Side Effects: Obamacare Creates More Unnecessary Work for Already Swamped Doctors

Margot Crouch / March 11, 2011

One provision of Obamacare has already spawned a nightmare for doctors, pharmacists, and patients. As of January 1, Americans with health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible savings accounts (FSAs), and health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) can no longer purchase over-the-counter (OTC) drugs using these tax-exempt accounts. After only a couple of months, health care providers are already experiencing the negative consequences of the change.

This provision was included to raise tax revenue to help pay for massive new spending under Obamacare. From its conception, its major flaw is that it creates additional expenses for patients who depend on OTC drugs to manage chronic illness. To smooth out this wrinkle, the new law allowed for the continued use of the savings accounts for OTC drugs with a prescription. (more…)