What Over-the-Counter Medications Are Eligible?
Many non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, medicines and medical care items are considered eligible for reimbursement under health care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
OTC drugs and items generally fall into one of the following three categories:
(1) Eligible: Those eligible for reimbursement because they are used primarily for medical care.
(2) Ineligible: Those ineligible for reimbursement because they are merely beneficial for general health, personal care or cosmetic.
(3) Dual Purpose: Those items that may have both a medical care and a personal care or general health purpose. These are eligible for reimbursement when the use is for medical care and a medical necessity form is submitted along with the request documenting the medical necessity. The dual purpose item must treat or alleviate the medical condition being treated.
There are over 32,000 eligible over-the-counter items included on the IIAS approved list. This list continues to be reviewed and updated almost daily. What is contained within this FAQ is only a small portion of the over-the-counter items available.
Any generic or brand name of this type of expense is eligible for reimbursement. The name brands listed here are for example purposes only. When purchasing eligible over-the-counter items with your benefits debit card at an IIAS merchant, you will not be required to send in substantiation as the substantiation is already done at the point of purchase. Ineligible or dual purpose items will be denied at the point of service when using your benefits debit card. Dual purpose items will need to be submitted online or by fax with follow-up substantiation, and in some cases a medical necessity form, provided before reimbursement can be made.
Visit our home page, Flexible Benefits, Over-the-Counter Medications for a summary of eligible, ineligible and dual purpose expenses by item type.
Items Eligible for Reimbursement
Acne Medications pill, liquid, cream, ointment, medicated soaps and cleansing pads. Examples: Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Loma Lux Acne, Nature?s Cure
Allergy Medicines pill, liquid, nasal spray (see also Eye Drops)
Examples: Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, Claritin Drixoral, NasalCrom, Tavist Allergy
Antacids (anti-gas, lactose intolerance) liquids, pills, tablets
Examples: Alka-Seltzer, Beano, Gas-X, Lactaid, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepcid, Pepto-Bismol, Phazyme, Rolaids, Tums
Antibiotic creams/ointments
Examples: Bacitracin, Neosporin, Polysporin
Antidiarrheal liquids, pills
Examples: Imodium, Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol
Anti-Fungal creams and powders
Examples: Aftate, Cruex, Lamisil, Lotrimin, Micatin,Tinactin
Anti-Itch creams allergy and poison ivy
Examples: Benadryl, Cortaid, Ivarest, Lanacort
Baby Care products Diaper rash cream/ointment, rehydration liquids,
teething gel
Examples of rehydration liquids: Pedialyte, PediaSure
Braces and supports for neck, wrist, ankle, elbow, knee, etc.; support stockings
Canker and Cold Sore Remedies Examples: Abreva, Anbesol, Cankaid, Carmex Kank-A
Cold Medicines cough & sore throat lozenges/drops, cough syrup, decongestants, homeopathic cold medicines, nasal sprays
Examples: TheraFlu, Tylenol Cold, vapor rubs
Contraceptives/Family Planning condoms, contraceptive creams, pregnancy tests, ovulation predictor kits
Diabetic Supplies/Equipment alcohol swabs; blood glucose control solutions, monitors, strips and products; lancets and lancet devices, urine testing products
Ear Drops (ear wax removal)
Examples: Auro Ear Drops, Debrox Ear Drops, Murine Ear Drops
Eye Care Products saline and cleaning solutions, eyeglasses, contact Lenses
Eye Drops/Eye Wash Products eye wash products to clean out eye or remove
foreign objects
Examples: Murine, Visine
Feminine Yeast Infection Medicine
Examples: Gyne-Lotrimin, Monistat
First Aid Bandages, dressings, first aid kits, peroxide, rubbing alcohol
Hemorrhoidal Preparations Examples: Preparation H, Tucks
Home Diagnostic Tests or Kits Cholesterol, colorectal, drug, HIV, ovulation predictor, pregnancy and urine tests; thermometers (ear or standard)
Hot/Cold Packs Example: ThermaCare
Laxatives (laxatives and fiber therapy)
Examples: Citrucel, Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, FiberCon, Fleet, Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia, Peri-Colace
Lice Treatments Examples: LiceFree, Nix, Pronto, Rid
Motion Sickness Medicine Examples: Bonine, Dramamine, motion sickness wristbands
Pain Relievers Examples: Acetaminophen, Advil, Aleve, Anbesol, Aspercreme, aspirin, Ben-Gay, homeopathic pain relievers, ibuprofen, Icy Hot, Midol, Mineral Ice, Motrin, naproxen sodium, pain relieving gels, Tylenol
Pain Relievers - Urinary Tract
Examples: Cystex, Uristat
Smoking Cessation Medicine - patches and gum
Examples: Nicoderm, Nicorette, Nicotrol, Novartis
Sunscreen with high SPF (e.g., 30 or 45)
Wart or Corn Removers - liquid or pads
Examples: Compound W, Curad, Dr. Scholl?s Corn Remover, Wart-Off
NEVER ELIGIBLE
The following items are examples of products that are NEVER ELIGIBLE for reimbursement.
