Angie Landry's PPCD class at Watauga Elementary reminds us to "Use a Tissue, Please!"

In celebration of National Dyslexia Awareness Month, Birdville ISD is promoting awareness of dyslexia and related language-based learning disorders by offering a free, community awareness event.

The IRS recently released Notice 2010-59 (the Notice) which clarifies new rules regarding the reimbursement of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and drugs that were introduced in Section 9003 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). The IRS also issued an FAQ, which you can find at www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=227308,00.html.
Section 9003 of PPACA indicates that expenses incurred on or after January 1, 2011 for medicines and drugs may be paid or reimbursed by an employer-sponsored accident and health plan, including health flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA), only if the medicine or drug is prescribed by a physician (determined without regard to whether such drug is available without a prescription), or is insulin. NOTE:These same rules apply to health savings accounts and Archer medical savings accounts, even though they are not employer-sponsored accident and health plans.

The Notice clarifies that for the purpose of OTC expenses, a prescription means "a written or electronic order for a medicine or drug that meets the legal requirements of a prescription in the state in which the medical expense is incurred and that is issued by an individual who is legally authorized to issue a prescription in that state."

These rules do not apply to OTC items that are not medicines or drugs, including but not limited to equipment (such as crutches), supplies (such as bandages), and diagnostic devices (such as blood sugar test kits). Such items may qualify for reimbursement under a health FSA or HRA if they otherwise meet the definition of medical care in Code Section 213(d).