Medicare OTC Benefit: Winter Wellness Products to Stock Up On
Prepare for Winter with OTC Benefits
Winter brings cold and flu season, dry skin, and reduced vitamin D from less sun exposure. Use your Q4 or Q1 OTC allowance to stock up on winter wellness essentials.
Cold and Flu Season Products
- Cold medicine — DayQuil/NyQuil, Robitussin, Mucinex
- Cough drops — Halls, Ricola, Cepacol
- Throat spray — Chloraseptic for sore throat
- Vapor rub — Vicks VapoRub for congestion
- Nasal spray — saline spray for dry nasal passages
- Tissues — some plans cover Kleenex and tissues
Winter Skin and Health
- Vitamin D — essential supplement during low-sun months
- Heavy moisturizer — Aquaphor, CeraVe healing ointment
- Lip balm — SPF lip protection against windburn
- Humidifier filters — replacement filters for home humidifiers
Timing Tip: Stock up on cold/flu products in October-November using your Q4 allowance, before you actually get sick. Don't wait until you're miserable to shop.