Using FSA & HSA for eye care costs

If you contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you may have questions, like can you use an FSA/HSA for glasses or eye care?

Can you use your FSA or HSA for eye care or eyewear?

The good news is that you can use an HSA or FSA to cover vision-related expenses. In fact, we surveyed 450 people who wear prescription glasses or contacts and found that of those who have an FSA or HSA:

70% use it to pay for prescription glasses
61% use it to pay for eye exams
36% use it to pay for prescription contact lenses
29% use it to pay for prescription sunglasses
26% use it to pay for glasses repairs
24% use it to pay for prescription eye drops
16% use it to pay for vitamins for eye health

Explore how to maximize your FSA or HSA for your vision costs and needs.

FSA & HSA basics

An HSA allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars to a dedicated account to pay for qualified medical expenses. Using untaxed money may help lower your out-of-pocket health expenses for medical, dental, and vision care. For example, let’s say you need to purchase a pair of prescription glasses that cost $200 and your income tax rate is 25%. By paying with the pre-tax dollars in your FSA/HSA, you would save $50 on those glasses. An FSA is like an HSA, but it’s started by your employer. You can contribute a portion of your pre-tax paycheck to the account. Your employer can also contribute. Surprisingly, less than half (44%) of people who wear prescription glasses or contacts have an FSA or HSA account. However, over half (57%) of those who do not have an FSA/HSA say they wish they did. Now that you know the basics of FSAs and HSAs, let’s look at some of the key differences between these two types of accounts:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Hospitalization
Doctor visits
Prescription medications
Diagnostic tests
Emergency care
Chronic conditions
Preventative screenings
Surgeries

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Eye exams
Prescription eyeglasses
Contact lenses
Lens options and specialized lenses, like Transitions® and polarized lenses
Diagnosis and management of certain eye conditions
Discounts on LASIK

Can you use your FSA or HSA for an eye exam?

Yes! You can use your FSA or HSA to cover the cost of an eye exam. Not only can you use it to cover the cost of an eye exam for yourself, but also eligible spouses and dependents (kids).

In fact, many eyecare-related expenses can be covered with funds from an FSA or HSA. The main exceptions are insurance premiums and non-prescription eyewear and contacts.

If you haven’t had your annual eye exam yet, make sure you put those FSA/HSA funds to use by scheduling an eyecare appointment. Getting regular eye exams is crucial to maintaining your eye health. Early detection of eye conditions can make for more effective solutions and help you see your best!

Can you use your HSA or FSA for glasses?

Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA for glasses, as long as they are prescription.

The types of eyewear you can likely use your FSA/HSA funds to purchase include:

Prescription glasses
Prescription sunglasses
Reading glasses
Progressive lenses
Prescription glasses with blue-light protection
Contact lenses

Usually, you cannot use FSA/HSA funds to purchase non-prescription glasses and sunglasses.

If you have extra FSA or HSA funds available at the end of the year, you may consider using them to purchase an extra pair of prescription glasses. Your insurance carrier typically covers one pair of prescription glasses per year, but if you have extra HSA or FSA funds available, you can purchase additional pairs, and maybe even try another style or color!

Other vision expenses covered by your HSA/FSA

Beyond using your FSA or HSA for glasses, your vision insurance will likely cover many of your needs related to eye health. You can use HSA or FSA for vision care expenses such as:

Eye exams and prescription glasses/contacts for eligible spouses and dependents
Treatment for eye conditions
Eye glass repair kits
Eye glass repair
Cleaning solution for contacts and glasses
Eye drops
Supplements and vitamins to support eye health
Deductibles for eye care
Prescription swim or safety goggles
Corrective surgery like LASIK
Travel expenses to treat certain eye conditions
Extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts

Depending on your plan, you may need to give your HSA/FSA provider a letter of medical necessity (LOMN) from your doctor to show the medical need for treatment. LOMNs are usually required for expenses not typically covered by vision insurance (e.g. vitamins or eye surgery).

Contact your HSA/FSA provider to find out what specific items and treatments require an LOMN so you can ask your doctor for it ahead of time.

Vision expenses that HSAs and FSAs do not cover

The IRS sets rules on what eye care expenses can and cannot be paid for with your FSA or HSA plan.

Expenses that may not be covered under your HSA or FSA include:

Cosmetic procedures

Expenses reimbursed by your insurance provider

Nonprescription contact lenses, eyeglasses, and sunglasses

Warranties for glasses

How to pay for vision expenses with an HSA or FSA

Now that you know you can use your FSA/HSA for glasses and vision care, let’s talk about how to go about paying for those expenses with your plan:

1. Confirm Coverage

Confirm vision care expenses are covered by your FSA/HSA by getting a list of what products and services you need from your doctor, then confirming with your provider what is covered.

2. Check your account balance

FSA and HSA plans work differently, so you’ll want to keep track of your funds throughout the year, bearing in mind allowance deadlines for the year.

3. Say you’d like to use your FSA/HSA

Whether you’re getting an eye exam or a new pair of glasses, let your eye doctor know you intend to pay with your FSA/HSA so they can help you to get reimbursed.

4. Use the HSA/FSA debit card:

Many FSA/HSA providers issue a debit card, which makes it easier to pay for vision expenses.

5. Get reimbursements:

If you don’t have a debit card, you’ll need to pay for expenses and get reimbursed by your HSA or FSA provider.

Don’t let your FSA/HSA funds go to waste

Now that you know you can use your FSA/HSA for glasses, eye exams, and other vision care, it’s time to put those funds to use.

Even if you’ve used your vision benefits on an eye exam, glasses, or contact lenses, you might still have money remaining in your FSA/HSA. Make sure to check on your funds throughout the year to maximize your FSA or HSA–you may be surprised to see how much is covered!

When you’re ready for your next eye exam, pair of glasses, or contact lenses, contact your friendly, neighborhood eye care specialists at Pearle Vision. We’ll take care of your entire family and ensure those FSA/HSA funds don’t go to waste.