I recently tried to flex some "less than prescription" psoriasis items and the flex company wanted a letter of medical necessity. It was OTC things but necessary for my skin.
Just curious how many of us have flex and how many don't.
Flex would be the IRS compliant employee reimbursement program. I think it is a national program that can be selectively used by employers as a benefit.

Brad,
I don't have anything through my husbands company for OTC " flex plan " however my insurance company ( HMO ) does allow for certain otc products at a much lower cost or free. A lot of times it is a generic brand but not always. Some items require a RX.
From what our accountant has told us, employers can pay for anything not covered by insurance ( ie; co-pays ) and it is deductible through the company at year end with the IRS, as long as you have a written policy. I never checked into it to find out if it's a " flex plan ". Unfortunately his company doesn't have the funds to do this, however were lucky enough to have insurance and the co-pays aren't anything astronomical.
Karen

I don't flex... but you're right, it's great for a chronic disease and probably if you have kids (more regular dr. appts., glasses, braces, etc.).

I use it...and I am also the Plan Administrator where I work. It is a great benefit.
The IRS has recently updated the use of Flex Accounts so that the year can be extended by two months. Previously, the plan year was just a year. If you did not use the money within that year, it is forfeited. I hear there is legislation in the works to allow employees to roll over $500 or less from year-to-year, too. However, that hasn't happened yet.
The Flex Plan is a great benefit because I can use the money before it is deducted from my paycheck. Of course, it is also a tax savings. Our company uses a debit card. So, when I go for my Remicade infusion (costs about $5,000 per treatment - me about $500) I use the flex account to pay for my portion. It doesn't feel like I'm paying anything because the money is budgeted out of each paycheck and I do not wait for it to come out of my check before I spend it. With the debit card, I don't even have to pay out of my pocket and then submit anything for reimbursement. It's a great setup. I put just enough in the Flex Account to cover my max out-of-pocket for the year ($2,000 for my plan). As soon as I hit that (just about there), my plan will cover at 100%.
But, it does cover OTC items, too. Per IRS regluations, though, some OTC can require medical certification. I know that we can't purchase vaseline with the Flex Plan - which is something I have used often for my psoriasis. But, Tylenol, Sudafed, etc. can be purchased with no problem...
I think the Flex Plan is a great benefit that everyone should use if they have the opportunity. It saves you tax dolllars, and it allows you to use your annual election even if you have not had the money withheld from your check yet.
Kevin
BTW, another benefit (for employees anyway). If you use all your Flex dollars before it has been deducted from your check and leave your employment, the employer has to eat that cost.

My company has this plan but it is not called flex , it is call medical rembursment plan. For those of us who know we are going to need money routinely for medications etc. it is great. Trace

I
But, it does cover OTC items, too. Per IRS regluations, though, some OTC can require medical certification. I know that we can't purchase vaseline with the Flex Plan - which is something I have used often for my psoriasis. But, Tylenol, Sudafed, etc. can be purchased with no problem...
Nail on the head Kevin. I put in for some otc, a bottle of aspirin, mg217, albolene, and a moisturizer. They paid for the $1.29 aspirin but wanted medical certification for the others.
I don't think I'll bother the doc with that, but with a chronic condition like psoriasis, I wonder if I couldn't get a blanket letter from doc for these OTC P meds. It's not a big deal but it does add up when you use a lot of moisturizer, etc.
One other benefit of this plan is that I might buy something, lets say chiropractic services, that had I not had it I probably would just not spend the money on it. It sort of forces you to spend money on yourself or like you said you end up forfeiting it which would be a dumb move on anyones part.
thanks for the info everyone. Looks like it is a somewhat popular or common benefit to have. I'll let you know if I get the letter for the little stuff.

There are actually a few different IRS plans:
One is Health Spending Account (HSA), which can be used for self-employed people. HSA FAQ
A broader overview of health spending accounts through the IRS.