Over-the- counter (OTC) Legislative changes impacting reimbursement of OTC medications from personal spending accounts.

Northwest Family Physicians is aware of the changes that took effect as of January 1, 2011 regarding the need for a prescription in order to be reimbursed for OTC medications.

We are currently experiencing a high volume of requests for these prescriptions.

A copy of your OTC prescription can be requested if your provider is aware you are taking the medication and it is listed in your active medication list in your medical record. Please call the triage department to request a copy of the prescription.

If you are taking an OTC medication that your provider is not aware of, please make an appointment to see your provider to review the medications and the necessity for them.

Examples of items that we will consider writing prescriptions for are as follows:

Acid Controllers, Anti-Itch and Insect Bite, Digestive Aids, Pain Relief, Allergy and Sinus, Antiparasitic Treatment, Feminine Anti-Fungal/ Anti- Itch, Respiratory Treatments, Antibiotic Products, Baby Rash Ointments and Creams, Hemorrhoidal Medications, Sleep Aids and Sedatives, Anti-Gas and Diarrheals, Cough, Cold and Flu, Laxatives, and Stomach Remedies.