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How a Medicare Advantage benefit can help with OTC pain relief support products

Manage aches and twinges with the help of a widespread — and underused — Medicare  Advantage benefit.

Written by: Cheryl Solimini

An illustration of shopping basket full of different medications and a long receipt. Scissors cut through the receipt.

Headaches, backaches, joint pain. As we get older, our aches can pile up. And so do the successful ways we learn to help manage them. That might mean stretching and exercise, or it might mean learning to use the right over-the-counter (OTC) products to try and feel better.

On another bright note, you can sometimes get help paying for pain relief support. Eligible OTC pain relief support products may be covered by a common part of most Medicare Advantage plans — the OTC benefit (MA OTC).

Read on to learn how this benefit can come in handy when you’re thinking about your pain points.

In this article:

What to know about the OTC benefit

Your health plan will mail you a designated OTC benefits card. You can use it online or in stores like a debit card for items eligible under your plan.

At many CVS® stores, widely eligible products are marked by special blue tag labels. For the most part, you can simply present the card given to you by your health care plan when checking out. Learn more about how to use the OTC benefit at CVS.

What kind of pain relief support products are available on MA OTC?

Before taking anything for pain relief, speak with a health care provider about which, if any,  OTC options may be best. Then check with your Medicaid or Medicare Advantage plan to see which products are covered.

OTC for back pain

As the first line of defense for mild to moderate discomfort, massage the area or use superficial heat from items like heating pads.1 For stronger action against aches, you and your health care provider may discuss nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen tablets.2 Another option is topical diclofenac gel. When ingredients are absorbed through the skin, that can help bypass stomach upset or other potential side effects of pills.3

OTC for arthritis

Taken by mouth, ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen can help support relief in the short term for those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Topical anti-inflammatories — particularly gels that contain diclofenac — are often used for osteoarthritis-related knee or hand pain.4

OTC for muscle pain

Try an ice bag, cold pack or patch (typically OTC-benefit eligible). When applied for up to 20 minutes every few hours while you are awake, they can help reduce muscle inflammation.5 After a day or so, a heating pad or hot patch may help loosen and relax stressed muscles.6

Muscle relaxants are only available by a doctor’s prescription. But an OTC pain relief support method, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may help with muscle soreness.7

OTC for headaches

A nonprescription product with a single active ingredient such as regular-strength aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen may help with a simple headache — and it might help manage mild to moderate migraine attacks, too.8

Combination products that contain acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine may also support relief for both tension-headache and migraine sufferers.9

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.