Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medical Care Items
Eligible and Ineligible for Reimbursement
Under IRS guidelines, 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) Those eligible for reimbursement because they are used primarily for medical care.
2) Those ineligible for reimbursement because they are merely beneficial for general health.
3) Those eligible for reimbursement with a letter from the attending physician. The letter must cite the specific medical condition being treated and indicate that the OTC drug or medication will treat or alleviate it.
Please note that the following are representative lists. They do not include all available OTC drugs and medical care items, and the lists are subject to change. Also, individual employers choose whether to provide OTC coverage under their benefit plan. To determine whether OTC drugs and medications are covered under your FSA, please consult your employer’s benefit plan description, or call your customer service representative.
Eligible for Reimbursement*
| Product Type |
Examples include, but are not limited to: |
| Acne Medications - pill, liquid, cream, ointment, medicated soaps and cleansing pads |
Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Loma Lux Acne, Nature's Cure |
| Allergy Medicines - pill, liquid, nasal spray (see also "Eye Drops") |
Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, Claritin, Drixoral, NasalCrom, Tavist Allergy |
| Antacids (anti-gas, lactose intolerance) - liquids, pills, tablets |
Alka-Seltzer, Beano, Gas-X, Lactaid, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepcid, Pepto-Bismol, Phazyme, Rolaids, Tums |
| Antibiotic creams/ointments |
Bacitracin, Neosporin, Polysporin |
| Antidiarrheal - liquids, pills |
Imodium, Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol |
| Anti-Fungal Creams & Powders |
Aftate, Cruex, Lamisil, Lotrimin, Micatin, Tinactin |
| Anti-Itch Creams (allergy and poison ivy) |
Benadryl, Cortaid, Ivarest, Lanacort |
| Baby Care Products |
Diaper rash cream/ointment, rehydration liquids (Pedialyte, PediaSure), teething gel |
| Braces and supports |
Braces and supports for neck, wrist, ankle, elbow, knee, etc.; support stockings |
| Canker and Cold Sore Remedies |
Abreva, Anbesol, Cankaid, Carmex, Kank-A |
| Cold and Flu Medicines |
Cough & sore throat lozenges/drops, cough syrup, decongestants, homeopathic cold medicines, nasal sprays, 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) |
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, Murine, Visine |
| Feminine Yeast Infection Medicine |
Gyne-Lotrimin, Monistat |
| First Aid |
Bandages, dressings, first aid kits, peroxide, rubbing alcohol |
| Hemorrhoidal Preparations |
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 |
ThermaCare |
| Laxatives (laxatives and fiber therapy) |
Citrucel, Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, FiberCon, Fleet, Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia, Peri-Colace |
| Lice Treatments |
LiceFree, Nix, Pronto, Rid |
| Motion Sickness Medicine |
Bonine, Dramamine, motion sickness wristbands |
| Pain Relievers |
Acetaminophen, Advil, Aleve, Anbesol, Aspercreme, aspirin, Ben-Gay, Excedrin, homeopathic pain relievers, ibuprofen, Icy Hot, Midol, Mineral Ice, Motrin, naproxen sodium, pain relieving gels, Tylenol |
| Pain Relievers – Urinary Tract |
Cystex, Uristat |
| Smoking Cessation Medicine - patches and gum |
Nicoderm, Nicorette, Nicotrol, Novartis |
| Wart or Corn Removers - liquid or pads |
Compound W, Curad, Dr. Scholl's Corn Remover, Wart-Off |
*OTC drugs and medical items are not covered under all plans. This list provides examples of available drugs and items; however, it is subject to change. For more information, consult your benefit plan or contact Customer Service.
Considered Eligible for Reimbursement (When Directed in Writing by a Physician to Treat a Specific Medical Condition**)
| Product Type |
Examples include, but are not limited to: |
| Herbs |
Black cohosh, echinacea, evening primrose oil, ginkgo biloba, Ginsana, ginseng, goldenseal root, nettle, olive leaf extract, saw palmetto, St. John's wort |
| Other Supplements |
Acidophilus, alpha lipoic acid, amino acids (L-Lysine, 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 |
Simply Sleep, Sleepinal, Sominex, Unisom |
| Vitamins and Minerals |
Antioxidants, calcium, chromium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, multi-minerals, multi-vitamins, potassium, selenium, vitamins |
| Water Retention Products |
Aqua-Ban, Diurex |
| Weight Loss Products |
Pills |
The physician's letter must cite the specific medical condition being treated and indicate that the OTC drug or medication will treat or alleviate it.
**OTC drugs and medical items are not covered under all plans. This list provides examples of available drugs and items; however, it is subject to change. For more information, consult your benefit plan or contact Customer Service.
Not Eligible for Reimbursement***
| Product Type |
Examples include, but are not limited to: |
| Bath Products, Cleansers, Soap |
Aveeno, Dial, Dove, Softsoap |
| Creams, Lip Balm, Lipstick, Lotions, Moisturizers |
Basis, Biore, Eucerin, L'Oreal, Neutrogena, Nivea, Noxzema, Oil of Olay, PHisoderm |
| Dental - Miscellaneous |
Breath fresheners; dental floss, adhesives, cleansers, gel, gum, rinses; oral cleaning systems (Water Pik); tongue scrapers; whitening products/systems; toothbrushes; toothpaste |
| Deodorants/Anti-Perspirants |
Ban, Brut, Dry Idea, Speed Stick |
| Feminine Hygiene |
Always, douches, feminine lubricants and pads, tampons |
| Foot Care Products |
Arch and insole supports, Dr. Scholl's callus removers, Odor-Eaters, pedicure products, shoes, toenail clippers |
| Hair Care Products |
Conditioner and shampoo (including those used for dandruff), hairspray, styling aids |
| Hair Removal Products |
Hair-removal creams, razors, wax |
| Medicine Dispensers |
Medicine droppers, pill organizers |
| Powders |
Non-fungus fighting foot powders |
| Shaving and Grooming Products |
Aftershave, razors, shaving cream |
| Snoring Aids |
Nose drops and strips |
| Stimulants (to stay awake) |
No Doz, Vivarin |
| Sunscreen, Sunless Tanning, After Sun Products |
Coppertone, Hawaiian Tropic |
***OTC drugs and medical items are not covered under all plans. This list provides examples of available drugs and items; however, it is subject to change. For more information, consult your benefit plan or contact Customer Service |