Over-the-Counter (OTC), Grocery,* and Flex* Benefits
New for 2027
One monthly allowance
Use it where you need it most: food, health items, utilities, or certain health care expenses
Unused amounts expire at the end of the month
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 gives you one monthly allowance that you can use for eligible OTC items, groceries, home utilities, and certain health care expenses.
Your Health Extras card can 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
Amount
Plan:
VNS Health EasyCare Plus
Amount:
$200/month (up to $2,400/year)
Plan:
VNS Health Total
Amount:
$318/month (up to $3,816/year)
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.
Each month, your allowance is added to your Healthy Extras card.
Use your allowance the way that works best for you. You can spend it on eligible food, health items, utilities, and certain health care expenses.
Unused amounts expire at the end of the month and do not roll over to the next month.
You get one allowance on your Healthy Extras card:
Use it to buy everyday eligible health items and healthy foods.
Use it to help pay utilities and some health expenses.
Everyday Essentials
Groceries
Healthy foods like milk, cereal, rice, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, and more.
OTC Medications
Pain relievers, antacids, cold medicine, and more.
Vitamins
Daily supplements to support your overall health and wellness.
Dental Supplies
Toothpaste, dental floss, denture care, and more.
Meal Delivery
Nutritious meals from Mom’s Meals®delivered to your door.
Everyday Health items
Bandages, eye drops, foot care, and more.
Home Utilities
Electric
Gas
Internet & Phone
Certain Health Care Expenses
Dental Care
Hearing
Vision
You decide how to use your monthly allowance based on your needs.
Member Rewards
All EasyCare Plus and Total plan members are automatically enrolled in our Member Rewards program. Earn rewards for completing eligible health activities, like getting your eyes checked or having a blood pressure screening. Reward amounts vary by activity. Your rewards are added to your Healthy Extras card three times per year. See the schedule of when rewards will be issued in 2027. Rewards are available to use once your monthly OTC benefit has been fully used. Rewards expire 12 months after they are issued.
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 activate 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:
Amazon
Instacart
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 pain relievers, cold medicine, and adult underwear. You can also use it for groceries, home utility bills, certain dental, hearing, and vision services, and meals from Mom’s Meals®. See the EasyCare Plus and Total OTC and grocery catalogfor a full list of eligible items. .
You can also use your card to order meals from Mom’s Meals®.
In-store purchases
OTC items can be bought at stores that are part of our network. For a complete list of participating stores and pharmacies, visitmybenefitscenter.com.
Online ordering To place an order online, go tomybenefitscenter.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 CVS Health at1-833-875-1816(TTY: 711), Monday – Friday from 8 am to 11 pm ET. Please have your item(s) number(s) ready when you call.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my order?
Call our partner CVS Health at: 1-833-875-1816(TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 8 am – 11 pm
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 up to your available Healthy Extras card balance.
Call your Care Team and say you are requesting reimbursement for your Healthy Extras Card 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 monthly allowance is $43, your reimbursement will be $43.
Any unused amount expires at the end of the month and does not roll over to the next month. Be sure to use your allowanceeach month to get the most value from your benefit.
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.
