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Over-the-counter benefit

Use your over-the-counter allowance on health items you use every day.

Our supplemental over-the-counter benefit, or OTC benefits, can help with the cost of health items that aren’t covered as a medical or pharmacy expense under your plan.

  • The OTC benefit provides you with an allowance every quarter (three-month period) to spend on products like cold medications, first aid supplies, dental care and more.
  • Benefit dollars do not carry over from one quarter to the next. Plan ahead and check the catalog each month for items you may need.
  • Online and phone orders and in-store purchases work differently. Find out how.
Order online

How to use your OTC allowance

Use the group over-the-counter item catalog to look up eligible items and review step-by-step instructions.

GROUP OTC CATALOG
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How do I create an account for my OTC benefit?

  1. Go to cvs.com/otchs/sharp online.
  2. Click “Create account” and follow the instructions.
    • You will need:
      • Your Sharp Direct Advantage member ID number — check the front of your member ID card
      • Your date of birth
      • Your ZIP code
      • A current, unique email address
    • You must also create a password.
  3. Save your account password somewhere safe. To place online orders in the future, you'll need your member ID or email address and your password for signing in.
Blue over-the-counter-eligible product labelStorefront icon

In stores: Shop for eligible products in the group OTC catalog, shown with a blue label at participating CVS Pharmacy stores. You can also download the OTC Health Solutions app from the App Store or Google Play Store, then scan an item’s label and check if it’s eligible. After you finish shopping, go to any checkout register and show your Sharp Direct Advantage member ID card. Read important details about in-store shopping.


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Online: First, create an OTCHS account with your unique email address . Sign in to cvs.com/otchs/sharp once you have your account. To order online:

  1. Shop the available products and add items to your basket. Your order total will automatically deduct from your remaining balance at the top of the page.
  2. When you are ready to place your order, click on “Checkout.”
  3. At the checkout page, confirm your shipping address and make sure your order is correct.
  4. Place your order. That’s it!

Your order will arrive in 7-14 days. You’ll receive an email with tracking information to confirm your order is placed, when your order has shipped and another email to confirm when your order has been delivered. If an item in our order is out of stock, you will receive an email notification.


Customer service icon

By phone: Browse the group OTC catalog first. Then call OTC Health Solutions at 1-888-628-2770 (TTY: 711) and place an order over the phone. They’re available on weekdays from 9 am to 8 pm, Pacific time.

Shopping in stores vs. online and over the phone

For in-store purchases

  • Make sure you go to a participating CVS Pharmacy store.
  • Not all eligible products will be carried in all participating stores.
  • Catalog prices cannot be combined with promotional offers or rewards cards.
  • In-store pricing may vary. Prices listed in the item catalog are what will be deducted from your benefit.
  • If your in-store order costs more than your current allowance balance, you can cover the additional balance with a different method of payment.
  • Products with blue labels may be in the dedicated OTCHS section or throughout the aisles in the store.

For online and phone orders

  • Free shipping and handling for online orders. Orders typically arrive in 7-14 business days.
  • The CVS ExtraCare® card can’t be used for online or over-the-phone orders.
  • Your purchases cannot exceed your benefit allowance for the quarter.
  • There’s a quantity limit of 9 of a single item per order, per quarter except for products that have special limits. Items with special limits are marked on the catalog and on the dedicated online website.

Sharp Direct Advantage is offered by Sharp Health Plan. Sharp Health Plan is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment with Sharp Health Plan depends on contract renewal. Read the full disclaimer.

Page last updated: 2/26/2024
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