Oct 13, 2026 | Alternate Rx sourcing, Biosimilars, Drug costs, High-value formulary, MedBen Rx, Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, Patient assistance, Specialty Drugs, Spending
Self-funded pharmacy plans rarely have just one cost concern. High-cost brands, combination products, specialty medications, and prescriptions that could be handled over the counter can all drive spending in different ways. Solutions exist, but many PBMs rely on...
Apr 6, 2026 | Emergency Room (ER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Government, News, Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, Survey, Urgent Care
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, made expanding over-the-counter (OTC) availability of more drugs a clear priority during an April 1, 2026 press conference. “When I look at the reasons those drugs were not approved in the past, I think we can do better,” he...
Nov 10, 2020 | Announcements, Consumer-driven Health Plans, Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), MedBen.com, Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
If your plan has a January effective date and you offer a flexible spending account (FSA), it’s a good time to remind members that December 31, 2020 is the final day they can use any remaining 2020 funds. Additionally, for most plans, March 31, 2021 is the last...
Apr 7, 2020 | Announcements, Consumer-driven Health Plans, Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), News, Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, Prescription, Regulatory
The CARES Act signed into law by President Trump on March 27 permanently reinstates coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) medications as eligible for reimbursement from FSAs, HRAs and HSAs without need for a prescription. Under the reinstated coverage, account funds can...
Apr 5, 2020 | Announcements, Caroline Fraker, Compliance, Consumer-driven Health Plans, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Dependent care assistance plan (DCAP), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs), Kentucky, News, Ohio, Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, Prescription, Regulatory, Telemedicine
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a rush of new federal and state laws to address the need for testing and treatment of the coronavirus, in addition to resulting issues from work and child care changes. Many of these rules directly affect MedBen clients, so it’s...
