US Pharm. 2010;35(12):8.
Washington, DC--Beginning January 1, 2011, health insurance plans that include a flexible spending account (FSA) will require a prescription in order to reimburse the cost of OTC drugs. This means patients will have to either pay out of pocket for products like analgesics and allergy medications or visit their physician and obtain a prescription for those drugs. Insulin will still qualify for reimbursement, as will medical items that are not drugs, such as contact lens solution and first aid supplies. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) advises that individuals adjust their pretax allocations accordingly and contact their human resources department for further clarification. As before, any unused FSA money will expire at the end of the year.To comment on this article, contact rdavidson@uspharmacist.com.
