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Over-the-Counter Drugs, Medications and Medical Care Items

The following expense list is not exhaustive and is applicable only if your plan covers OTC medications. This list may be modified by the IRS and/or your employer. If you are unsure of a potentially eligible expense, please contact your plan administrator or call (800) 759-4952.

Possibly Eligible Expenses

Some "Possibly Eligible" expenses require a letter of medical necessity from your health care provider. The letter must be current (submitted each plan year, or more frequently if the original intent was to treat the condition for a short duration) and must include the diagnosis or symptoms for which the patient is being treated and specific information on how the product or service is intended to alleviate symptoms or improve function.

Expense List

Type Of Service/Expense	Medical Only (Eligible)	Dual Purpose (Possibly Eligible)	Not Eligible	Additional Information / Examples
Acne Medications		X		The cost of treatments to treat the disease of acne is reimbursable. The cost of treatments to treat an occasional outbreak or blemish is not reimbursable.
Allergy Medications	X			Actifed, Benadryl, Claritin, Sudafed, etc.
Antacids	X			Gas-X, Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, Pepcid AC, Prilosec, Tagamet HB, Zantac, etc.
Antibiotic Ointments	X			Bacitraycin, Neosporin, Polysporin, etc.
Antidiarrheal Medicines, Laxatives	X			Ex-Lax, Immodium AD, Pepto Bismol, etc
Anitfungal Medicines	X			Lamisil, Lotramin AF, Micatin, Tinactin, etc
Antihistamines	X			Actifed, Chlor-Trimetron, Contac, Drixoral, Sudafed, Triaminic, Etc.
Anti-Itch Medications	X			Bactaid, Caladryl, Calamine lotion, Cortaid, Hydrocortisone, Lanacane, etc.
Antiseptics	X			Antiseptic sprays, washes, Bactine, etc.
Artificial Tears / Lubricant Ointments	X			Murine, Refresh, Tears Naturale, PM Eye Ointments, etc.
Asthma Medications	X			Bronkaid, Primatene, etc.
Back Pain Medications	X
Burn Treatments	X
Calcium Supplements			X	Unless prescribed by a physician to treat underlying illness.
Carpal Tunnel Wrist Support	X
Cold Sore/Fever Blister Medications	X
Cold Medications	X
Cold Pack	X			If used to treat injury
Contact Lens Supplies	X			Cleaners, Solutions, etc.
Contraceptives	X			Condoms, spermicidal foam, etc.
Cosmetics			X	Facial creams, lotions, moisturizers, makeup, perfume, hair removal products
Cough Drops	X
Cough Suppressants	X
Crutches	X
Decongestants	X			Afrin, Neo-Synephrine, Etc
Dental Pain Medications	X			Anbesol, Orajel, etc.
Dental Products			X	Dental Floss, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Whitening products
Denture Care	X			Adhesives, etc.
Deodorant			X
Diabetes Care And Supplies	X			Monitors & kits, lancets, test strips, etc.
Diaper Rash Medications	X			A & D, Balmex, Desitin, Etc.
Dietary/Nutritional Supplements			X	Protein Bars, Power drinks, Ensure, Glucerna, etc.
Expectorants	X
Eye Care	X
Family Planning	X
Feminine Hygiene Products			X	Unless required due to surgery or childbirth. Supporting documentation required.
Fever Reducers	X
Fiber Supplements		X		Supplements such as FiberCon or Metamucil may be reimbursable if prescribed to treat an underlying illness such as arthritis. Not reimbursable for general health improvement.
First Aid Supplies	X			Antiseptics, bandages, elastic bandages, First Aid Kits, first aid tape, gauze and pads, liquid adhesives, etc.
Flu Remedies	X
Foot Care	X			Blister & bunion treatments, corn & callus treatments, etc.
Hair Removal Products			X
Heating Pad, Hot Pack	X			If used to treat injury
Hemorrhoid Treatments	X			Preparation H, Tucks, etc.
Herbal Supplements		X		Supplements such as St Johns Wort may be reimbursable if prescribed to treat an underlying illness such as depression. Letter of medical necessity is required. Not reimbursable for general health improvement.
Home Diagnostic Tests Or Kits	X
Hormone Therapy Treatments		X		If used to treat peri-menopausal or menopausal symptoms. Not reimbursable for general health.
Insect Bite Medications	X
Joint Supplements		X		Supplements such as Glucosamine or Chondroitin may be reimbursable if prescribed to treat an underlying illness such as arthritis. Letter of medical necessity is required. Not reimbursable for general health improvement.
Lactose Intolerance	X			Lactaid, Lacteeze, etc
Laxatives	X
Lice Treatments	X			Nix, Rid, etc.
Lip Moisturizers			X	Blistex, chapstick, etc.
Medicated Ointments	X			Mentholatum, Vicks Vapo-Rub, Etc.
Menstrual Pain & Symptom Treatments	X			Midol, Pamprin, Premysyn, etc.
Migraine Medications	X
Motion Sickness Treatments	X
Muscle Or Joint Pain Treatments	X			BenGay, IcyHot, TigerBalm, etc.
Pain Relievers	X			Acetaminophin, Aspirin, Ibuprofen,
Pedialyte		X		To treat an ill child’s dehydration
Reading Glasses	X
Rogaine			X	If used for cosmetic purposes (such as hereditary hair loss), expense is not reimbursable
Rogaine		X		If used to treat hair loss caused by a specific medical condition, expense is reimbursable
Shampoo, non-medicated			X
Sinus Medications	X			Alleve Sinus, Actifed Sinus, Sinutab, Sudafed, Etc
Smoking Cessation Products	X
Sunburn Medications	X
Suntan Gels, Lotions			X
Teething Pain / Toothache Medications	X			Orajel
Thermometers	X
Toiletries			X	Examples include shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, razors, etc
Topical Medications	X
Toothpaste, Toothbrushes			X	Ineligible even if recommended by a dentist
Vitamins		X		May be reimbursable if prescribed to treat an underlying illness such as vitamin deficiency. Letter of medical necessity is required. Not reimbursable for general health improvement.
Wart Removal Products	X