Searching for a comprehensive list of reimbursable/not reimbursable OTC items

[Guest cstrong]

Has anyone seen a comprehensive list of OTC medications that sets forth what is reimburseable, what is not reimbursable and what is reimbursable only with a doctor's note? Aside from the items in the revenue ruling, many items are questionable. For example, what about contact solution? I have heard commentators say that it is both reimbursable and it is not reimbursable.

Cstrong

[Guest JerseyGirl]

For reasons that I can not explain -- except, perhaps, that someone on the decision-making committee was a contact lens wearer -- contact solution was a reimbursable expense long before the Sept 3rd Revenue Ruling. I believe the theory is that the solutions provide care and maintainance of a prescription-only item.

With over 300,000 items available over-the-counter nation-wide, and the conspicuous absence of guidance from the IRS, we will all feel our way along with this for quite a while. I find the *but for* test comes in very handy – would someone have bought contact solution but for the fact that they wear contacts? Would they purchase antacids if they didn’t have indigestion? Of course, this doesn’t work with everything (Nyquil has lots of alcohol and therefore, lots of non-medical possibilities!!), but I would suggest that if it seems reasonable, allow it; if it seems suspect, ask for a doctor’s note.

[Guest Laura Browne]

This was posted some time ago. We are using this list as a guideline.

You can go to: http://www.125plan.com/OTC.pdf