Over-the-Counter (OTC), Grocery,* and Flex* Benefits
Over-the-Counter (OTC), Grocery, and Flex Benefits
As part of your plan benefits, VNS Health EasyCare Plus (HMO D-SNP) and VNS Health Total (HMO D-SNP) members get a Healthy Extras card. This card has your OTC, grocery, and Flex benefits all in one place.
OTC, grocery, and Flex benefits help you pay for the things you need to live well. Every month, your allowance amounts are added to your Healthy Extras card. You can spend the allowances in the way that works best for you – as long as the appropriate items are purchased using the allowance you have available.
Plan
OTC/Grocery Benefit
Flex Benefit
Plan:
VNS Health EasyCare Plus
OTC/Grocery Benefit:
$235/month (up to $2,820/year)
Flex Benefit:
$37.50/month (up to $450/year)
Plan:
VNS Health Total
OTC/Grocery Benefit:
$310/month (up to $3,720/year)
Flex Benefit:
$70/month (up to $840/year)
Before You Use Your Healthy Extras Card
When you get your card, activate it by calling the phone number on the sticker. The phone number is also on the back of your card. Activate your card right away so you can start using it!
How Your Healthy Extras Card Works
Your Healthy Extras card is easy to use — just swipe it like a prepaid card when buying eligible items.
You get amounts each month for OTC and grocery items, and for your Flex benefit.
OTC and grocery amounts do not carry over, so use them each month.
Flex amounts do carry over from month to month, but you must use it by the end of the year.
EasyCare Plus and Total members also get a Flex benefit to help pay for home utilities, or it can be used to cover items or services above the maximum covered amount for dental, hearing, and vision. You choose how to use it!
Use Flex for Utilities
Electric
Gas
Internet & Phone
Use Flex for Health Expenses
Dental Care
If you have used your full dental benefit for the year, and need another procedure, like a cap or crown.
Hearing
If you need to replace a hearing aid after you’ve reached the limit per ear every 3 years.
Vision
If you need contacts or eyeglasses (lenses and frames) that cost more than the annual limit, or if you need another pair of glasses or more contact lenses after you’ve reached the annual limit.
Member Rewards
All EasyCare Plus and Total plan members are added to our Member Rewards program. You earn rewards for completing health activities, like getting your eyes checked or having a blood pressure screening. You earn up to $30 for each health activity you complete. Your Member Rewards amounts are added to your Healthy Extras card balance once every three months as you earn them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you use the card for the first time, you must call the number on your card to activate it. Follow the instructions included on the sticker on the front of your card. The phone number to active your card also appears on the back of the card.
Once your card is activated, you can use it for eligible purchases at participating stores. No PIN or signature is required for in-store purchases — it works just like a prepaid card. Go to checkout and simply swipe the card for payment.
You can use your Healthy Extras card at participating stores in our network, such as:
Stop & Shop
Walgreens
CVS Pharmacy
Walmart
Family Dollar
Local pharmacies and bodegas in our network
For a complete list of participating stores and pharmacies, visit mybenefitscenter.com.
Contact us to report a lost or stolen Healthy Extras card. We aim to have a new card mailed to your home within 7–10 business days.
We encourage you to use stores in our network. If you must make an out-of-network purchase, you can request a reimbursement up to the benefit amount available at the time of purchase. The plan can only approve reimbursement for covered OTC items.
To request reimbursement, please follow these steps:
Submit an original itemized receipt showing the items you purchased. The receipt must include the storewhere the purchase was made, the date of purchase, the specific name(s) of the product(s) purchased, and the price paid.
Your request must include your information, so we know where to send your payment. Please be sure to include:
Your name and member ID number
The complete address where your reimbursement should be sent
Your phone number
Submit reimbursement requests within 60 days of purchase to:
VNS Health Health Plans – OTC Reimbursement 220 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017
Or fax the information to 1-646-524-8338.
Please allow up to 30 days for us to process your request and have a check mailed to you.
Use your Healthy Extras card to buy everyday health items, like nonprescription medicine and adult underwear. You can also buy healthy groceries. See the full list of items in the EasyCare Plus and Total OTC and grocery catalog.
OTC items can be bought at stores that are part of our network. For a complete list of participating stores and pharmacies, visit mybenefitscenter.com.
Online ordering To place an order online, go to mybenefitscenter.com. Log in by using your card number. Select the items you want and place the order.
Phone ordering If you would like to place your order over the phone, call our partner Convey at 1-855-858-5937 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday from 8 am to 11 pm ET. Please have your item(s) number(s) ready when you call.
Order form You may place your order by mailing in the order form to: OTC Servicing Center, P.O. Box 526266, Miami, FL 33152-9819.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my order?
If your order total exceeds your available balance, you’ll need to cover the additional amount. Your full benefit must be used before other forms of payment (such as credit cards) will be accepted. Your order total will be applied to the benefit period in which the order is received.
Pay for your goods and services as you do now and then request reimbursement for the cost up to the amount of your available balance.
Call your Care Team and say you are requesting reimbursement for your Flex allowance
Wait for approval from Care Team
Receive check up to full amount if the reimbursement was approved
Example:
Your eyeglasses cost $50, and you paid for them with a check. Since the available balance in your Flex allowance is $43, your reimbursement will be $43.
If you’re saving your balance up for a large-ticket item or service — a dental procedure or a replacement hearing aid, for example — be sure to use your balance by December 31. It will expire by end of year.
Your Flex benefit rolls over each month. Be sure to use it by the end of the year.
Call your Care Team toll free: 1-866-783-1444(TTY: 711) 7 days a week, 8 am – 8 pm (Oct. – Mar.) Weekdays, 8 am – 8 pm (Apr. – Sept.)
*Grocery and utility benefits are part of special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill and not all members qualify. Chronic illnesses include diabetes, dementia, heart failure, lung disorders, stroke, and other conditions. Eligibility for this benefit cannot be guaranteed based solely on your condition. All applicable eligibility requirements must be met before the benefit is provided. For details, please contact us.
