Is your pharmacy business IIAS certified?
What if my business does not use an IIAS system? What’s the deadline to become certified?
After January 1, 2009, your patients/customers will no longer be able to use the Benefits Debit Card from their FSA accounts at any location unless the merchant has an IIAS in place.
How does IIAS certification affect my business?
The responsibility for putting in an IIAS system rests with you as the merchant. If you do not have an IIAS system, your patients/customers may choose other merchants who are IIAS where they can use their FSA Debit Cards without having to substantiate purchases.
What does that mean?
FSA Debit Card transactions can be automatically substantiated (justified) without requiring patients/customers to supply additional paperwork or retain receipts for proof of purchase of eligible items.
Explain more?
Purchases made or services provided at merchants using an IIAS system substantiates your patients Benefit Debit Card transactions at the point of sale (POS) system. IIAS will deny ineligible FSA expenses, which will need to be paid using another form of payment – an inconvenience to your patients/customers.
What’s the major benefit to my business?
Convenience for your patient/customer retention – there is no more substantiation on their part for eligible claims when you as a merchant have an IIAS in place.
Who can help my business get IIAS Certified?
Emporos is adding the functionality to its MerchantSoft Point of Sale (POS) software. Once in place, we can help our customers streamline the certification process.
What else should I know?
The IRS confirmed that FSA expenses cannot be self-certified by the participant (your patient/customer). If the expense does not fit within auto-adjudication categories (co-payment, IIAS, recurring expenses from a previously approved transaction), the IRS requires patients/customers submit documentation to their plan benefit administrator to substantiate the claim. This has been a long-standing requirement of flexible spending accounts (FSA)s and continues to be reinforced time and again by the IRS.
I still have questions – whom can I call?
Our Business Development Team (BDT) is ready to help answer any questions you have about this information.
Please register your pharmacy busines below for more information:
