The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: dragonwalker on October 04, 2023, 12:24:14 PM
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The other day I went with a friend and their mother as we made a quick stop at the local CVS pharmacy to pick up a few over the counter supplies like eye drops, Neosporin. As they were checking out they pulled out a white card and presented it to the cashier who scanned it and the price of the goods dropped from $60 to $5.
I asked about the card and my friend was a little vague but said it was a "health savings card". I didn't ask to many questions about details because I'm not sure if it might be tied into some kind of low income benefit and didn't want to embarrass my friend. I do believe the card belongs to my friend's mother who is about 70 and does earn very limited income. They spoke of the card as if I may be able to obtain one as well.
I tried to look into it and couldn't find anything other than an actual Health Savings Account card for having a Health Savings Account High Deductible plan but I don't think it's that because my friend's mother doesn't work for an employer with one and it actually reduces the cost of the goods while they still paid the $5 balance with a normal credit card. Does anyone here know about this card? Where I can read up on it to see if I can qualify and what the requirements are?
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My FSA where I used to work came with a debit card but I always preferred to pay with my own credit card and get reimbursed.
My kids got reward cards from Medicaid for getting flu shots last year that could be used on certain things like fresh produce or I believe otc meds.
Could just be they spent rewards points and scanned a card instead of typing their phone number, or mom is really good with the digital coupons lol.
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Maybe it was GoodRx? I've seen other brands in doctor's offices. Basically they negotiate discounts with various pharmacies, they can sometimes beat insurance co-pays.
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Over the counter allowances are a pretty common thing with Medicare advantage plans.
https://www.medicarefaq.com/faqs/medicare-advantage-over-the-counter-cards/#:~:text=An%20OTC%20Medicare%20card%20is,counter%20products%20at%20participating%20locations