Bath Products, Cleansers, Soap (Personal Use) Aveeno, Dial, Dove, Softsoap
Creams, Lip Balm, Lipstick, Lotions, Moisturizers (Personal Use)
Examples: Basis, Biore, Eucerin, L'Oreal, Neutrogena, Nivea, Noxzema, Oil of Olay, PHisoderm
Dental - Miscellaneous (Personal Use or Cosmetic)
Examples: Breath fresheners; dental floss, adhesives, cleansers, gel, gum, rinses; oral cleaning systems (Water Pik); tongue scrapers; whitening products/systems; toothbrushes; toothpaste
Deodorants/Anti-Perspirants (Personal Use) Examples: Ban, Brut, Dry Idea, Speed Stick
Feminine Hygiene (Personal Use) Examples: Always, douches, feminine lubricants and pads, Tampons
Foot Care Products (Personal Use) Examples: Arch and insole supports, Dr. Scholl's callus removers, Odor-Eaters, pedicure products, shoes, toenail clippers
Hair Care Products (Personal Use) Conditioner and shampoo (including those used for dandruff), hairspray, styling aids
Hair Removal Products (Cosmetic) Hair-removal creams, razors, wax
Medicine Dispensers (Personal Use) Medicine droppers, pill organizers
Powders (Personal Use) Non-fungus fighting foot powders
Shaving and Grooming Products (Personal Use) Aftershave, razors, shaving cream
Snoring Aids (General Well Being) Nose drops and strips
Stimulants (General Well Being) No Doz, Vivarin
Food provided with Weight Loss Programs (Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, etc.) are never eligible
DUAL PURPOSE ITEMS
Considered Eligible When Medical Necessary to Treat a Specific Medical Condition (submit reimbursement request and documentation with Medical Necessity Form)
Herbs (Must be medically necessary and treat a specific medical condition. Cannot be for general health or well being)
Black cohosh, echinacea, evening primrose oil, ginkgo biloba, Ginsana, ginseng, goldenseal root, nettle, olive leaf extract, saw palmetto, St. John's wort
Other Supplements (Must be medically necessary and treat a specific medical condition. Cannot be for general health or well being)
Acidophilus, alpha lipoic acid, amino acids (LLysine, L-Arginine, L-Carnitine) chondroitin sulfate, cod liver oil, DHA, DHEA, EFO, flax seed oil, glucosamine complex, glucosamine sulfate, kelp, melatonin, omega-3, shark cartilage
Sleep Induction Medicine (Must be medically necessary and treat a specific medical condition. Cannot be for general health or well being)
Simply Sleep, Sleepinal, Sominex, Unisom
Vitamins and Minerals (Must be medically necessary and treat a specific medical condition. Cannot be for general health or well being)
Antioxidants, calcium, chromium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, multi-minerals, multi-vitamins, potassium, selenium, vitamins
Water Retention Products (Must be medically necessary and treat a specific medical condition. Cannot be for general health or well being) Aqua-Ban, Diurex
Weight Loss Products (Must be medically necessary and treat a specific medical condition. Cannot be for general health or well being) Pills, food is never eligible.
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