Investigational Drugs

[Guest lschaab]

Are investigational drugs, or probably what I would refer to as experimental drugs or treatments for fertility eligible under an FSA? We have taken the position that a prescription filled through a pharmacy, thus producing a pharmacy receipt, would be acceptable to our claim administrators. Any one want to comment on the acceptability of this practice, or eligibility of the above?

[Guest JerseyGirl]

I think we would all like to have more details. Any drug that is still in an experimental stage would not be available from a pharmacy, with or without a prescription, and therefore could not meet your criteria. The only time I have ever heard of a drug therapy that was experimental or investigatory, it was part of a program for testing prior to FDA approval, and the patients are normally paid a nominal fee to participate, not required to pay for the treatment. Putting aside those doubts, I would think that a licensed (in the US) medical practitioner rendering the treatment should be able to provide ample documentation to substantiate the expense as being legitimate. I would not consider the possibility of this expense being legitimate if the treatment is being rendered outside the US.