Over-the-Counter Drugs Now Reimbursable
under Health Care Pre-Tax Expense Account
Effective immediately, certain
over-the-counter drugs and medicines are eligible expenses
under the Health Care Pre-Tax Expense Account.
The Health Care Pre-Tax Expense
Account provides you with a way to save tax dollars on your
out-of-pocket health care expenses. If you are currently participating
in this account, you may begin submitting claims for eligible
over-the-counter drugs immediately. Eligible expenses are drugs
or medicines used to alleviate or treat injuries or illness,
such as allergy medicines or cough drops. Expenses that simply
benefit general health, such as one-a-day vitamins, are not
eligible.
It's important to note
that you must provide appropriate documentation in order to
be reimbursed for over-the-counter drugs. This documentation
includes an itemized receipt showing the product name, cost,
and date of purchase; and, in some cases, a medical practitioner's
note.
Please also note that you cannot
newly enroll in, or change your contribution to, the Health
Care Pre-Tax Expense Account due to this new regulation. However,
you will have the opportunity to make changes for next plan
year during the annual Open Enrollment period in April 2004.
For more detailed information,
please refer to the Human Resources website at www.hr.upenn.edu/benefits/pretax/healthcare.asp or
call the Penn Benefits Center at 1-888-PENNBEN (1-888-736-6236).
--Human
Resources