Flex Spend Account users

[Deleted]

If you have/use a flex spend account maybe you can tell me if this is true.   In years past you could get reimbursed for a lot of OTC items and every December people would do Target and drugstore hauls to finish off their benefits for the year.  Then a couple years ago IRS said newp no more, and with few exceptions, eliminated reimbursement for most OTC items.  Now I'm getting emails from my FSA administrator saying even stuff like sunscreen is reimbursable.  Am I smoking crack or is this what really happened - yes, no, and yes again to OTC items? If so I'm glad that I can get reimbursed for band-aids and sunscreen but wish I'd known a few weeks ago during open enrollment - I'd have put more funds in! 

[indylady]

You're correct. OTC items like Tylenol, aspirin, etc now have to have a Rx. But things like sunscreen and contact solution do not! I like to look at drugstore.com's FSA store because they make it easy to see exactly what's included.

[emoflamingo]

I forgot about all the OTC and left $132 of my $900 allowance behind. (It's in my contract, so I'm not "losing" the money, but I was still sad about it!)

We did have to get clarification because they were saying some prescriptions weren't covered, but then prescriptions were covered. I was happy to not work in the business office at that point!

[Deleted]

Oct 23, 2014 11:19:56 GMT -5 indylady said:

You're correct. OTC items like Tylenol, aspirin, etc now have to have a Rx. But things like sunscreen and contact solution do not! I like to look at drugstore.com's FSA store because they make it easy to see exactly what's included.

I see.  So in years past when OTC was allowed I could get reimbursed for my Tylenol or what have you with just a store receipt, but now I need a prescription?  I wonder what drove the rule change.   But I'm totally getting reimbursement for my sunscreen going forward.   I am fair skinned and put it on my face and neck religiously and I use a somewhat expensive formula that is ultra lightweight and doesn't smell like sunscreen, so I can't really complain too much.  

[salsaverde]

Do you get a debit card from your FSA? Or do you have to submit receipts and are reimbursed? We now get a debit card with the allowance loaded on it. When I go to the drugstore, I pay with that first (run it as a debit card) then whatever qualifies is paid for then the rest I pay with my bank's debit card. I hope that works for you? I shared my tip with lots of co-workers and they call me their FSA spending hero.

[libbygrl109]

Oct 23, 2014 12:01:01 GMT -5 salsaverde said:

Do you get a debit card from your FSA? Or do you have to submit receipts and are reimbursed? We now get a debit card with the allowance loaded on it. When I go to the drugstore, I pay with that first (run it as a debit card) then whatever qualifies is paid for then the rest I pay with my bank's debit card. I hope that works for you? I shared my tip with lots of co-workers and they call me their FSA spending hero.

That is a good idea! I haven't gotten a debit card in the past, mainly because I like just getting the money back. Do you know if I can do both? I didn't even think I could get reimbursed for OTC things. Our FSA plan webpage is kind of lacking that info.

[Deleted]

Oct 23, 2014 12:01:01 GMT -5 salsaverde said:

Do you get a debit card from your FSA? Or do you have to submit receipts and are reimbursed? We now get a debit card with the allowance loaded on it. When I go to the drugstore, I pay with that first (run it as a debit card) then whatever qualifies is paid for then the rest I pay with my bank's debit card. I hope that works for you? I shared my tip with lots of co-workers and they call me their FSA spending hero.

I don't have that option but wish I did! I submit receipts and get reimbursed. I had a debit card when I had an HSA and loved that convenience.  It's probably too late to get one now (if I even have that option) since I've already enrolled for 2015 but maybe the next year if available. 

[Susie]

I didn't know sunscreen was on the ok list, but I know contact solution, bandages of various types, and pregnancy tests are FSA-eligible OTC items.

ETA:  contact lenses themselves are an even better way to burn $ (usefully) if you wear them.  Or Rx sunglasses.

[auntie]

I always used my extra funds to buy sunglasses. One year I miscalcuated badly and bought several pairs of Raybans as Christmas presents.