Key takeaways
- The CARES Act allowed for more OTC drugs and health supplies to be FSA and HSA eligible.
- Examples of medications eligible for FSA and HSA include: acetaminophen (Tylenol), Monistat, Nasacort, Dayquil, CeraVe Acne Control Gel, Polident, Prilosec OTC, and tampons.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medications you can buy without a prescription. Examples include certain allergy, pain, and cough medications.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act expanded the list of OTC drugs that you can buy using your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).
Learn more about what an HSA and FSA are and what drugs or health supplies are covered.
Yes, certain OTC medications and health supplies are covered by FSA and HSA.
Previously, OTC medications did not qualify for HSA unless you had a prescription. The Affordable Care Act had limitations on what medications were eligible. But, the CARES act expanded the list of eligible medications. Now you are able to use these accounts to purchase popular OTC medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
What is an FSA or HSA?
An FSA is an employer-sponsored account that allows you pay for certain healthcare expenses with tax-free dollars. You contribute pretax dollars to the account, up to the annual limit.
With an HSA, you contribute pretax dollars to the account during the year to pay for qualified medical expenses. An HSA is only available if you have a high-deductible healthcare plan (HDHP). An HSA is different that an FSA because you owns the account. This means you can take your HSA with you if you decide to leave your job.
Below are examples of OTC drugs and supplies that are covered by FSA and HSA. This is not a full list of medications. Before you purchase an OTC drug, it’s important to confirm it is a qualified HSA or FSA expense.
| Type of medication | Examples |
| pain relief | • acetaminophen (Tylenol) • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) • acetaminopphen/aspirin/caffiene (Excedrin) • neomyocin/polymyxin B/pramoxine (Neosporin + pain relief cream) • menthol (Icy Hot pain relief patches) • acetaminophen/caffiene/pyrilamine maeate (Midol Complete) • belladona/calcarea carbonica/chamomilla/lycopodium/pulsatilla/sulphur (Hyland’s Earache Drops) |
| urinary tract infection (UTI) relief | • phenazopyridine (Azo) • FemiClear • miconazole (Monistat) |
| allergy relief | • fexofenadine (Allegra) • diphenhydramine (Benadryl) • loraditine/pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D) • levocetirizine (Xyzal) • Simply Saline Nasal Mist • zincum aceticum/zincum gluconicum (Zicam Rapidmelts) • triamcinolone (Nasacort) |
| cold and cough | • phenol (Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray) • acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine (Dayquil, Theraflu) • dextromethorphan (Delsym) • menthol (Halls cough drops) • dextromethorphan/guaifenesin (Robitussin) |
| acne and eczema | • salicylic acid (Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, CeraVe Acne Control Gel, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, OXY Acne Care skin treatment pads) • collodial oatmeal (CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil, Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Oatmeal Bath Treatment, Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream) |
| dental treatments | • Efferdent • Polident • benzocaine (Orajel, Benzodent) |
| heartburn relief | • anhydrous citric acid/aspirin/sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer) • esomeprazole (Nexium) • omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) • bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) • calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids) • famotidine (Pepcid AC) |
| menstrual products | • tampons • menstrual cups • pads or liners |
HSA and FSA can also cover OTC drugs used for children, such as Zarbee’s Naturals Cough Syrup, Children’s Tylenol, and Mucinex Children’s Cough Mini-Melts.
The CARES act expanded the list of OTC medications eligible for HSA and FSA. With your HSA and FSA, you can save money on popular OTC items, such as pain relievers, certain acne products, and cold and cough medicines.
If you have questions about OTC products are covered by your HSA or FSA, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.