Requests For OTC Prescriptions For A FSA Burdens Primary Care
Posted Feb 27 2011 3:21pm
As reported by MSNBC, the federal government will no longer allow flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to be used for over the counter medications, without a prescription. FSAs, which are offered by many employers, allow you to use tax free dollars for medical expenses that aren’t covered by your insurance. FSAs are a great idea and can be used for things like eye glasses, dentistry, or even nicotine patches for smoking cessation.
The people most likely affected by this rule are those that take over the counter medications on a regular basis. Examples of such medications include pills for allergies, heartburn , aspirin for heart attack prevention, and smoking cessation aids. Medical supplies like insulin syringes and crutches, though sold over the counter, are exempted.
Now, you might think, “no big deal, I will just call my doctor and ask her to call in a prescription for a baby aspirin a day.” This would certainly solve your problem, but it adds to your physician’s problem and is a perfect example of the problems with the reimbursement system for health care, particularly for primary care.
As reported by MSNBC, the federal government will no longer allow flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to be used for over the counter medications, without a prescription. FSAs, which are offered by many employers, allow you to use tax free dollars for medical expenses that aren’t covered by your insurance. FSAs are a great idea and can be used for things like eye glasses, dentistry, or even nicotine patches for smoking cessation.
The people most likely affected by this rule are those that take over the counter medications on a regular basis. Examples of such medications include pills for allergies, heartburn , aspirin for heart attack prevention, and smoking cessation aids. Medical supplies like insulin syringes and crutches, though sold over the counter, are exempted.
Now, you might think, “no big deal, I will just call my doctor and ask her to call in a prescription for a baby aspirin a day.” This would certainly solve your problem, but it adds to your physician’s problem and is a perfect example of the problems with the reimbursement system for health care, particularly for primary care.