Eligible Expenses by Category
In order for Health Flexible Spending Account (Unreimbursed Medical), Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or Health Savings Account participants to be reimbursed for Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs and medicines purchased on or after January 1, 2011, a participant must provide a medical practitioner's prescription for the item(s). The prescription requirement will not apply to over–the–counter items that do not fall into the category of drug or medicine.
The following are a few examples of expenses commonly requested for reimbursement grouped by category. For a more comprehensive list of expenses that are eligible for reimbursement, including conditions on reimbursement eligibility, click here.
- OTC Drugs and Medicines (Requires Rx)
- Acid controllers
- Acne treatment
- Allergy medicine
- Analgesics
- Antacid
- Antihistamine
- Anti-itch creams
- Antibiotic first aid sprays or ointments
- Aspirin
- Baby rash ointments/creams
- Calamine lotion
- Cold medicine
- Cough suppressants
- Decongestants
- Diarrhea medicine
- Fever reducing medications
- First aid cream
- Hemorrhoid treatment
- Insect bite creams and ointments
- Laxatives
- Menstrual pain relievers
- Motion sickness pills
- Nasal sprays
- Nicotine gum or patches
- Pain relievers
- Respiratory treatments
- Sleep aids and sedatives
- Stomach remedies
- Throat lozenges
- Other OTC Items (No Rx Required)
- Back brace
- Bandages
- Blood sugar test kit and test strips
- Carpel tunnel wrist supports
- Cold/hot packs
- Condoms
- Contact lens solution/enzyme
- Crutches
- Denture adhesives
- Diabetic supplies
- Ear wax removal kits
- First aid kits
- Gauze pads
- Glucose monitoring equipment
- Hearing aids and batteries
- Incontinence supplies
- Insulin
- Liquid bandage
- Medical monitoring and testing devices
- Nasal wash systems
- Orthodontia wax
- Orthopedic shoes
- Ovulation monitor
- Reading glasses
- Sinus medication
- Spermicidal foam
- Supplies to treat a medical condition
- Thermometers
- Walkers
- Wheelchair
- Common Non-OTC Expenses
- Ambulance
- Asthma treatments
- Birth control pills
- Blood pressure monitoring devices
- Chiropractors
- Contact lenses, materials, supplies
- Copays
- Coinsurance
- Counseling
- Deductibles
- Dental/orthodontia services
- Diagnostic item/services
- Drug addiction treatment
- Eye examinations and eye glasses
- Fertility treatments
- Flu shots
- Immunizations
- Laboratory fees
- Laser eye surgery
- Nursing services
- Prescription drugs and medicines
- Physical exams
- Physical therapy
- Prenatal expenses
- Prosthesis
- Psychiatric care or psychologist
- Screening tests
- Smoking cessation programs
- X-ray fee
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Additonal Resources
- New Over-The-Counter rules
Summary of changes made to Over the Counter Drug reimbursement rules - Health FSA/HRA/HSA Resources
Additional resources for employers - Health Care Reform Summary
Summary of provisions affecting Health FSAs, HRAs, and HSAs
- New Over-The-Counter rules
American Fidelity Assurance Company does not provide tax or legal advice.
