Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Political discussions
Post Reply
User avatar
GannonFan
Level5
Level5
Posts: 19233
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:51 am
I am a fan of: Delaware
A.K.A.: Non-Partisan Hack

Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by GannonFan »

Wasn't aware of this - the new health law, as of Jan 2, 2011, requires OTC medicines (cold, allergy, etc) to have a prescription from a doctor in order to be eligible to be bought with money set aside in a flexible spending account (i.e. pre-tax dollars). Not a huge deal, but part of the revenue needed to justify the healthcare reform law.

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card- ... e-1271.php
Proud Member of the Blue Hen Nation
User avatar
Chizzang
Level5
Level5
Posts: 19274
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:36 am
I am a fan of: Deflate Gate
A.K.A.: The Quasar Kid
Location: Palermo Italy

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by Chizzang »

GannonFan wrote:Wasn't aware of this - the new health law, as of Jan 2, 2011, requires OTC medicines (cold, allergy, etc) to have a prescription from a doctor in order to be eligible to be bought with money set aside in a flexible spending account (i.e. pre-tax dollars). Not a huge deal, but part of the revenue needed to justify the healthcare reform law.

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card- ... e-1271.php

The beginning of the death camps... Palin was right..!!!!

RUN EVERBODY..!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Q: Name something that offends Republicans?
A: The actual teachings of Jesus
HI54UNI
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 12394
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:39 pm
I am a fan of: Firing Mark Farley
A.K.A.: Bikinis for JSO
Location: The Panther State

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by HI54UNI »

A tax increase on the middle class. Didn't Barry promise he wouldn't do that?

:x
If fascism ever comes to America, it will come in the name of liberalism. Ronald Reagan, 1975.

Progressivism is cancer

All my posts are satire
User avatar
Appaholic
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 8583
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:35 am
I am a fan of: Montana, WCU & FCS
A.K.A.: Rehab-aholic
Location: Mills River, NC

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by Appaholic »

Our HR informed uus of this development a couple of months ago. So, you either have to pay for OTC medication with after-tax dollars (windfall for govt) or get a RX after paying doctor a co-pay (windfall for insurance co). Exactly how does this federally-mandated HC benefit the average middle-income (responsible) American again?
http://www.takeahikewnc.com

“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck

Consume. Watch TV. Be Silent. Work. Die.
User avatar
ASUG8
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 17570
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:57 pm
I am a fan of: ASU
Location: SC

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by ASUG8 »

Appaholic wrote:Our HR informed uus of this development a couple of months ago. So, you either have to pay for OTC medication with after-tax dollars (windfall for govt) or get a RX after paying doctor a co-pay (windfall for insurance co). Exactly how does this federally-mandated HC benefit the average middle-income (responsible) American again?
Don't forget the added benefit of a cost increase vs. current...... :coffee:
User avatar
Col Hogan
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 12230
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:29 am
I am a fan of: William & Mary
Location: Republic of Texas

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by Col Hogan »

It was an unfair benefit that only responsible working people could use...they couldn't figure out how to give it to the core supporters so it had to be eliminated.... :coffee:
“Tolerance and Apathy are the last virtues of a dying society.” Aristotle

Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem.
bandl
Towson
Towson
Posts: 18498
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:30 pm

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by bandl »

Col Hogan wrote:It was an unfair benefit that only responsible working people could use...they couldn't figure out how to give it to the core supporters so it had to be eliminated.... :coffee:
That's why I prefer an HSA over a FSA, since the money carries over.

Not like I use it anyways though... :|
User avatar
andy7171
Firefly
Firefly
Posts: 27951
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:12 am
I am a fan of: Wiping.
A.K.A.: HE HATE ME
Location: Eastern Palouse

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by andy7171 »

bandl wrote:
Col Hogan wrote:It was an unfair benefit that only responsible working people could use...they couldn't figure out how to give it to the core supporters so it had to be eliminated.... :coffee:
That's why I prefer an HSA over a FSA, since the money carries over.

Not like I use it anyways though... :|
Buy diapers with it. :thumb:
"Elaine, you're from Baltimore, right?"
"Yes, well, Towson actually."
bandl
Towson
Towson
Posts: 18498
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:30 pm

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by bandl »

andy7171 wrote:
bandl wrote: That's why I prefer an HSA over a FSA, since the money carries over.

