it's been more than 60 days and your reward still isn't there, contact us at (800) 931-7636 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET for help.
     
  • What happens to my rewards if I cancel my health plan?
    If your health plan ends, your rewards will expire on your last day of coverage.
     
  • When do my rewards expire?
    If you are still a plan member, your rewards will expire on August 31 next year. 
  • How long does shipping take?
    Orders usually arrive in 1 to 4 days. If you’re shipping to a PO box, it may take 7 to 10 days.
     
  • How much does shipping cost?
    Shipping is $7.95 for most orders. If you spend over $50 (before tax and discounts), shipping is free.
     
  • Do I have to be home to get my order?
    No, FedEx will leave it at your front door. You don’t need to be home or sign for it.
     
  • How can I track my order?
    You’ll get an email when your order is placed. When it ships, you’ll get another email with tracking details.
     
  • What if my order is damaged or missing something?
    If something is wrong with your order, call customer service at (800) 931-7636 (TTY: 711). We’re here to help Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET.
     
  • Can I return items?
    We’re not able to take returns or exchanges because these are personal health products. This helps keep everyone safe.
     
  • Can I cancel or change my order?
    Once you place an order in the online shop, it might start processing right away. This means you may not be able to change or cancel it. If you need to make a change, please call our customer service team as soon as possible at (800) 931-7636 (TTY: 711). We’re open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET.
     
  • Can my order be shipped internationally?
    Unfortunately, we are not able to offer international shipping.
  • Still have questions?
    Contact us at (800) 931-7636 (TTY: 711). Representatives are available to help Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET.
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