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allaraOTC benefits · A guide for independent pharmacies
OTC benefits

Your patients may have OTC benefits they're not using.

A practical guide to recognizing OTC benefit cards, understanding how they're processed, and helping eligible patients use their benefits at your pharmacy.

What an OTC benefit is

Many Medicare Advantage plans include an over-the-counter allowance. Members can use it for covered health and wellness products. The plan decides the amount, which items are covered, and how often the allowance refreshes.

~$5 billionin Medicare OTC allowances is estimated to go unused each year.Source: Consumer Healthcare Products Association
Varies by planAllowances often refresh monthly or quarterly. Depending on the plan, unused balances may expire at the end of the benefit period.

What it often covers

Pain & feverCold, cough & allergyVitaminsFirst aidDigestive healthOral careEye & ear careIncontinence suppliesHome health aids

Covered items vary by plan. Eligible purchases are checked at checkout.

Acceptance is only the first step.

The bigger opportunity is helping eligible patients understand what benefits they have, what they can use them for, and when they need to use them.

Callara helps pharmacies identify and engage eligible patients before benefits go unused.

See how → https://callara.ai/otc-benefits
callara.ai/otc-benefits
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allaraRecognizing the card
At the counter

Know what to look for at the counter.

Patients may not realize they have an OTC benefit, or may not recognize the card that carries it. The plan's logo is usually the largest mark on the front. The company that runs the benefit is often a small mark, and sometimes only on the back.

Common networkNationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard prepaid card
NationsBenefits

Often a Benefits Mastercard® prepaid card. Designs vary by plan. Look for the small NationsBenefits mark.

Common networkOTC Network sample card
OTC Network (InComm)

Look for the navy and orange OTC Network logo, on the front or the back.

Common networkS3 Multi-Benefit card
Solutran S3

Look for S3 Multi-Benefit on the card.

Common networkUnitedHealthcare UCard member card
UnitedHealthcare UCard

The member ID card can also carry the OTC benefit. It looks like an insurance card, so it's easy to miss.

Acceptance depends on network participation, retailer enrollment, plan setup and your pharmacy system. Verify participation before running a card.

Ask every Medicare patient"Does your health plan give you an allowance for over-the-counter health products?"A simple question at checkout helps patients find a benefit they may have forgotten.

Not every OTC benefit works the same way.

Some benefits are limited to specific retailers, mail-order programs, or network configurations. If a card isn't recognized, verify the member's benefit and your pharmacy's network participation rather than assuming the card is unsupported.

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allaraGetting started
Getting started

Ready to accept OTC benefits? Start here.

  1. 1
    Check your current setupAsk your pharmacy or POS vendor which OTC benefit networks are currently supported.
  2. 2
    Confirm network participationAcceptance depends on network enrollment and configuration.
  3. 3
    Activate the workflowAn available integration may still require enrollment or activation for your pharmacy location.
  4. 4
    Train your teamMake sure staff know what benefit cards may look like and what to ask when a patient is unsure.

Common networks you may encounter

NationsBenefitsOTC Network / InCommSolutran S3UCard
Acceptance is the first step. Utilization is the opportunity.

Accepting the card doesn't mean patients know to use it.

  1. IdentifyWhich patients have OTC benefits?
  2. InformHelp patients understand the benefit.
  3. EngageReach eligible patients before benefit periods reset.
  4. ShopHelp patients access eligible products at the pharmacy.
  5. Re-engageContinue outreach as benefits refresh.

Callara helps independent pharmacies identify OTC benefit opportunities and engage eligible patients with timely, relevant outreach, helping turn an underused benefit into better patient access and a repeatable pharmacy workflow.

How much OTC opportunity is sitting in your patient panel?

See your OTC opportunity → https://callara.ai/otc-benefits Book a quick walkthrough →
callara.ai/otc-benefits
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allaraNetwork contacts
Network contacts

Ready to enroll? Here's who to contact.

Each network runs its own enrollment and supplies its own processing options. Terms and equipment change, so confirm the current details directly with each network.

Have these ready
  • NPI
  • SIC code
  • D-U-N-S number
  • Pharmacy system name
NationsBenefits card
NationsBenefits

Enrollment for independent retailers. Ask which terminal option fits your counter, and whether your pharmacy system can process the card directly.

Contactindependentretailer@nationsbenefits.com
OTC Network card
OTC Network (InComm)

Enrollment for independent pharmacies through InComm. They ask for your NPI, SIC code and D-U-N-S number up front.

Contactincomm.com/independent-retailers
S3 Multi-Benefit card
Solutran S3

Register with the S3 Retailer Network. Ask whether you'll need a card reader or whether your pharmacy system already supports S3.

Contactsupport@s3merchantlink.comindependentnetworksupport@optum.com
UnitedHealthcare UCard
UnitedHealthcare UCard

We couldn't find a published enrollment path for independent pharmacies. Ask your Optum Rx or UnitedHealthcare network representative.

ContactYour Optum Rx or UnitedHealthcare representative
Before you order a terminalAsk your pharmacy system vendor first. Your current system may already support the network, which can mean no new device on the counter.
Want help getting set up?jack@callara.aihiral@callara.ai
4 of 4 · Contact details as of Sept 2026