Re: OT?-2011 Flexible Spending Account---AARGH!

[Guest guest]

Anything otc that you could normally write off now needs a prescription - such

as claritin, cold medicines, etc. You were never able to write off the

supplements (likes vitamins and minerals)without the letter of medical

necessity. They don't want people writing off OTC stuff now - they are trying

to make it difficult knowing that most people will not bother going to the

doctor for a cold medicine.

I plan to get a prescription for his claritin and then use the LOMN just like

last year to cover the vitamins, etc...

>

> We currently use a flexible spending account through my husband's employer to

help cover the expense of supplements. We have my son's DAN sign a letter of

medical necessity to support the purchases that includes everything on his

treatment plan. When finishing this years claims today, the flexible spending

account had posted the new " rules " for 2011 saying many OTC items would not be

covered w/o a scrip. I see this as creating a giant mess! My first question is

this--Can I still use the Letter of Medical Necessity from the DAN or do I need

an individual scrip for each of the 20+ supplements he has on his treatment

plan?

> Amie

>

[Guest guest]

I work for the fed govt - here is the excerpt from the flexible spending website

explaining the change. Note specifically it says otc that are medicines or

drugs (not supplements):

July 2010

Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA and LEX HCFSA) Will Change as a

Result of the Healthcare Reform Legislation

Beginning January 1, 2011, currently eligible over-the-counter (OTC) products

that are medicines or drugs (e.g., acne treatments, allergy and cold medicines,

antacids, etc.) will not be eligible for reimbursement from your Health Care FSA

– unless, you have a prescription for that item written by your physician.

The only exception is insulin – which will not require a prescription from

January 1, 2011 forward. Other currently eligible OTC items that are not

medicines or drugs, such as bandages and nasal strips, will not require a

prescription.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSA) are not impacted by the

Healthcare Reform Legislation.

The best resource would be to go to IRS.gov........

> >

> > We currently use a flexible spending account through my husband's employer

to help cover the expense of supplements. We have my son's DAN sign a letter of

medical necessity to support the purchases that includes everything on his

treatment plan. When finishing this years claims today, the flexible spending

account had posted the new " rules " for 2011 saying many OTC items would not be

covered w/o a scrip. I see this as creating a giant mess! My first question is

this--Can I still use the Letter of Medical Necessity from the DAN or do I need

an individual scrip for each of the 20+ supplements he has on his treatment

plan?

> > Amie

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