IRS ruling permits reimbursement in health accounts

A new Internal Revenue Service ruling should ease the pain of some Oklahomans buying nonprescription drugs. <br><br>The I-R-S has decided that over-the-counter drugs qualify for reimbursement from flexible

Sunday, September 21st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A new Internal Revenue Service ruling should ease the pain of some Oklahomans buying nonprescription drugs.

The I-R-S has decided that over-the-counter drugs qualify for reimbursement from flexible health care spending accounts.

I-R-S officials say the decision was partly because of the increasing number of prescription drugs moving to over-the-counter status. they include allergy medication Claritin and heartburn reliever Prilosec.

The drugs generally are cheaper as a nonprescription medicine. But the consumer's out-of-pocket costs can increase because insurance no longer pays for the medication.

The decision is expected to boost use of the flexible-spending accounts, which are offered by most employers.