Flexible Spending Account Over-the-Counter (OTC) Reimbursement Charts
The following is a listing of OTC drugs by type and name-brand example. These OTC drugs fall into the following categories:
- Primarily Medical Care: This chart identifies drugs that typically fall into the category of medical care. The participant does not need a diagnosis of a specific condition and recommendation to take the OTC from a health care provider in order to receive reimbursement.
- Dual Purpose: This chart identifies drugs that typically serve a dual-purpose general health of the individual and/or to treat a specific medical condition. Participants must have a diagnosis of a specific condition and a recommendation to take the OTC by a health care provider in order to receive reimbursement.
- General Health/Cosmetic: This chart identifies drugs that are typically for the general health of the individual and/or cosmetic drugs and toiletries. These are typically not reimbursable under any circumstance.
These lists are not intended to be exhaustive. Other drugs not listed may fall into one the categories described below.
1. OTC Drugs Used Primarily for Medical Care
| These drugs are typically reimbursable with only a proper receipt. No recommendation from a health care provider is needed. | |
| Type of Drug | Examples [1] |
| Acne Treatment Allergy Prevention and Treatment | Clearasil, Proactiv Solution Benadryl, Sudafed, Actifed, Chlora Trimaton, Nasalcrom |
| Antacids and Acid Reducers | Gas-X, Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, AXID AR, Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, Tagamet HB, and Zantac 75AXID AR, Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, Tagamet HB, Zantac 75; |
| Anticandidal | Femstat 3, Gyne-Lotrimin, Mycelrx-7, Monistat 3, 7, Vagistat-1 |
| Antihistamines | Actidil Syrup and Capsules, Actifed, Allerest, Benadryl, Claritin, Chlor-Trimeton, Contac, Dimetane, Drixoral, Nyquil, Sudafed, Tavist-1, Triaminic |
| Antidiarraheal and Laxatives | Ex-Lax, Pepto-Bismol, Immodium A.D., Kaopectate |
| Anti-fungal | Lamisil AT, Lotramin AF, Micatin |
| Anti-itch Lotions and Creams (e.g., for athletes foot, jock itch, bug bites, poison ivy) | Bactine, Caldecort, Cortaid, Hydrocortisone, Lanacort, Calamine Lotion, Benadryl Cream, Caladryl, Cortaid, Lamisil AT, Lotramin AF, Micatin |
1. OTC Drugs Used Primarily for Medical Care (con’t)These typically reimbursable with only a proper receipt. No recommendation from a health care provider is needed. Cold Sore/Fever Blister | Abreva Cream |
| Cough Suppressants, Cough Drops | Robitussin, Vicks 44, Chloraseptic |
| Decongestant/ Nasal Decongestant and Cold Remedies | Advil Cold and Sinus, Afrin, Afrinol, Aleve Cold and Synus, Children’s Advil Cold, Duration, Dristan Long Lasting, Neo-Synephrine- 12 Hour, Orrivin, Sudafed, Tavist-D, Tylenol Cold and Flue, Thera-flu, Alka Seltzer Cold and Flu, Nyquil, Actidil Syrup and Capsules, Actifed, Allerest, Benadryl, Claritin, Chlor-Trimeton, Contac, Dimetane, Drixoral, Sudafed, Tavist-1, Triaminic |
| Dehydration in Children | Pediatlyte |
| Diaper Rash Ointments | Balmax and Desitin |
| External Analgesic | Ben Gay, Flexall |
| Eye Drops for Allergy/Cold Relief | Ocu Hist, Visine |
| Hemorrhoid Treatments | Preparation H, Hemorid, Tronolane |
| Internal Analgesic/antipyretic | Advil, Aleve, Children’s Motrin, Nuprin, Excedrin, Tylenol, Bayer, |
| Menstrual Cycle Medications | Midol, Pamprin, Premysyn PMS |
| Migraine | Advil Migraine Liqui-gels, Excedrin Migraine, Motrin Migraine Pain |
| Motion Sickness Medication | Dramamine and Marizine |
| Nicotine Gum or Patches and Smoking Cessation Aids | Nicorette, Nicotrol, Nicodin |
| Pediculicide (head lice) | Nix |
| Poison Ivy Protection | Ivy Block |
| Smoking Cessation | Commit, Nicoderm CQ, Nicorette, Nicotrol |
| Toothache and teething pain relievers | Orajel |
| Wart removal medication | Off-Ezy |
2. Dual Purpose OTC Drugs
| Permissible with health care provider’s note listing diagnosis of a medical condition and recommendation of OTC drug | |
| Anti-baldness/hair loss/ hair replacement/ such as Rogaine, but only if to replace hair loss due to a medical condition and not for balding due to age | |
| Medicated shampoo to treat a specific medical condition like psoriasis and only the amount in excess of the cost of normal shampoo. | |
| Dental fluoride treatments, special mouthwashes, or treatments for gingivitis | |
| Fiber supplements such as Benefiber and Metamucil | |
| Glucosamine/chondrotin for arthritis or other medical condition (not reimbursable if taken for overall joint health) | |
| Herbal supplements used to treat a specific disease such as St. John’s Wort for depression | |
| Nose strips for proper breathing or other medical conditions | |
| Retin-A (not reimbursable if used for cosmetic purposes such as wrinkle reduction) | |
| Snoring cessation aids and medications such as Breathe Right Spray, Snorezz | |
| Weight loss/dietary supplements must be for a specific medical condition such as obesity | |
| Sunscreen, if the individual has or had skin caner or other medical use. | |
| Chapstick, if used to treat chapped and broken lips, which is arguably a medical condition. | |
3. OTC Drugs Primarily - Not Reimbursable
| OTC Drugs or other products that are not for medical care |
| Deodorants |
| Face creams, moisturizers, eye creams and wrinkle reducers |
| Hair removal treatments and waxes |
| Mouth washes, antiseptics and oral anesthetics |
| Toothpaste, teeth whitening kits and powders |
| Vitamins taken to improve overall general health |
