Sure, these common OTC items can be reimbursed. But it'll take some work. Just remember you need proof of a prescription for every time you want to buy some Claritin and want to claim it (but don't count on your flex debit card to pay for it, even if you do have a prescription). You'll have to purchase it up front and then submit the receipt, along with the proper documentation from your doctor. (I thought eliminating administrative waste was a goal of reform?)

In foresight, maybe my doctor and I should plan a yearly sit-down to go over everything I'll want to purchase over the next 12 months. Then again, I expect (and I don't think I'm alone) I won't want to bother with the hassle.

In all fairness, there's some rationale to the law. There's always the account holder who rushes to Costco at the end of the year to buy crates of aspirin so they can use up the rest of their FSA – which they just now realize they're about to lose. And most of that stored account money probably goes toward predictable costs anyway – things that people can plan for a year ahead. Plus, what's wrong with being just like the workers who don't have an FSA and have to buy their OTC meds the old-fashioned way, using after-tax money?

But while I see the practicality to reserve funds for expensive dental work, why not have the right to purchase an $8 bottle of cough syrup without the strings attached? Aren't we in enough of a crisis just to worry about how to pay for premiums let alone medicine? My own state of Colorado is facing a 14.4 percent increase in health insurance costs. It's the highest jump in six years.

So yes, I can probably let go of my OTC purchases in 2011. I doubt it would be so easy for others. It's hard to put a figure on just how much parents, for example, spend on cold medicine a year. And if they've been keeping track of costs like these through receipts, they know how much they won't be putting aside for their FSA next year.

Despite my gripe, I found myself persuading my sister-in-law (a soon-to-be mom) to consider setting up a tax-advantaged account for her family medical expenses. After all, I still believe in the FSA. It's worthwhile and there is so much still eligible for reimbursement – like travel, dependent care and medical costs that can add up even with co-pays. And for the record, that debit card will work next year for behind-the-counter prescriptions at your local pharmacy.

Forbes came out with a great article on FSA changes not too long ago. They've put out a partial list of 15 OTC drugs to buy now with FSA dollars, and 15 uses for FSA dollars still allowed in 2011.

In the future, if the government wants another way to pinch out more of our tax money, I'm hoping it won't be through easy loopholes like qualifying a medical expense.

To buy now:

• Acne medication
• Allergy and sinus relief
• Antacids
• Antibiotic ointments
• Cold sore remedies
• Cough, cold and flu medicines
• Eye drops
• Hemorrhoid preparations
• Insect anti-itch creams
• Laxatives
• Motion sickness remedies
• Pain relievers
• Sleep aids
• Anti-fungal spray
• Baby teething gel

Still allowed in 2011:

• Contact lenses and cleaning solutions
• Home medical equipment (asthma inhaler, crutches, ace bandages)
• Orthodontia
• Chiropractic services
• Co-insurance, co-pays and deductibles
• Dental work
• Lasik surgery
• Prescription glasses, sunglasses and reading glasses
• Hearing aids and batteries
• Infertility treatments/pregnancy test kits/contraceptives
• Insulin and diabetic supplies/blood sugar test kits
• First aid supplies
• Acupuncture
• Home renovation required by medical condition
• Special education required by medical diagnosis