If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Healthcare Spending Account (HSA), you probably already know that they are convenient and can save you money in taxes. You also likely know that they may expire and that you might forfeit any money you don’t use at the end of the year. So what is the best way to spend your hard-earned dollars before the end of the year? On eye care, of course!
Flexible Spending Accounts and Healthcare Spending Accounts are accounts in which you or your employer has set aside money to pay for certain medical expenses. Both are untaxed dollars, which means they both save you money in taxes. The main differences between the two types of accounts are that you are in control of your HSA and your contributions will likely roll over, whereas your employer is in charge of your FSA and the account is less flexible. While you cannot typically use HSA funds to pay premiums, for example, you can use them to pay your deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses to lower your overall eye care costs.
Individual plans may vary, so always check with your FSA plan for coverage details.
FSA and HSA Covers Eye Care at IEC
Based on the specific coverage offered by the plans, both FSAs and HSAs will cover the costs of eye care services, such as exams, eyeglasses, and surgery.
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses coverage typically includes prescription eyeglasses, prescription readers, and prescription sunglasses.
Contact Lenses
Use your FSA account to cover contact lenses used for medical purposes, such as for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This means your FSA will not cover contact lenses used exclusively for cosmetic purposes, such as for changing your eye color or adding to a costume. You can also include the cost of equipment and materials you’ll need to use your contacts, such as saline solution and enzyme cleaner.
Eye Surgery
FSA and HSA accounts can cover some types of eye surgery to treat defective vision, such as laser eye surgery or radial keratotomy. Cataract removal and glaucoma procedures are usually covered too.
Guide Dogs
These accounts can even cover the medical expenses and costs of buying, training, and maintaining a guide dog or other service animal to assist you if you are a visually impaired or hearing-impaired person, or if you have other physical disabilities. Generally, these accounts will cover any costs incurred in caring for your service animal so that it may perform its duties. These costs may include food, grooming, and veterinary care.
See better in the New Year with IEC! To get the most out of your healthcare dollars, use your FSA and HSA accounts before the end of the calendar year. For more information about scheduling an appointment, ordering glasses and contacts, or LASIK surgery, contact Illinois Eye Center at 309-243-2400.
