New healthcare laws say OTC products require an RX if you want to use FSA dollars

[rudeguy]

Why should I pay more tax to subsidize you getting cheaper condoms? Using less of my tax dollars for your minor medical needs is the first step towards lower health care costs.

Oh wait, now that I think about it, maybe I should...

and one more thing...

Your precious Obamacare says you have to pay for them....if you are paying for them, which you aren't.

 

[dullard]

and one more thing...

Your precious Obamacare says you have to pay for them....if you are paying for them, which you aren't.

I wouldn't put Obamacare as "mine". I'd much rather see the government building dozens of medical schools with my tax money. I'd much rather see tax credits for buying insurance. I do though, agree with the FSA reductions. The less we subsidize health care, the less it will cost. People need to use less, not more.

The rest of your sentence has so many possible meanings since you didn't define "them". I couldn't tell exactly what you meant by it.

 

[mpo]

According to the list in the OP, condoms are still eligible for FSA reimbursement without a prescription, as are Birth control devices (over-the-counter), Birth control (prescription or other), and Birth control devices (over-the-counter) [I have no idea why this is in the list twice].

However, Contraceptives (over-the-counter), do require a script for reimbursement.

Note to self--make sure the pharmacist rings up everything as birth control devices and not contraceptives.

 

[rudeguy]

I'm still waiting for an explanation as to how the fact that over-the-counter drugs and medical products will no longer be eligible for purchase with pre-tax dollars starting in 2011 PREVENTS the OP from purchasing nicorettes and condoms without first seeing his physician.

I'm going by what Obamacare says. It says those expenses are covered but I need a prescription. Do you know a way of getting a prescription without seeing a physician?

 

[dullard]

I'm going by what Obamacare says. It says those expenses are covered but I need a prescription. Do you know a way of getting a prescription without seeing a physician?

No, no it doesn't say that exactly. It says to use your FSA, you need a prescription. You can always buy it over the counter without a prescription, but you won't get the tax subsidy on that purchase. Try linking the exact line in the law on a governmental link that states otherwise. I'll wait.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Right

Its my money. I bust my tail to take care of my son and myself. I have no problem paying taxes, I actually take pride in doing it. But this sense of entitlement the Democrats seem to have towards my paycheck is out of control.

the difference between us:

i think the money i made is mine, and lowering the % i pay in taxes increases my take home.

you think its the governments, and when your tax rate goes down for some reason it is costing the government money.

ex: a tax increase: you say the government is getting more money. I say i am loosing more.

You're sitting within a tax loophole. Basically, you're not paying your taxes. So quit your bitching.

 

[ebaycj]

Solution:

A doctor gets a prescription pad pre-printed with a list of all items anyone could want to buy with their FSA.

He then signs his name at the bottom.

Everyone gets a prescription like this upon leaving his office.

Business quadruples overnight.

 

[rudeguy]

No, no it doesn't say that exactly. It says to use your FSA, you need a prescription. You can always buy it over the counter without a prescription, but you won't get the tax subsidy on that purchase. Try linking the exact line in the law on a governmental link that states otherwise. I'll wait.

Of course I could pay full price. Just like you could pay $10k more than you owe in taxes every year. Are you willing to do that?

 

[dullard]

Of course I could pay full price.
So, first you have a post that says you "have to see my doctor if I want to quite smoking or buy condoms". Now, you backtrack and say that you don't have to. Which is it?

Just like you could pay $10k more than you owe in taxes every year. Are you willing to do that?

Just like arguing with a bad sports rule, I play by the rules while trying to change them in the future. I'm fully willing to pay $10k more if the rest of the country in similar situations does too. But just one person doing it is folly as it is far too small to be of any impact.

 

[rudeguy]

Of course I could pay full price.
So, first you have a post that says you "have to see my doctor if I want to quite smoking or buy condoms". Now, you backtrack and say that you don't have to. Which is it?

Just like arguing with a bad sports rule, I play by the rules while trying to change them in the future. I'm fully willing to pay $10k more if the rest of the country in similar situations does too. But just one person doing it is folly as it is far too small to be of any impact.

I have to if I want to use flex money, that's in the OP.

So you aren't willing to take the initiative and get the country going in the right direction? Wouldn't that $10k provide needed healthcare, food or other necessities for needy people? Even if for only one or two families, isn't that worth it?

 

[herm0016]

i am not sitting anywhere, i do not have an FSA. I use very little in the way of medication.

 

[dullard]

I have to if I want to use flex money, that's in the OP.

That isn't what the title says, and thus the title is misleading. Please fix it.

So you aren't willing to take the initiative and get the country going in the right direction? Wouldn't that $10k provide needed healthcare, food or other necessities for needy people? Even if for only one or two families, isn't that worth it?

I donate money to needy families. I'm also willing to put in $10k more in taxes if I get sufficient matching funds (from others in my situation putting $10k in their taxes).

You know full well that I could donate 100% of my income, devistate my family for life, and still have a negligible impact on the country's situation. Only if sufficient others do the same would it help. That is a fool's quest to do it alone or substantially alone and you know it. Otherwise you wouldn't have suggested it.

How about I swap the tables. If you are so focussed on paying less tax, how about you pay $10k less than your legally required taxes (over time if needed). Are you willing to be arrested and fined for your beliefs? No one else has to join you. I'll put in $10k extra tax for my beliefs for every year you are in jail for your beliefs. Or are you not willing to stick up for what you want?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Bottom line, your money is not yours. It belongs to the government and if you aren't taxed on it then you are cheating.

