Use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) dollars to purchase prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, or prescription contact lenses at FramesDirect.com. Prescription eyewear is eligible for FSA and HSA, whether or not you have vision insurance. And if you use your FSA or HSA debit card, you won't have to submit a reimbursement form to your insurance provider. If you don't have an FSA or HSA debit card, getting reimbursed is easy. Below you'll find information on how to submit the reimbursement form to your provider.
FSA Facts:
HSA Facts:
FSA/HSA Facts:
Yes! In most cases, you can use FSA or HSA funds to purchase prescription glasses, contact lenses, and prescription sunglasses. Non-prescription contacts and sunglasses may be covered if they are prescribed by a doctor. See the list below to find out if your prescription eyewear is covered.
Generally, FSA & HSA allowances are available at the start of your "coverage period” and for most plans the "coverage period" is defined as one calendar year, beginning on January 1st. If you make regular contributions to an FSA/HSA from each paycheck, the balance will accrue over the year like any other type of bank account.
Typically, FSA dollars must be used in the same "coverage period" (i.e., calendar year) that the money was put aside, and for most plans, the "coverage period" is defined as one calendar year ending on December 31. But some plans offer a grace period that allows you to use up to $500 of your remaining FSA dollars until March 15 of the following year, depending on your employer. You’ll lose any unused FSA funds once your coverage period expires.
HSA dollars never expire and will remain in your account until you use them. If you do not use all of your HSA funds in a given year, the unspent money will roll over into your account for next year.
You can use FSA dollars on sunglasses, as long as they are prescription sunglasses. Some non-prescription sunglasses can be purchased with HSA or FSA dollars, but you will most likely need a prescription for the shades from your doctor.
Any prescription glasses (from everyday eyeglasses to sports goggles, scuba masks, and safety goggles) are covered as long as the glasses are made in your prescription and their purpose is to improve your vision.
Apart from ‘over-the-counter’ sunglasses, mostly any eyecare expense that benefits your vision and eye health is covered. Eye exams, contact lenses, and contact lens solutions are all reimbursable. Your FSA or HSA will also cover glasses and contact lens cases, and eyeglass repair kits. Vision surgery is reimbursable if you have proof from your doctor that the procedure is to promote or restore the correct function of the eye.
Eye and vision-related items ineligible as expenses under FSA and HSA guidelines include insurance premiums and warranties, and color contact lenses (that don't improve visual acuity.)
If your prescription sunglasses are polarized, then yes, they are FSA-eligible. If your doctor has expressly recommended that you wear polarized sunglasses, then they can be eligible for purchase with an HSA or FSA. However, if you're buying a pair of non-prescription polarized sunglasses, we always recommend checking with your FSA or HSA provider first to make sure it's an approved or reimbursable purchase before buying.
No. Non-prescription sunglasses are not FSA/HSA eligible purchases. However, in some very limited cases, your FSA/HSA may cover non-prescription sunglasses if they are expressly prescribed by your doctor. Though one may argue that sunglasses do improve your vision, you would need a note from your doctor prescribing the non-prescription sunglasses in order for them to be covered under your FSA or HSA.
You can use HSA and FSA funds to purchase prescription contact lenses. Non-prescription contacts worn for cosmetic purposes, such as changing the hue of your eyes, are not eligible for HSA or FSA purchases.
If you have an FSA or HSA debit card, you can enter that card's information at checkout, just like you would a normal credit card. If you don’t have an FSA or HSA debit card, follow these three easy steps.
Consult our guidelines for additional information on submitting your reimbursement form with some of the most popular vision insurance providers.
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