What Expenses Are Eligible?
The IRS has defined eligible health care expenses as amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation or treatment of a disease, and for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. The expenses must be primarily to alleviate a physical or mental defect or illness.
Keep in mind, any insurance that you may have that cover these expenses must pay first before the funds in the spending account funds are used.
Please refer to the IRS publication 502, "Medical and Dental Expenses" as a guide to covered expenses.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
To be reimbursed for over-the-counter drugs, you must submit an original cash register receipt that clearly indicates the item name (such as cold medicine, antacid, allergy medication or pain reliever), date and cost of the item purchased. According to the IRS, handwriting the required information on the receipt or attaching box tops or other product information to the receipt is not acceptable. Insufficiently documented request are not eligible for reimbursement.
Below is a list of some common over-the-counter medicines that are eligible for reimbursement. This list is not all-inclusive.
- allergy medicines
- antacids
- anti-diarrhea medicine
- anti-itch medication – creams and powders
- aspirin
- cold medications
- cough drops, syrups and throat lozenges
- Claritin
- first aid creams
- laxatives
- motion sickness medication
- muscle/joint pain relief
- nicotine gum, patches for stop smoking purposes
- pain relievers (Advil, Tylenol, etc.)
- pedialyte
- reading glasses
- sinus medication and nasal sprays
- suppositories and creams for hemorrhoids
- visine and other eye drops and products
- wart removal medications