Health Care FSA Eligable List of Expenses

I know its been forever since I've posted, but I had to vent somewhere. I am totally infuriated about the changes made to the Flex Spending Account Eligibility's. I decided to look it over, because i am raising my allowance for 2011, since I blew through it in 2 months in 2010.


This list is crap. And basically, they are forcing you to spend more money on co-pays every time you have the sniffles (and in turn cost the insurance companies more, on the billed Dr's fees,  because you need a prescription for basic OTC stuff now). The result, inevitably, is that if you need to get medical coverage on your own, you will either have to spend a fortune or get denied altogether because of your "medical History".  They are trying to bulk up your medical history/records so they can use it against you in the end.

The point of OTC meds, is that they are safe to use without a prescription. It is completely BS to get a ‘prescription’ for OTC items, so that you can use your flex plan on it, and costs EVERYONE more in the end.
So here are some of the items that REALLY pissed me off. I mean, I am FUMING, and going to look into who I can write, or what campaign I can join to try to ease this injustice.


NOT QUALIFYING EXPENSES:
Dependent Care Expenses – Better not have kids. Daycare is no longer covered




POTENTIALLY QUALIFYING ITEMS - Basically now, if you purchase any of these items, you will have to show proof in a Dr's note or Prescription that they are medically necessary.

To save time/from repeating myself - All OTC meds, from aspirin to pain relievers, to vitamins, to antihistamines, cough suppressants and expectorants, etc., now require a Dr.'s Prescription to be covered by your flex account. This is ridiculous.

Birthing classes  - YOU ARE BIRTHING A HUMAN! You should be able to get a lesson on how to do it, without a Dr's Note.

Breast Pump - It has to be “Medically necessary”, Yeah – Because every woman is using it out of pure Joy. It is PROVEN that breast feeding is better for the baby. And formula costs a fortune.  Seems like someone (manufacturers of formula) is behind this.

Cayenne Pepper -  ????? I don't get this. At all.

Counseling!!!! - and i quote.... "Will qualify if for a medical reason. Marriage counseling doesn't qualify. To show that the expense is primarily for medical care, a note from a medical practitioner recommending the counseling to treat a specific medical condition is normally required"


Disabled Dependant Care Expenses

Hemorrhoid treatments - This needed to be listed even thought its an OTC.  

Lactation Consultant: I quote "If a woman is having lactation problems and cannot breastfeed her child, then the expense of a lactation consultant helping to overcome this dysfunction might qualify. To show that the expense is primarily for medical care, a note from a medical practitioner recommending it to treat a specific medical condition is normally required." A FREAKING NOTE. Seriously

Nicotine gum or Patches/Smoking Cessation Medications –  Must be prescribed….Don't they WANT you to quit??? Isn't it medically beneficial?

Psychologist -  Psychiatric Care is qualifying, but a Psychologist isn’t automatically. You need a Dr’s Recommendation to treat a specific thing. Not just for “General improvement of mental Health”. Again, my depression/anxiety was the reason I was denied health coverage. SO now they have a PAPER trail to not give you insurance.

Rogaine – I shit you not, if your doctor says, “Its for a medical condition” (I am sure there is a ‘condition’ for loosing your hair) it’s covered. But a breast pump isn’t.

Ultrasound, Prenatal

Wigs – Might Qualify if you lost your hair due to sickness (MIGHT)

Yeast Infection Medications – You now need a prescription for OTC yeast infection treatments. Because that’s something you’ll buy unnecessarily.


ITEMS THAT QUALIFY
Cold/hot packs ( I can’t get my OTC Allergy meds w/o a prescription, but can get an icy hot pack!)

Condoms  nice to know condoms are covered, but birth control isn’t (w/o prescription)

Ovulation Monitor! – They’ll help you get pregnant, but you’re on your own for the birth and care of human

Pregnancy Test Kits – See Above

Therapy - The Psychologist isn’t covered, but therapy is covered…That’s odd…so are they saying you can’t BUY you’re very own Psychologist, but you can pay for his/her services?

VIAGRA – I shit you not. It is listed on its VERY OWN – as a FULL QUALIFYING EXPENSE!


I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW LITTLE REGARD THEY HAVE FOR BIRTHING, FEEDING AND CARING FOR A HUMAN!!!! Seriously. Are you freaking kidding me! Birthing classes, Breast pumps and lactation consultation aren't covered automatically?? 
I think, when it comes to having a BABY, if YOU NEED IT its NECESSARY! You shouldn't need a NOTE to get help with your tiny human.

I am totally revved up about it.