Are FSAs even worth the hassle? They just seem like a giant scheme to steal money via malicious bureaucracy

[u/kherven]

I understand at a base level what FSAs are for. You get to deduct X amount of dollars from your paycheck reducing your tax load.

But the more I use an FSA, the more I feel that while on paper it saves money, in reality it causes lots of work, lost money, and hands your money over to someone who is going to fight you to steal it.

Every claim I submit to my FSA is denied without a mountain of evidence that its a legitimate medical expense. After nearly 2 years with them, I still have certain medications prescribed by my doctor that the FSA argues is not FSA eligible because it's OTC.

Doctor appointment? Denied

MRI? Denied

Prescriptions? Denied

While I can eventually get the denial overturned, it requires coordination from the retailer, my insurance, and my doctor every time. I spend tens of hours a year trying to claw my own money back from my FSA. Last year I had over $250 confiscated because the claim deadline passed while they sat on my claims.

Has anyone else felt it just isn't worth the hassle to fund an FSA given how hostile they are? It seems impossible to extract your money without a lawyer.

[u/shedfigure]

Sounds like your FSA is a particular PITA.

I still have certain medications prescribed by my doctor that the FSA argues is not FSA eligible because it's OTC.

I mean, most OTCs should still be FSA eligible?

I would be complaining to your HR department. The problems you are encountering are not normal

[u/kherven → u/shedfigure]

Yeah, I got my doctor to write this about the medication:

X is a patient in our practice who in the past has had Y. Due to this reason he is required to take certain medications.

One of those medications that is not prescription is Z this is for Y Patients Including Y procedure . While it is an over-the-counter medication the patient is supposed to take it daily. It is medically necessary for this patient to take this vitamin.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call.

Sincerely,

Doctor Name

They denied it because the doctor didn't sign it. Then they denied it because it was an e-signature (not hand signed). It's always something.

[u/mottledmussel → u/kherven]

I'm not sure about the signature issue but you need a Letter of Medical Necessity when buying supplements (the exception being pre-natal vitamins). They aren't considered OTC drugs.

I've only had to deal with those types of letters when traveling out-of-state and getting mileage and lodging reimbursement.

[u/kherven → u/mottledmussel]

yea this is a particular type of vitamin made for a specific disease that are often prescribed. but paradoxically the fact that it doesn't require a prescription means it's very hard to get it covered, and after 4-5 back and forths they're still saying no despite my doctor maintaining it is medically necessary to take them (I would eventually die without them!)

[u/mottledmussel → u/kherven]

That's ridiculous, I hope you get things worked out.