December 30, 2010, Retail Management Solutions (RMS), an Olympia, Wash. company specializing in retail pharmacy technology began a tour of the United States today, with the goal of visiting current and potential customers along the way. With customers facing a glut of communications, from direct mail, to text message, phone calls and countless emails, RMS is taking to the streets to meet the people and businesses that use their products.
Chris Gage, vice president of operations, sold her home in 2010, purchased an RV, and hit the road in an effort to open lines of communication with pharmacists. Ms. Gage will be speaking with customers at small and mid-sized pharmacies around the country in order learn how to improve RMS’s products and improve communications.
“By speaking with our customers face-to-face, we will be able to build stronger relationships so that when one of our customers has a question or concern, they feel completely comfortable picking up the phone and working with us to find a solution,” said Gage. “We have a reputation as an industry leader and it’s important that we meet those expectations and provide the best service possible.”
As one of the most highly regulated retail sectors, pharmacies are faced with rapidly changing government policies and mandates. RMS’s deep understanding of the industry means that they often provide updates to customers on compliance issues and changing technology needs. However, as pharmacists face a multitude of communications in all forms, important information sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.
“Pharmacists value personal interaction. They meet with dozens of customers a day and build meaningful relationships with the people that visit their store. We feel that those values shouldn’t be lost in an age of e-marketing, Facebook campaigns, and teleconferences,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Retail Management Solutions. “With customers around the country, we’ve realized that we weren’t making those connections as frequently as we would like and we had to do something to change that.”
Gage is starting her tour on the West Coast traveling south from Vancouver, Washington to the San Francisco Bay area and into Los Angeles in late January. RMS customers in those areas are encouraged to contact Ms. Gage with any questions or to set up a meeting.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Most Over-The-Counter medicines and drugs no longer eligible for purchase with an FSA card unless prescribed
WASHINGTON Dec 21, 2010 The Internal Revenue Service today issued new guidance allowing the continued use of health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) debit cards for the purchase of prescribed over-the-counter medicines and drugs.
The new guidance modifies previous guidance to permit taxpayers to continue using FSA and HRA debit cards to purchase over-the-counter medications for which the taxpayer has a prescription. Effective after Jan. 15, 2011, in accordance with the new guidance, this use of debit cards must comply with procedures reflecting those that pharmacies currently follow when selling prescribed medicines or drugs.
The procedures include requirements that a prescription for the medication be presented to the pharmacy or the mail-order or web-based vendor that dispenses the medication and that proper records be retained.
In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, the cost of over-the-counter medicines or drugs can be reimbursed from a health FSA or HRA if a prescription has been obtained. The requirement to obtain a prescription does not apply to insulin.
The prescription requirement applies to purchases made on or after Jan. 1, 2011, and not to purchases made in 2010 even if reimbursed after Dec. 31, 2010. Because the requirement applies only to over-the-counter medications, it does not apply to other health care expenses such as medical devices, eye glasses or contact lenses.
The new guidance, IRS Notice 2011-5, as well as answers to frequently asked questions on IRS.gov, also contain further details on health FSA and HRA debit card purchases, including purchases from health care providers other than pharmacies and mail order and web-based vendors.
For guidance on health FSA and HRA debit card purchases at “90 percent pharmacies,” see IRS Notice 2010-59. More information on health care reform provisions can be found on the Affordable Care Act page on IRS.gov.
I am also providing a link to an older post http://rms-pharmacypos.blogspot.com/2010/07/health-care-reform-and-fsa-cards.html that explains what is and isn't eligible beginning Jan 1, 2001.
Also, please note that the IRS has granted a SIGIS request to allow the industry until January 15th to be in compliance with the new rules. This gives all of us the opportunity to ensure the new eligible items list is downloaded and in place without having to have staff working overtime on the weekend to be in compliance.
As always if you are an RMS customer, your new list will be downloaded to you automatically. More information will be sent to you directly in the coming weeks.
The new guidance modifies previous guidance to permit taxpayers to continue using FSA and HRA debit cards to purchase over-the-counter medications for which the taxpayer has a prescription. Effective after Jan. 15, 2011, in accordance with the new guidance, this use of debit cards must comply with procedures reflecting those that pharmacies currently follow when selling prescribed medicines or drugs.
The procedures include requirements that a prescription for the medication be presented to the pharmacy or the mail-order or web-based vendor that dispenses the medication and that proper records be retained.
In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, the cost of over-the-counter medicines or drugs can be reimbursed from a health FSA or HRA if a prescription has been obtained. The requirement to obtain a prescription does not apply to insulin.
The prescription requirement applies to purchases made on or after Jan. 1, 2011, and not to purchases made in 2010 even if reimbursed after Dec. 31, 2010. Because the requirement applies only to over-the-counter medications, it does not apply to other health care expenses such as medical devices, eye glasses or contact lenses.
The new guidance, IRS Notice 2011-5, as well as answers to frequently asked questions on IRS.gov, also contain further details on health FSA and HRA debit card purchases, including purchases from health care providers other than pharmacies and mail order and web-based vendors.
For guidance on health FSA and HRA debit card purchases at “90 percent pharmacies,” see IRS Notice 2010-59. More information on health care reform provisions can be found on the Affordable Care Act page on IRS.gov.
I am also providing a link to an older post http://rms-pharmacypos.blogspot.com/2010/07/health-care-reform-and-fsa-cards.html that explains what is and isn't eligible beginning Jan 1, 2001.
Also, please note that the IRS has granted a SIGIS request to allow the industry until January 15th to be in compliance with the new rules. This gives all of us the opportunity to ensure the new eligible items list is downloaded and in place without having to have staff working overtime on the weekend to be in compliance.
As always if you are an RMS customer, your new list will be downloaded to you automatically. More information will be sent to you directly in the coming weeks.
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