Travis Software Official Blog

For our TravisFlex customers that utilize the Evolution Debit Card module, this recent guidance by the IRS is important information.

The IRS recently announced that health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HSAs) may continue to utilize debit cards for the purchase of prescribed over-the-counter medications and drugs. IRS Notice 2011-5 represents a change in position, because the IRS had previously issued a notice prohibiting the use of health FSA and HRA debit cards for purchases of over-the-counter medicines or drugs. As you may be aware, effective on and after January 1, 2011, distributions from health FSAs and HRAs will be allowed to reimburse the cost of over-the-counter medicines or drugs only if they are purchased with a prescription (except for insulin). For purposes of this Notice, a “prescription” means a written or electronic order for a medicine or drug that meets the legal requirements of a prescription in the state in which the medical expense is incurred and that is issued by an individual who is legally authorized to issue a prescription in such state.

Recently, the Missouri Western District Court acknowledged an employer’s effort of “good faith” compliance, evidenced by implementing a COBRA notice tracking program, which provided an ability to show documentation and proof of the mailing of correspondence. This statement further confirms the value that TravisCobra and WebCOBRA may have in a case where penalties for non-compliance with COBRA requirements are being sought.

The “Letter Preferences App” is the newest addition to WebCOBRA. Utilizing the InstaData Web Service, this app allows users to remove unwanted letters and re-order correspondence before they print.

With the InstaData Web Service, users can easily access WebCOBRA data for any purpose they choose. The Web Service gives users access to live data, giving users a data source to write custom reports or other integration programs, with an “IT Friendly” interface.

With the Letter App, Travis has now gone beyond simply providing the real-time data to actually creating a convenient desktop tool for users. The Letter Preferences App specifically allows users to “re-download” letters from a previously accepted correspondence batch, choose which letters to print, and apply custom sorting and grouping parameters.