OTC Network App vs Chapter OTC App: Which is Best?

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that comes with an over-the-counter (OTC) benefit, you have a few options for where to redeem your OTC benefits. You can shop for OTC items in your plan’s participating retailers, through the catalog, over the phone, or online via a website or app. Two app names that come up often are the OTC Network app and the Chapter OTC app. 

Both apps are free, and they help people order eligible OTC items using their OTC allowance. After comparing features, ease of use, and real customer experience, one option clearly stands out for most people—especially those who want a simple, frustration-free way to use their benefits.

This guide will help you understand the differences and explain why the Chapter OTC app has quickly become a favorite among Medicare Advantage plan holders.

What you need to know about the OTC Network app

The OTC Network app was created by InComm Healthcare to be used with plans that partner with InComm. It is generally best for people who shop in stores and need help verifying that certain items are eligible to purchase with their OTC benefits. 

The app allows you to:

• Check your OTC card balance

• Scan product barcodes in a store to see if items are eligible to purchase with your OTC benefit

• Find participating retailers

• View your transaction history

The OTC Network app has quite a few drawbacks however, including:

• A difficult log-in experience

• Menus that many find difficult to navigate

• A challenging experience for verifying eligible products

• An overall clunky experience that many users find frustrating

For people who shop in stores and are very tech savvy, the OTC Network app is useful. For many others, the experience is frustrating.

What you need to know about the Chapter OTC app

The Chapter OTC app is offered by Chapter, and is focused on making it as easy as possible for people to use their Medicare OTC dollars, regardless of their insurance carrier. It’s best for people who want a simple experience and convenient, free delivery to their home. 

The app allows you to:

• Instantly see your OTC allowance

• View only eligible items for your plan’s benefit

• Order OTC items online (including household essentials and groceries, if they’re eligible for your plan)

• Get free home delivery

• Avoid barcode scanning and confusing in-store verification

• Set up reminders for your OTC benefit, so you never miss out on using them

Instead of guessing what qualifies, Chapter shows you an online OTC catalog with only approved products, eliminating confusion.

People love the Chapter OTC app and praise:

• Its clean and simple interface

• Easy checkout, similar to online retailers

• An easy-to-navigate search and browse experience

• Helpful reminders, so you never forget to use your OTC allowance

When people use the Chapter OTC app, it’s often the first time they’ve used all of their OTC dollars. 

Key differences between the OTC Network app and the Chapter OTC app

Let’s start with who the different apps are for. The OTC Network app is only for people who have a plan that uses InComm Healthcare for OTC benefits. The Chapter OTC app works with any OTC benefits offered by most Medicare Advantage insurance companies. The OTC Network app is best for people who shop in store, while the Chapter OTC app is 100% online, with free delivery to your door. 

In terms of ease of use, the Chapter OTC app is a clear winner. It has a simple layout and checkout process that’s easy for anyone to navigate. It also only shows plan approved items, so you can skip any confusion. On the other hand, OTC Network app users complain about its clunky interface—and you need to scan items in a store to determine eligibility.

Final verdict: The Chapter OTC app is better than the OTC Network app

While the OTC Network app is better for shopping in a store, most people prefer to order their OTC items online. And, the Chapter OTC app removes every pain point that normally comes with using your OTC allowance:

• No reviewing catalogs or scanning barcodes to verify item eligibility

• No fighting a confusing interface

• No driving to stores

• No worrying about checkout errors

Chapter’s OTC app was designed so that anyone, including people who rarely use smartphones, can pick it up and confidently place an order in minutes. In fact, you can even use the app on your computer without downloading anything.

Furthermore, the Chapter OTC app makes it super easy to use all of your OTC dollars every benefit period. Most Medicare Advantage OTC allowances reset every month or quarter—and any unused dollars don’t rollover. 

The Chapter OTC app not only enables you to adjust what’s in your cart to maximize your OTC benefit. It also allows you to set up reminders so you never miss a benefit period.