Ordering your OTC goodies from CVS

How to Set Up Your Online CVS Account for Blue Shield Medicare Over-the-Counter Orders

Blue Shield of California customers with the "Plan G Extra Medicare Supplement" or "Plan F Extra Medicare Supplement" and some Medicare Advantage plans (see list below) receive a quarterly allowance to order Over-the-Counter (OTC) items through CVS.

Items such as aspirin, vitamins, first-aid supplies, pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, and more are covered under this benefit.

The 2026 Catalog

This PDF contains the lists of items for 2026, with UPC and SKU numbers, and prices. There is also an FAQ section. For catalogs in other languages or other years, see the Blue Shield website.

How to Order: Register for an Online CVS OTC Account

The OTC Items Catalog and ordering instructions are available online at https://www.cvs.com/benefits/account/create-account/ or

www.blueshieldca.com/medicareOTC. You can also order items by phone at 1- 888-628-2770

(TTY: 711) from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

What to Do If You Can’t Register or See an Error Message

Getting into your online CVS account to access this benefit can sometimes be confusing, especially if you have a joint policy with a household discount. Here are some tips to resolve common problems:

• You cannot reuse an email address for more than one account

Each member creating an account needs to have a separate email address. If a member

shares an email address with a spouse or caregiver who also has an account, they will only

be able to register one account.

• Numeric values only for the Member ID number

When entering your Blue Shield member ID number, only include the numeric

values. For example, if your member ID number is ABC123456789, you will enter only “123456789.” Ignore the prefix letters (such as "XEM").

"Household Discount" 2nd members

Blue Shield of California offers couples the opportunity to purchase the same Medicare supplement plan under a combined policy, meaning that a single ID card and single subscriber ID number covers both persons. There is a 7% discount called the "household discount" that can save 7% on the premium for doing this.

In order to qualify for the discount, both people must enroll in the same exact policy and must have the same exact home and mailing address. That means that if the first person who enrolled chose a "Plan G Extra" and added on the optional "Dental PPO 1500" dental insurance plan, then the second person who enrolled must also choose the "Plan G Extra" and the optional "Dental PPO 1500." The household discount will not apply and the policies will not be combined if there is a difference in the type of plan enrolled or if a different address is listed on the application.

The household discount is also available to people who are not married, but who live in the same household and have enrolled in the same plan. But the most common situation is married couples.

If you would like to discuss getting the Household Discount or buying a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan (from Blue Shield or from other insurance companies), schedule a phone call on our calendar and we would be happy to talk about your options and answer questions.

For Household Discount combined policies, there is also an additional tip for the 2nd person (whoever enrolls last and is listed as the 2nd person on the combined policy) to register for their online CVS account :

• The second persons adds "01" onto the Member ID number

The 2nd person on a shared family plan “user 01.” When entering your Blue Shield member ID number, only include the numeric values, but add "01" onto the 9 digits. For example, if your member ID number is ABC123456789, ignore the prefix letters (such as "XEM"), and the 2nd person will enter “12345678901.”

• You cannot share an email address with your spouse, you must register with your own email address

A reminder that each member creating an account needs to have a separate email address. If a member shares an email address with a spouse or caregiver who also has an account, they will only be able to register one account.

Other Troubleshooting Suggestions:

• Clear your browser cache or try a different browser

Sometimes technical glitches cause errors during registration.

• Contact Blue Shield customer service

If you continue to have trouble, Blue Shield of California representatives can verify your Subscriber ID and help troubleshoot.

• Refer to the CVS OTC catalog FAQ

The catalog PDF linked on the Blue Shield portal includes answers to common questions about registration and ordering.

How to Place Your First Online Order for OTC Items

Once your online CVS account is set up, placing an order is straightforward:

1. Log in to your CVS OTC account through the Blue Shield portal

   This ensures your quarterly allowance is applied.

   
   

2. Browse the catalog

   The catalog includes a wide range of OTC items such as pain relief, cold remedies, vitamins, first aid supplies, and more.

   
   

3. Add items to your cart

   Keep track of your quarterly allowance balance as you shop.

   
   

4. Review and submit your order

   Confirm your shipping address and payment details (if you exceed your allowance).

   
   

5. Track your order status online

   You can view past orders and remaining OTC credits in your account dashboard.

   
   

Special Notes for Blue Shield Medicare Plans

• If you have a Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plan like Inspire (HMO), Advantage Optimum, TotalDual, or 65Plus (HMO), OTC benefits and ordering processes may differ. Check your specific plan details.

  
  

• The OTC benefit is separate from your medical & drug coverage and is designed to help you maintain wellness with everyday health products.

  
  

If you are enrolled in one of the following Blue Shield of California plans, you have the

OTC items benefit available:

• Medicare Supplement Plan G Extra

• Medicare Supplement Plan F Extra

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield Inspire (HMO) - in Los Angeles, Orange, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield Select (PPO) - in Alameda, Orange, and San Diego Counties

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield 65 Plus (HMO) - in Kern and San Diego Counties

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield 65 Plus Choice Plan (HMO) - in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield Advantage (HMO) - in San Joaquin County

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield AdvantageOptimum Plan (HMO) - in Los Angeles and Orange Counties

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield AdvantageOptimum Plan 1 (HMO) - in San Diego County

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield TotalDual Plan (HMO D-SNP) - in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties

• Medicare Advantage plans for 2026: Blue Shield Medicare (PPO) - select group plans; refer to your Evidence of Coverage to determine if you have this benefit

The Over-the-Counter (OTC) benefit is not a prescription drug benefit or prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part B or Part D.

Medicare Advantage plans change their coverage and benefits every year, so the above list may become out of date in 2027 and subsequent years.

Medicare Supplement plans are stable, and so the OTC benefit available in "Plan G Extra" and "Plan F Extra"will not be discontinued, although the list of items, prices, and ordering process may change in future years.

Schedule a Phone Appointment

If you would like to discuss getting the Household Discount or buying a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan (from Blue Shield or from other insurance companies), schedule a phone call on our calendar and we would be happy to talk about your options and answer questions.