FLEXIBLE SPENDING AND HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

Are you wondering whether you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) dollars to buy prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses? Whether or not you have vision insurance, this money can, in fact, be used for prescription eyewear.

Below we will answer some of your questions regarding flex spending and health savings account.

What are some eligible expenses under FSA or HSA?

Your FSA or HSA typically covers expenses like prescription drugs, doctor visits and, yes, prescription eyewear, too! Below you’ll find a list of items at VS Eyewear that are typically covered by FSA and HSA accounts:

• Eyeglasses with or without lenses (this include over-the-counter reading glasses)
• Prescription sunglasses
• Sunglasses (when medically necessary and prescribed by a physician)

Do my FSA or HSA dollars expire?

Yes, they do. You must use your FSA dollars during the same “coverage period” (i.e. calendar year) that the money was put aside. That “coverage period” is defined as one calendar year (ending on Dec. 31st). (There are some plans that offer a grace period that will allow you to use your remaining FSA dollars until March 15 of the following year.) Once your coverage period expires, however, all unused FSA funds will be lost.

HSA dollars, on the other hand, never expire; they will remain in your account until you decide to use them. Even if you do not use all of your HSA funds in a given year, that unspent money will simply roll over into your account for the next year.

How to use your FSA or HSA dollars to purchase eyewear at VS Eyewear

There are two ways to pay:

• If you have an FSA or HSA debit card, you simply enter that card’s information at check-out, just as you would with a normal credit card.
• If you do not have an FSA or HSA debit card, you must make your purchase using another credit card and be reimbursed directly from your FSA or HSA provider. Reimbursement forms, along with itemized receipts and invoices, are usually required by FSA or HSA providers. An invoice/receipt will be emailed to you at the time of purchase, while I hard copy will come with your purchase.

Check out our variety of Prescription Safety Glasses