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Eye Care Expenses You Can Use Your FSA Funds For Before the Year’s End

PUBLISHED ON: December 16, 2021 by
LAST MODIFIED ON: July 21, 2022
POSTED IN: General Eye Care, Cataracts, Contact Lenses, Eye Exam, Eye Glasses, Laser Eye Surgery, LASIK

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Eye Care Expenses You Can Use Your FSA Funds For Before the Year’s End

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds expire at the end of every calendar year. Because the funds don’t roll over into the next year, you’ll lose whatever money was left in the account if you don’t use it.

So if you have funds remaining in your FSA account, eye care expenses are a great way to use those benefits before they expire at the end of 2021! 

What is an FSA Account?

An FSA is a special account that allows you to save money (up to $2,650 per year) to pay for a variety of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, including vision care. The money is deposited out of each paycheck; however, the entire amount in the FSA is available for use at any time. The contributions made to your FSA are exempt from federal income tax, federal unemployment tax, and Social Security and Medicare taxes.

FSA-Covered Eye Care Expenses

There are a great many ways you can use your FSA for vision care expenses. Your eligible options include:

  • Eye exams. An eye exam is the best way to spot vision problems in their earliest and most treatable stages.
  • Prescription eyeglasses. FSA dollars can be used for any type of prescription lens. This includes bifocal and progressive lenses. Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings are covered as well.
  • Contact lenses. Contact lenses are FSA eligible. This includes short-term disposable lenses and extended wear lenses.
  • Eye Surgery. Depending on the details of your FSA, you may be able to use account funds for LASIK, radial keratotomy, cataract surgery, and certain oculoplastic procedures. Be sure to check with your HR department before you undergo any procedure to ensure it’s covered by your FSA.
  • Prescription sunglasses. FSA funds only cover prescription sunglasses; the money can be used for polarized, mirrored, or photochromic sunglass lenses, as well as specialty prescription sunglass lenses.
  • Prescription specialty lenses. You can use FSA funds for prescription safety and sports glasses and goggles.
  • Reading glasses. Your FSA money can be used to purchase both prescription and non-prescription reading glasses. 

If you plan to use your funds for eye care, check to make sure it’s an allowable expense. Most non-prescription eyewear is excluded, including non-prescription sunglasses and tinted non-prescription contact lenses. In addition, certain brands or styles of eyewear may not be purchased using FSA funds.

Berkeley Eye Center Can Help with All Your Houston Eye Care Needs

If it’s been a while since you’ve had a comprehensive eye examination, schedule an appointment with Berkeley Eye Center today. We accept most forms of vision insurance and can help you determine what eyewear products and procedures are covered by your FSA.

Berkeley Eye Center has been protecting the vision of Houston patients for over 60 years. Contact us online or call us at (713) 526-1600 to schedule your appointment. We have eye clinics all over the Houston area, so there’s sure to be a Berkeley Eye Center near you.