FSA reimbursement denied - WWYD?

[Susie]

Last week I bought both Calvin and I new eyeglasses online to use up FSA funds.  Since I was placing the order, I didn't put his name on it anywhere - just mine.  Reimbursement for mine was approved, but his is being denied because the receipt doesn't say who the service is for.  FFS.  When I submit receipts for contact solution, the receipts don't say who they are for!  

WWYD?  The glasses were around $100, and it is now past the deadline to use my leftover 2016 FSA funds for anything else, so I'll be pretty pissed if I can't get it reimbursed.

[lindyanne]

Can you call the company and ask them to give you a more detailed receipt. I assume his was purchased with a prescription with his name on it?

[sarahsays]

Ditto lindyanne, I would contact the company and ask for a separate receipt for his glasses with his name on it.

[Susie]

I contacted where I ordered his glasses from. Their response: "Unfortunately, we can only provide an itemized receipt once you receive your glasses, which we will gladly do."

Annoying to have to deal with it multiple times, but hopefully they will give me what I need.

[midwest07]

When we had FSAs, we could add each other as a dependent on the other person's account. So my H could get reimbursed for stuff for me only and vice versa. Maybe that won't be a help now but going forward.

[Susie]

Mar 20, 2017 9:38:24 GMT -5 midwest07 said:

When we had FSAs, we could add each other as a dependent on the other person's account. So my H could get reimbursed for stuff for me only and vice versa. Maybe that won't be a help now but going forward.

No, that's not the problem.  Calvin & Hobbes are both already listed as dependents on my account, the issue is that when I submitted the charge for reimbursement I said the expense was for Calvin (since they are his glasses), but the "bill to" and "ship to" name on the receipt was mine since I placed the order.  My glasses were on a separate receipt, which went through with no issue.  

I didn't think it would be such a big deal which one of us I said the expense was "for," I picked him because ... they're his glasses.  It didn't occur to me that it would be an issue that I paid for them and didn't change the shipping label name from me to him.  I routinely submit receipts from Amazon for things like contact solution that are "shipped to" me; it's never mattered which of us I said the product was "for."  We both use it, so I alternate.

Now in order to get reimbursed I either need to get something from the company saying that the classes are "for Calvin Derkins" which I am not sure if they'll do, or ...?  Resubmit the expense and just say it's for me, even though it's his Rx?  I don't know.  He hasn't been to an eye doctor since 2014, and I don't have any documentation of what his Rx is to show that what I ordered for him matches him, not me.  I just used the Rx that is stamped on his 3 year old, almost empty contact lens box since he said it was working fine.

Such freaking hassle over a pair of backup glasses!  FSAs sometimes seem like more trouble than they are worth, with the stupid paperwork to get totally legitimate expenses reimbursed.  I have trouble with receipts for doctor's appointment copays too, whether they have exactly the right info on them, in the manner the FSA administrator wants.  I eventually learned that I have to ask Hobbes' pedi for a "super bill" at checkout to get what the FSA admin will approve, but it's such a pain doing that with every doctor we see.

[laurensmomma]

I don't have anything valuable to add, but I can for sure commiserate. I freaking hate working with our FSA and Daycare reimbursement company. They are so bad that I know many people here don't even use the benefit since the company is so hard to work with. They tell me a different story every. single. time. I try to get my costs covered. I hate them.

My company is really missing out on the perks of this benefit. It's not really a benefit if many people are not using it due to difficulty with the process. WHY IS THIS SO HARD?

[midwest07]

Mar 20, 2017 9:58:59 GMT -5 Susie said:

Mar 20, 2017 9:38:24 GMT -5 midwest07 said:

When we had FSAs, we could add each other as a dependent on the other person's account. So my H could get reimbursed for stuff for me only and vice versa. Maybe that won't be a help now but going forward.

No, that's not the problem.  Calvin & Hobbes are both already listed as dependents on my account, the issue is that when I submitted the charge for reimbursement I said the expense was for Calvin (since they are his glasses), but the "bill to" and "ship to" name on the receipt was mine since I placed the order.  My glasses were on a separate receipt, which went through with no issue.  

I didn't think it would be such a big deal which one of us I said the expense was "for," I picked him because ... they're his glasses.  It didn't occur to me that it would be an issue that I paid for them and didn't change the shipping label name from me to him.  I routinely submit receipts from Amazon for things like contact solution that are "shipped to" me; it's never mattered which of us I said the product was "for."  We both use it, so I alternate.

Now in order to get reimbursed I either need to get something from the company saying that the classes are "for Calvin Derkins" which I am not sure if they'll do, or ...?  Resubmit the expense and just say it's for me, even though it's his Rx?  I don't know.  He hasn't been to an eye doctor since 2014, and I don't have any documentation of what his Rx is to show that what I ordered for him matches him, not me.  I just used the Rx that is stamped on his 3 year old, almost empty contact lens box since he said it was working fine.

Such freaking hassle over a pair of backup glasses!  FSAs sometimes seem like more trouble than they are worth, with the stupid paperwork to get totally legitimate expenses reimbursed.  I have trouble with receipts for doctor's appointment copays too, whether they have exactly the right info on them, in the manner the FSA administrator wants.  I eventually learned that I have to ask Hobbes' pedi for a "super bill" at checkout to get what the FSA admin will approve, but it's such a pain doing that with every doctor we see.

That is really annoying.

We have switched to an HSA and my favorite thing is that we don't have to submit receipts, we are just supposed to keep them in a file. Which I do keep them, but way less hassle than submitting.

