Over-the-counter (OTC) items allowance

Blue Shield of California offers an over-the-counter (OTC) items benefit which covers OTC health and wellness products, including first-aid supplies, pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, and more.

Are you eligible for the OTC items benefit?

You are eligible if you have one of the following Blue Shield of California plans:

County	Blue Shield Inspire (HMO)²	Blue Shield Inspire (HMO D-SNP)	Blue Shield Select (PPO)²	Blue Shield 65 Plus (HMO)	Blue Shield 65 Plus Choice Plan (HMO)	Blue Shield Advantage Optimum Plan (HMO)	Blue Shield Advantage Optimum Plan 1 (HMO)	Blue Shield TotalDual Plan (HMO D-SNP)	Medicare Supplement Plan G Extra*
Alameda
Fresno
Kern
Los Angeles
Madera
Merced
Orange
Riverside
Sacramento
San Bernardino
San Diego
San Joaquin
San Luis Obispo
San Mateo
Santa Barbara
Santa Clara
Stanislaus
Ventura

If your plan is not listed above, check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) to see if your plan has the OTC items benefit.
*Please note – Medicare Supplement Plan G Extra is offered Statewide in CA. The table above represents only a subset of those counties.

Quarterly benefit allowance

To find out how much your OTC items benefit covers each quarter¹, check your plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage. You can place two orders per quarter or one order per month depending on your plan. Unused allowance does not roll over into the next quarter or month. Some limitations may apply. Refer to the OTC Items Catalog for more information.

How to place an order

You can place an order online or by phone. Orders typically arrive within two weeks by mail. Refer to the OTC Items Catalog for more information.

Download your 2025 OTC Items Catalog

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (English) (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Spanish) (PDF, 4.6 MB)

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Chinese) (PDF, 3.6 MB)

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Korean) (PDF, 3.7 MB)

Blue Shield OTC Items Catalog (Vietnamese) (PDF, 4.2 MB)

To see if your plan has the OTC items benefit and to place online orders, log in or register. To request a printed copy of the catalog, call the Customer Service number on your Blue Shield member ID card.

Questions about your OTC items benefit?

If you have any questions, please call OTC Health Solutions at (888) 628-2770 (TTY:711), Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Pacific time. Translation services are available at this number.

¹Quarterly allowance: January – March; April – June; July – September; October – December.
²Available in select group plans; refer to your Evidence of Coverage to determine if you have this benefit.

H2819_25_096A1_C Accepted 05122025
Y0118_25_096A1_C 05022025

Page last updated: 6/27/2025

*Free digital copy with no obligation to enroll.

† Blue Shield Medicare Advisers are available April 1 through September 30: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays and October 1 through March 31: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

California Physician’s Service DBA Blue Shield of California is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association.

Blue Shield of California 601 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607.

For Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans: Blue Shield of California is an HMO, HMO D-SNP, PPO and a PDP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the California State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in Blue Shield of California depends on contract renewal.

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