Effective January 1, 2020 the COVID-19 Cares Act Bill included two key provisions.

The changes include:

• Over the Counter (OTC) Rx Repeal: Prescriptions or doctor’s notes will no longer be required for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, including items like Tylenol, Claritin, Antacid, etc. when purchased with an FSA or HSA.
• FSA and HSA OTC drug purchases have required a prescription or doctor’s note since 2011 per the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This relief will mean that Americans with FSAs and HSAs can now buy the OTC medicines they need to stay healthy.
• Menstrual Care Products: The bill expands the definition of qualified OTC items to include menstrual care products as eligible under an FSA or HSA.
• Employees should consider the new OTC rules when estimating the amount to put into their FSAs, HSAs or HRAs for the next plan year.