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Stock up for cold and flu season with the help of Medicare Advantage

A common benefit can pay for a cabinet full of products to help fight the coughs and sniffles.*

Published: December 23, 2023 |6 minutes to read

Written by: Melanie Mannarino

A hand balances different pill bottles and boxes on top of each other, forming a pyramid.

It’s a sign of autumn just like the red and golden leaves: the first sniffles and throat clearing of the season. Catching a cold or the flu throws a curve into your daily routine, and it can pose a greater threat as we age. Immune systems weaken as we get older, so staying prepared is key.1

It’s always a good idea to contact a health care provider if you feel sick. In many cases, they may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) products you find at the drugstore to help ease your symptoms.2

Luckily, if you have an over-the-counter (OTC) benefit under a Medicare Advantage plan, those helpful items might be covered.

In this article:

When is cold and flu season?

You can catch influenza at any time, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies fall and winter as flu season. Cases typically start increasing in October, with peak flu activity generally occurring between December and February and potentially continuing through May.3

Though you can catch a respiratory virus at any time of year, you’re more likely to catch one during the fall and winter months, as people start to spend more time indoors close to one another — not to mention cold, dry air can dry out the nasal passages, making you more vulnerable to certain viral infections.4 But you can combat feeling crummy with rest, fluids and the right items at hand.

When is COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season?

In some cases, OTC products can help support symptom relief of both COVID-19 and RSV symptoms. Symptoms can be similar to those of cold and flu, including runny nose, coughing and sneezing.5 Both conditions can be especially dangerous as you age,6 so caution and preparation are key.7

Given the risks associated with these infections, however, it’s also advised to get vaccinated for both when you are eligible. Reach out to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment instructions.

Medicine cabinet: options to consider as you get older

A variety of OTC products can help, and many are eligible for the OTC benefit. If approved by your health care provider, it may be a good idea to have some of them on hand should a cold or flu strike.8

Be sure, however, to check with a provider before use. Some of these items can interact with other prescription medications or aggravate medical conditions.

  • Pain relievers: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other pain relievers can help ease aches and pains that can come with colds, flu and other respiratory viruses. They can also help reduce a fever.9
  • Decongestants: Decongestant can help reduce that stuffy, clogged feeling in your nose, helping you breathe more easily.10 Be sure to discuss decongestant use with your health care provider because it can worsen hypertension.
  • Throat lozenges: Sucking on a lozenge can help soothe a sore throat.11
  • Thermometers: Check your temperature with either a traditional or digital thermometer. A high temperature may indicate more serious illnesses, like flu,12 COVID-1913 and RSV.14
  • Nasal sprays: Different types of nasal sprays help in various ways: Saline sprays can lubricate and clear irritated sinus passages;15 decongestant sprays help open up nasal passages;16 and nasal corticosteroids help reduce inflammation in the sinuses to ease congestion.17
  • Cough medicine: There are two types of cough medicines — cough suppressants, which stifle the coughing reflex and may work better on dry coughs, and cough expectorants, which thin the mucus in your throat and may be better suited for wet coughs. Speak to your health care provider to find out which is better for you.18

Spring cleaning your medicine cabinet

While you’re stocking up for cold and flu season, it’s a great opportunity to go through your existing medications — both OTC and prescription — to make sure they haven’t expired. Medications past their expiration date can be risky to take or less effective or may not work at all.19

Start by gathering all expired medications. Then check labels to see if individual drugs have specific guidelines for disposal.

Some drugs are best flushed down the toilet. (Remember, though, don't flush your medicine unless it is on the flush list.) Others should be mixed with coffee grounds, dirt or cat litter — so that it’s harder for animals, children or anyone else to get hold of them — and sealed in a bag or container before being disposed of in the trash.20

This is also a good opportunity to figure out which OTC medications you’re low on so you can stock up on your next trip to the drugstore. Once you have that list in hand, it’s another chance to take advantage of an OTC benefit — now or in a future quarter when you still have funds left to spend.

CVS® makes it easy to redeem OTC benefits

You may be eligible to get select over-the-counter (OTC) products at no additional cost.*

Learn more about OTC benefits

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.