dreamin_disney
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2008
- Messages
- 3,980
Just got this in my e-mail and thought i'd pass it on. I dont think Docotors are going to be happy having to write several NEAT RX's for FSA
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On January 1, 2011, American Fidelity Assurance Company will adjust how we reimburse overthecounter drugs and medicines inside an Unreimbursed Medical Expense Account (also known as Health FSA). These changes are due to the passage of the health care reform law (Affordable Care Act).
Included in the law are new requirements that will affect your Unreimbursed Medical Expense Account. Below is an overview of these requirements and when the changes will be implemented.
OvertheCounter Drugs and Medicines:
Effective January 1, 2011, in order to be reimbursed for overthecounter drugs and medicines purchased on or after this date, the participant must provide a medical practitioner's prescription for the item(s). American Fidelity will require a new prescription be submitted, as we will not be able to use any information that may have been previously provided (doctor's statements will no longer be accepted). The prescription must be legible and will be valid for one year from the date of issue. It must include the same information as required for a drug or medicine that is available by prescription only.
This normally includes:
1) The name and address of the patient;
2) The name and quantity of the drug prescribed and directions for use;
3) The date of issue;
4) The name, address, and phone number of the prescriber, his or her license classification, and his or her federal registry number;
5) A description of the condition for which the drug is being prescribed;
6) The signature of the medical practitioner issuing the order.
The prescription requirement will not apply to overthecounter items that do not fall into the category of drug or medicine (such as bandages, reading glasses, sunscreen, hot/cold packs, hearing aid batteries, etc.). Because of the new requirement, participants should carefully calculate the amount of contributions placed into the Unreimbursed Medical Expense Account for overthecounter items. The Internal Revenue Service will not allow the participant to change their election as a result of this new requirement.
Examples of affected items that will require a prescription include:
Acid Controllers
Allergy & Sinus
Antibiotic Products
AntiDiarrheals
AntiGas
AntiItch & Insect Bites
Antiparasitic Treatments
Baby Rash Ointments/Creams
Cold Sore Remedies
Cough, Cold & Flu
Digestive Aids
Feminine AntiFungal/AntiItch
Hemorrhoidal Preparations
Laxatives
Motion Sickness
Pain Relief
Respiratory Treatments
Sleep Aids & Sedatives
Stomach Remedies
The new law does not affect eligible medical expenses that are not considered overthecounter drugs or medicines, such as prescription drugs, copays, deductibles, prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, orthodontia, etc. It also does not apply to reimbursements for the cost of insulin, which will continue to be allowed even if purchased without a prescription.
Flex Debit Cards:
For participants whose employer offers a flex debit card, there will be a significant change in how the card works. The Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards (SIGIS) has stated that overthecounter medicines drugs and biological treatments that require a prescription would be deleted from the list of eligible items.
Therefore if a flex debit card is being used to purchase an overthecounter item that requires a prescription the card will decline the purchase. The participant can manually submit the receipt voucher and medical practitioners prescription to American Fidelity to be reimbursed.
----------------------------------
On January 1, 2011, American Fidelity Assurance Company will adjust how we reimburse overthecounter drugs and medicines inside an Unreimbursed Medical Expense Account (also known as Health FSA). These changes are due to the passage of the health care reform law (Affordable Care Act).
Included in the law are new requirements that will affect your Unreimbursed Medical Expense Account. Below is an overview of these requirements and when the changes will be implemented.
OvertheCounter Drugs and Medicines:
Effective January 1, 2011, in order to be reimbursed for overthecounter drugs and medicines purchased on or after this date, the participant must provide a medical practitioner's prescription for the item(s). American Fidelity will require a new prescription be submitted, as we will not be able to use any information that may have been previously provided (doctor's statements will no longer be accepted). The prescription must be legible and will be valid for one year from the date of issue. It must include the same information as required for a drug or medicine that is available by prescription only.
This normally includes:
1) The name and address of the patient;
2) The name and quantity of the drug prescribed and directions for use;
3) The date of issue;
4) The name, address, and phone number of the prescriber, his or her license classification, and his or her federal registry number;
5) A description of the condition for which the drug is being prescribed;
6) The signature of the medical practitioner issuing the order.
The prescription requirement will not apply to overthecounter items that do not fall into the category of drug or medicine (such as bandages, reading glasses, sunscreen, hot/cold packs, hearing aid batteries, etc.). Because of the new requirement, participants should carefully calculate the amount of contributions placed into the Unreimbursed Medical Expense Account for overthecounter items. The Internal Revenue Service will not allow the participant to change their election as a result of this new requirement.
Examples of affected items that will require a prescription include:
Acid Controllers
Allergy & Sinus
Antibiotic Products
AntiDiarrheals
AntiGas
AntiItch & Insect Bites
Antiparasitic Treatments
Baby Rash Ointments/Creams
Cold Sore Remedies
Cough, Cold & Flu
Digestive Aids
Feminine AntiFungal/AntiItch
Hemorrhoidal Preparations
Laxatives
Motion Sickness
Pain Relief
Respiratory Treatments
Sleep Aids & Sedatives
Stomach Remedies
The new law does not affect eligible medical expenses that are not considered overthecounter drugs or medicines, such as prescription drugs, copays, deductibles, prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, orthodontia, etc. It also does not apply to reimbursements for the cost of insulin, which will continue to be allowed even if purchased without a prescription.
Flex Debit Cards:
For participants whose employer offers a flex debit card, there will be a significant change in how the card works. The Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards (SIGIS) has stated that overthecounter medicines drugs and biological treatments that require a prescription would be deleted from the list of eligible items.
Therefore if a flex debit card is being used to purchase an overthecounter item that requires a prescription the card will decline the purchase. The participant can manually submit the receipt voucher and medical practitioners prescription to American Fidelity to be reimbursed.
