6 Ways to Use Your FSA or HSA for Eye Care

Need to use your FSA benefits before they expire at the end of the year? eyecarecenter offers many different options for keeping your eyes healthy while keeping eye care costs low using FSA and HSA eligible solutions.

1. Prescription Safety Goggles

Prescription safety goggles are a qualified FSA and HSA expense. If you do a lot of work that requires protective eyewear, consider getting prescription goggles for a more comfortable fit. 

2. Prescription Sunglasses

You shouldn’t have to choose between protecting your eyesight from harmful UV rays and seeing clearly. Use your FSA and HSA dollars on a pair of prescription sunglasses from eyecarecenter.

3. Prescription Eyeglass Lenses

You can use your FSA and HSA benefits to update your yearly glasses prescription. Lenses are eligible for spending accounts, including specialty lenses like bifocal or multifocals!

4. Eyeglass Frames

Complete your new look with a pair of stylish frames. Browse our selection of designer frames, try it on using our Virtual Try-On feature, then stop by your nearest eyecarecenter to get them using your benefits. Browse our collection of eyeglass frames.

5. Over-the-Counter Reading Glasses

Over-the-counter reading glasses are considered an eligible FSA and HSA eye care expense. Stop into your nearest eyecarecenter today and grab a pair.

6. Contact Lenses and Cleaning Solutions

If glasses aren’t really your thing, there’s good news: contact lenses and contact cleaning solution are considered an FSA and HSA qualified healthcare expense. Stop by your nearest eyecarecenter to get fitted for a pair of contact lenses today!

What Is An FSA?

FSA stands for flexible spending account. As the name suggests, this type of plan offers a lot of flexibility. An FSA is an employer-sponsored plan that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars for healthcare costs. An FSA is offered in conjunction with a workplace health insurance plan. 

As an employee, you can choose how much you wish to contribute from your paycheck to the FSA. Some employers may choose to match or make deposits into employee FSA accounts on their behalf. For 2022, employees are allowed to his contribute up to $2,850 towards an HSA. This maximum may be less depending on your employer's policies.

FSA limits are set at the employee level. The maximum does not change based on the number of dependents in your family. A married dual-income household, for example, could have two FSA accounts through separate employers. 

Funds in an FSA account can, however, be used for your spouse or dependents. Employees are able to change their contribution amount only during open enrollment periods and for “qualifying life events.” 

Can You Roll Over FSA Money?

Typically, FSA funds are only good through the end of the year. This means that on January 1st, anything you didn’t use for healthcare expenses expires, and your account zeroes out. This is why FSA benefits are referred to as “use it or lose it.” If you have an FSA account through your employer, you may want to start planning your medical costs now for the end of the year. 

It is important to carefully review your FSA plan documents, as each employer is different. Employers do not have to offer the ability for funds to carry over from year-to-year. 

Many employers do offer one of two options under their FSA plan: 

• Employees may be able to carry over up to $570 per year to the next

• Employers may offer a grace period of up to 2.5 months to allow employees to spend the rest of their funds 

Your FSA is also tied to your current employment. This means that if you switch jobs, you lose all current contributions in your FSA. 

With the end of the year closing in, now is the perfect time to plan a visit to your local eyecarecenter to take advantage of your FSA dollars before they’re gone for good.

What Is An HSA?

A health savings account (HSA) has some similarities to an FSA, but also some key differences. Like FSAs, HSAs set aside tax-free dollars for eligible healthcare expenses. 

To qualify for an HSA, you need to be a member of a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and meet some coverage benchmarks. To qualify as an HDHP in 2023, a plan's minimum deductible must be $1,500 for individuals and $3,000 for families. The plan’s out of pocket maximum can't be more than $7,500 as an individual and $15,000 as a family. 

HSA limits are increasing significantly from 2022, allowing families greater flexibility in the new year.  

Can You Roll Over HSA Funds?

Unlike an FSA, your HSA contributions are yours to keep and can be changed at any point during the year. If you change jobs, the money in the account comes with you, since an HSA is not offered through an employer but is instead managed directly by you. You are also able to roll over any remaining funds in your HSA to the next year if you choose.

So, you will not lose your HSA funds if you don't use them.

To get the most benefit out of your HSA, be sure to include them in your healthcare financing plans for this year and beyond.

What Vision Products are FSA Eligible at eyecarecenter?

FSAs and HSAs can pay for most prescription vision correction solutions.  Unfortunately, an FSA or HSA will not help you pay for non-prescription sunglasses. Your plan may or may not cover over-the-counter blue light blocking glasses as well. 

Browse eyecarecenter’s selection of designer frames, sunglasses and Contact lenses. Schedule an appointment today!