Not like I use it anyways though... :|
Buy diapers with it. :thumb:
Wait, what?!?! Is that an allowable item under HSA? How about FSA? I haven't used an HSA in years because i wasted so much money the last time I enrolled. I honestly have no idea.
User avatar
andy7171
Firefly
Firefly
Posts: 27951
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:12 am
I am a fan of: Wiping.
A.K.A.: HE HATE ME
Location: Eastern Palouse

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by andy7171 »

bandl wrote:
andy7171 wrote: Buy diapers with it. :thumb:
Wait, what?!?! Is that an allowable item under HSA? How about FSA? I haven't used an HSA in years because i wasted so much money the last time I enrolled. I honestly have no idea.
You have to go to an old fashioned type pharmacy with one register. Or get the cashier at the pharmacy register to ring them up in CVS or Giant. My FSA gave me a credit card to use, ring everything up together. I stopped participating 3-4 years ago. Things may have changed. But yeah it worked for me back then.
"Elaine, you're from Baltimore, right?"
"Yes, well, Towson actually."
User avatar
ASUG8
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 17570
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:57 pm
I am a fan of: ASU
Location: SC

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by ASUG8 »

andy7171 wrote:
bandl wrote: Wait, what?!?! Is that an allowable item under HSA? How about FSA? I haven't used an HSA in years because i wasted so much money the last time I enrolled. I honestly have no idea.
You have to go to an old fashioned type pharmacy with one register. Or get the cashier at the pharmacy register to ring them up in CVS or Giant. My FSA gave me a credit card to use, ring everything up together. I stopped participating 3-4 years ago. Things may have changed. But yeah it worked for me back then.
I would have guessed a guy with as many young 'uns would be a prime candidate for FSA.
bandl
Towson
Towson
Posts: 18498
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:30 pm

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by bandl »

andy7171 wrote:
bandl wrote: Wait, what?!?! Is that an allowable item under HSA? How about FSA? I haven't used an HSA in years because i wasted so much money the last time I enrolled. I honestly have no idea.
You have to go to an old fashioned type pharmacy with one register. Or get the cashier at the pharmacy register to ring them up in CVS or Giant. My FSA gave me a credit card to use, ring everything up together. I stopped participating 3-4 years ago. Things may have changed. But yeah it worked for me back then.
Little bandl is under bandlette's coverage and she has the FSA. I'll run this by her. :thumb:
User avatar
andy7171
Firefly
Firefly
Posts: 27951
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:12 am
I am a fan of: Wiping.
A.K.A.: HE HATE ME
Location: Eastern Palouse

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by andy7171 »

ASUG8 wrote:
andy7171 wrote: You have to go to an old fashioned type pharmacy with one register. Or get the cashier at the pharmacy register to ring them up in CVS or Giant. My FSA gave me a credit card to use, ring everything up together. I stopped participating 3-4 years ago. Things may have changed. But yeah it worked for me back then.
I would have guessed a guy with as many young 'uns would be a prime candidate for FSA.
Yeah I know. I no longer work at our main office and didn't renew one year, and haven't signed back up.

bandle, as long as it's not food or produce, the pharmacy cashier couldn't give to shits about what card you are using to pay for stuff.
"Elaine, you're from Baltimore, right?"
"Yes, well, Towson actually."
bandl
Towson
Towson
Posts: 18498
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:30 pm

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by bandl »

andy7171 wrote:
ASUG8 wrote:
I would have guessed a guy with as many young 'uns would be a prime candidate for FSA.
Yeah I know. I no longer work at our main office and didn't renew one year, and haven't signed back up.

bandle, as long as it's not food or produce, the pharmacy cashier couldn't give to shits about what card you are using to pay for stuff.
We get our diapers at Costco, and they don't allow you to use credit cards (only debit/bank cards). I doubt we could use an FSA card there...

The savings on formula and diapers alone have already paid for our membership there, and then some. :nod:
Plus, who doesn't need 3 gallons or salsa or maple syrup at a time?? :tothehand:
User avatar
andy7171
Firefly
Firefly
Posts: 27951
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:12 am
I am a fan of: Wiping.
A.K.A.: HE HATE ME
Location: Eastern Palouse

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by andy7171 »

The extra large cans of Beefaroni are great. Just don't feed your horse!
"Elaine, you're from Baltimore, right?"
"Yes, well, Towson actually."
bandl
Towson
Towson
Posts: 18498
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:30 pm

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by bandl »

andy7171 wrote:The extra large cans of Beefaroni are great. Just don't feed your horse!
I love the double packs of Nutella they sell. I can down a single jar of Nutella in about 2 minutes. Best shit on earth.
User avatar
griz37
Level2
Level2
Posts: 1557
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:14 pm
I am a fan of: Montana
A.K.A.: unwrittengriz

Re: Change to Flexible Spending Accounts

Post by griz37 »

My wife actually works in Flex spending for an insurance provider & even she agrees that HSAs are the way to go. Listening to her it sounds all the changes are going to be very confusing for a LOT of people, good to see some of you guys are already on top of things.
Post Reply