They are the master, you are the thrall.

Government uber alles

 

[Throckmorton]

This is why "health savings accounts" are total bullshit.

 

[shira]

I'm going by what Obamacare says. It says those expenses are covered but I need a prescription. Do you know a way of getting a prescription without seeing a physician?

No. You wrote that you cannot quit smoking or buy condoms without first seeing your doctor. Of course, you're a troll, and what you MEANT was that you can't purchase condoms and anti-smoking products with pre-tax dollars under the new rules unless your doctor prescribes them.

So, tell us again: On January 1, 2011, what would prevent you from going to your local CVS and purchasing condoms and nicorette gum without first visiting your physician? Are you claiming you won't be allowed to make such purchases without a doctor's prescription? And if not, why have you not corrected this thread's title?

 

[charrison]

Given what an FSA is SUPPOSED to be for, it sort of makes sense that you would need to demonstrate some actual medical necessity for it. Or in other words, are you suggesting the FSA should be based on the honor system?

People are buying OTC drugs for the hell of it? This is just another tax to grab more money for the fed.

 

[dmcowen674]

Obama says I have to see my doctor if I want to quit smoking or buy condoms

What is the idea behind this? In order to get my allergy meds, sleep aids, cold medicine, condoms, cough drops, nicotine lozenges and a whole list of other things covered under Flex Spending, I now need an RX from my doctor. What the hell? So now I have to plan ahead to get a cold or a muscle ache?

Not only is this a huge hassle but now my doctor will be even busier. Its already usually a 3 week wait, now how long will it be with everyone needing to see him to get diaper rash cream (yes its on the list)?

Why do we need the government to tell us what we can spend our money on? This isn't insurance claim crap...its my money that I have taken out of my check.

And this is just the first stage of Obamacare. What's next?

https://www.wageworks.com/employee/health-care/expenses/fsa2011.htm

Does this make you one more step closer to leaving the country?

If so Yay for Obama, go Obama go :thumbsup:

 

[feralkid]

No. You wrote that you cannot quit smoking or buy condoms without first seeing your doctor. Of course, you're a troll, and what you MEANT was that you can't purchase condoms and anti-smoking products with pre-tax dollars under the new rules unless your doctor prescribes them.

So, tell us again: On January 1, 2011, what would prevent you from going to your local CVS and purchasing condoms and nicorette gum without first visiting your physician? Are you claiming you won't be allowed to make such purchases without a doctor's prescription? And if not, why have you not corrected this thread's title?

Second.


Title is troller express.

 

[Jhhnn]

Right wing tax weasels are always looking for an angle. When they think they've found one, but it turns out they're mistaken, they whine mightily, blame somebody, anybody, because they can't have it w/o making some effort to get it.

Hyperbole rules their minds, like the reference to paying $10K more for coverage. It's hogwash.

There's no tax break on buying the mentioned items today, is there? And "conservatives" want things to stay the way they are, right? Well, except in their mobius loop of blaming Obama for everything, and then it all changes.

The notion that savings achieved from having the mentioned items available pre-tax amounts to anything more than pocket change is laughable. Get over yourselves. Quit whining.

 

[Genx87]

You wont be able to buy many OTC drugs with your FSA starting Jan 1st. This I know first hand due to having an FSA.

 

[dullard]

You wont be able to buy many OTC drugs with your FSA starting Jan 1st. This I know first hand due to having an FSA.

That is nearly 100% correct. Why couldn't the OP put something correct like this in the title? I say "nearly", since you can still buy OTC drugs with your FSA if you happen to have a doctor's prescription. But, I doubt many people will bother to do that unless they are already at the doctor's office.

 

[her209]

This is why "health savings accounts" are total bullshit.

This is also why the fair or flat tax will never be implemented because if it ever was, you'd have the same people bitching about losing their tax deductions. Of course, when the lawmakers start adding in exceptions, then you just end up with the same situation you have now except the tax burden is shifted towards the lower income spectrum.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Wait...why are you getting reimbursed for condoms and cough medicine? You could just, ya know, buy them like you do now...

 

[hal2kilo]

Right wing tax weasels are always looking for an angle. When they think they've found one, but it turns out they're mistaken, they whine mightily, blame somebody, anybody, because they can't have it w/o making some effort to get it.

Hyperbole rules their minds, like the reference to paying $10K more for coverage. It's hogwash.

There's no tax break on buying the mentioned items today, is there? And "conservatives" want things to stay the way they are, right? Well, except in their mobius loop of blaming Obama for everything, and then it all changes.

The notion that savings achieved from having the mentioned items available pre-tax amounts to anything more than pocket change is laughable. Get over yourselves. Quit whining.

The limits $5000 anyway. Want some cheese and crackers with your whine? (Responding to OP)

 

[rudeguy]

Wait...why are you getting reimbursed for condoms and cough medicine? You could just, ya know, buy them like you do now...

right now I can use my FSA debit card. This year I spent $2400 on Flex and I came up a bit short so I opted for $3k for next year. The official list of things covered came out after enrollment ended, so I'm going to have to spend $3k no matter what.

Of course I was being a bit dramatic in my thread title but the fact remains that the healthcare bill that is supposed to make it easier for everyone to get healthcare is making it more difficult for my son and I to get said healthcare.

So because I work, pay taxes and take responsibility for my own family...I have to jump through more hoops than someone who doesn't work, pays no taxes and relies on the government to provide for their family?