[Deleted]

Had what sounds like a similar problem with contacts. Had to discuss with them directly but it eventually got paid out.

[livinitup]

I would change it to your name since the documentation is in your name and has otherwise been denied for Calvin.

It is absolutely a reimburseable expense, for him or you, so I would NOT mind changing the name to get the approval.

[gt7301b]

I have nothing helpful to add, but I just wanted to commiserate. I had some stuff denied last year that no one could explain. I finally just gave up and submitted a different receipt cause I my expenses exceeded my contributions.

[mrsdoe]

I would probably just submit it as it were mine. Also I didn't know you could still get solution through Fsa - I thought when they changed thinks maybe 4 ys ago there were far fewer Otc items Fsa would cover.

[Susie]

Mar 20, 2017 16:24:40 GMT -5 mrsdoe said:

Also I didn't know you could still get solution through Fsa - I thought when they changed thinks maybe 4 ys ago there were far fewer Otc items Fsa would cover.

Yup, contact solution is still ok!  So are re-wetting drops if you use those.  That's nice, because they are stupid expensive for tiny 0.5 oz bottles.

I miss the days when OTC meds like Advil and decongestants were FSA-eligible.

[noodleoo]

Mar 20, 2017 13:07:56 GMT -5 livinitup said:

I would change it to your name since the documentation is in your name and has otherwise been denied for Calvin.

It is absolutely a reimburseable expense, for him or you, so I would NOT mind changing the name to get the approval.

Ditto this. It is not unreasonable that you would need 2 pairs of glasses. And I doubt anyone is actually looking at details like the RX for the lenses. 

[orangeblossom]

Is A D P the FSA company? I generally, cannot stand them. Two transactions, for say scripts on different days, and one receipt will go through, and the other won't. It's ridiculous, and tends to have to do with the person approving. I'd try and resubmit if possible and/or call and speak to someone, which is also an exercise in patience.

Good luck.

[orangeblossom]

Mar 20, 2017 16:24:40 GMT -5 mrsdoe said:

I would probably just submit it as it were mine. Also I didn't know you could still get solution through Fsa - I thought when they changed thinks maybe 4 ys ago there were far fewer Otc items Fsa would cover.

Nope, still covered.  This link is helpful in letting you know what's eligible and what's not. 

fsastore.com/

I know Target's pharmacy (well now CVS pharmacy), will put a "+" sign next to FSA eligible items.

[ohgillian]

Mar 20, 2017 9:58:59 GMT -5 Susie said:

Mar 20, 2017 9:38:24 GMT -5 midwest07 said:

When we had FSAs, we could add each other as a dependent on the other person's account. So my H could get reimbursed for stuff for me only and vice versa. Maybe that won't be a help now but going forward.

No, that's not the problem.  Calvin & Hobbes are both already listed as dependents on my account, the issue is that when I submitted the charge for reimbursement I said the expense was for Calvin (since they are his glasses), but the "bill to" and "ship to" name on the receipt was mine since I placed the order.  My glasses were on a separate receipt, which went through with no issue.  

I didn't think it would be such a big deal which one of us I said the expense was "for," I picked him because ... they're his glasses.  It didn't occur to me that it would be an issue that I paid for them and didn't change the shipping label name from me to him.  I routinely submit receipts from Amazon for things like contact solution that are "shipped to" me; it's never mattered which of us I said the product was "for."  We both use it, so I alternate.

Now in order to get reimbursed I either need to get something from the company saying that the classes are "for Calvin Derkins" which I am not sure if they'll do, or ...?  Resubmit the expense and just say it's for me, even though it's his Rx?  I don't know.  He hasn't been to an eye doctor since 2014, and I don't have any documentation of what his Rx is to show that what I ordered for him matches him, not me.  I just used the Rx that is stamped on his 3 year old, almost empty contact lens box since he said it was working fine.

Such freaking hassle over a pair of backup glasses!  FSAs sometimes seem like more trouble than they are worth, with the stupid paperwork to get totally legitimate expenses reimbursed.  I have trouble with receipts for doctor's appointment copays too, whether they have exactly the right info on them, in the manner the FSA administrator wants.  I eventually learned that I have to ask Hobbes' pedi for a "super bill" at checkout to get what the FSA admin will approve, but it's such a pain doing that with every doctor we see.

Bolded was my thought when I read the OP. 

[kellygreen]

When this happens, I "photo shop" text onto receipts and scan a copy.

[ellipses84]

I'd see if there's a way to appeal it. Even if you are past the deadline you originally submitted prior to it.

I submitted receipts for the daycare FSA tonight for all of 2016. My deadline is at the end of the month and it better go through. Daycare's statement had both kids on it and they couldn't separate it, plus it shows the fees for each kid and subtracts the family discount. I highlighted each kid in different colors and explained the math in red text. I also submitted one for DS' old daycare and I hope they see how much we go over the limit and approve it all without a hassle.

I also need to do medical FSA and HSA reimbursement before the end of the month. I submitted a bunch of receipts a few months ago and they were all rejected and need to go back and fix them. I use the card a lot, and the HSA rolls over, but I don't want a penny of FSA money to go to waste!

[calico]

Mar 20, 2017 20:17:43 GMT -5 kellygreen said:

When this happens, I "photo shop" text onto receipts and scan a copy.

I can commiserate. I may have photoshopped the provider address on my massage receipts in order for my PITA FSA Servicer to accept them.