17 FSA-Eligible Expenses and Approved Items to Buy by the End of 2022 Skip to content
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Close menu Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card and banking offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies and banks from which MoneyCrashers.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they appear on category pages. MoneyCrashers.com does not include all banks, credit card companies or all available credit card offers, although best efforts are made to include a comprehensive list of offers regardless of compensation. Advertiser partners include American Express, Chase, U.S. Bank, and Barclaycard, among others. Health and Fitness 17 FSA-Eligible Expenses and Approved Items to Buy by the End of 2022
By Brian Martucci Date January 10, 2022 FEATURED PROMOTION
Typically, you must spend most of the money in your health care flexible spending account (FSA) before Dec. 31. You can only carry over a small portion of the funds — $550 of the $2,750 maximum contribution — into the next year. That’s not necessarily the case this year thanks to a federal law permitting employers to allow employees to carry over unused FSA funds from this year to the next. But employers aren’t required to make this change, and many haven’t. If most of your health care FSA balance will evaporate this New Year’s Eve, you have some shopping to do. Fortunately, many health and wellness expenses are eligible for FSA reimbursement. FSA-Eligible Expenses and Approved Items
Note that some FSA-eligible expenses are also health savings account-eligible. But health savings account balances have no expiration date and can grow tax-free indefinitely. So you should always choose your FSA over your HSA when you have the option.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations have an average return of 397%. For $79 (or just $1.52 per week), join more than 1 million members and don't miss their upcoming stock picks. 30 day money-back guarantee. Sign Up Now You shouldn’t have trouble spending down your FSA account, but you need to get moving. These are the most common FSA-eligible expenses allowed under existing law. 1 Eye Care & Eyewear
If your health insurance doesn’t include vision coverage, your FSA is likely your best option to reduce out-of-pocket eye care and eyewear expenses. So schedule an eye exam, especially if you know your prescription has changed. Then, replace your glasses, buy prescription sunglasses, or order new contacts to go into the new year with style. But that doesn’t mean you should splurge on eyewear. You can get affordable, stylish eyewear products at online retailers like GlassesUSA.com. GlassesUSA.com offers prescription eyeglasses, nonprescription lenses, sunglasses, and contact lenses for kids and adults. It also carries specialty glasses, such as multifocals, sport glasses, and clip-on and polarized sunglass lenses. Before you choose from the more than 9,000 frames in stock, use GlassesUSA.com’s frame sizing and virtual try-on tools. Or take the fun find-your-frame quiz to find the perfect match. 2 Over-the-Counter Medication
Federal COVID-relief legislation greatly expanded the list of FSA-eligible medications. This year, it feels like the entire pharmacy aisle is up for reimbursement: Nasal sprays for cold, allergy, and general congestionOver-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers like ibuprofen and acetaminophenOral allergy medicationHeartburn medicationCough and cold medication, including cough syrupFlu medicationAnti-nausea medicationLaxativesAnti-itch cream and other topical ointments 3 First-Aid Supplies
Many common over-the-counter first-aid supplies are eligible for FSA reimbursement as well. That includes: First-aid kits for your home and carFirst-aid accessories, like finger splints and slingsThermometersWound care supplies like sterile bandages, gauze, and tapeAntibiotic and antiseptic solutionMedical gloves and masks 4 Travel Products
Some common products you’re apt to pack in your travel bag are eligible for FSA reimbursement. In addition to motion sickness medication (anti-nausea pills), which are covered under over-the-counter medications, FSA-eligible travel supplies include: SunscreenSleep masksNeck pillowsWrist-support devicesMotion-sickness bandsHeating and cooling pads 5 Alternative Medicine
Some employers disallow FSA reimbursement for treatments that qualify as alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and therapeutic massage. But if yours allows it, you have even more FSA flexibility. Just check your employer’s alternative medicine rules and ensure your preferred treatment provider accepts FSA money. 6 Baby Products
If you have very young children, one of the easiest ways to burn through your FSA money is to stock up on baby products. Some of the most common baby products, like disposable diapers and baby wipes, are ineligible. But plenty of others are, including: Diaper rash ointmentNursing padsTeething medicationBreast milk storage bagsEar dropsBaby sunscreen 7 Dental Procedures
Most services and procedures that prevent or treat dental disease are eligible for FSA reimbursement. That includes all diagnostic and preventive work, including routine dental cleanings. It also covers more invasive dental work, such as: FillingsSealantsCrownsDenturesTooth extractionsGum treatments and proceduresOral surgeryGingivitis treatment 8 Skin Care
Many FSA-eligible items fall into the skin care category, which includes a slew of nonprescription skin and lip treatments: Medicated lip balmAcne washes and creamsEye creams and dry eye relief medicationsMedicated facial cleansers and padsMoisturizing lotion This category also includes many products more commonly thought of as over-the-counter medications, such as anti-itch cream, rash cream, and wart treatments. 9 Foot Care
FSA-eligible foot care products overlap somewhat with FSA-eligible skin care products, over-the-counter medications, and first-aid supplies. But they’re specifically for foot care. The list includes: Medicated foot powderTopical creams and ointments for athlete’s footEpsom salts for foot bathsOrthopedic insolesArch support bandsHeel cupsSole padsFoot sleevesToe cushions (toe straighteners)Corn and callus planes 10 Sleep Aids
FSAs don’t cover prescription sleep medication. But some over-the-counter medications that can promote sleep are eligible, including antihistamines (allergy medications) and melatonin. Your FSA plan may require a letter of medical necessity from your doctor. Some nonmedical sleep aids are eligible for FSA reimbursement as well. These include: Diffusers and vaporizersBed warmersSleep masks 11 Feminine Hygiene Products
Feminine hygiene is a broad, popular FSA reimbursement category. You can use your FSA money to buy common products like: TamponsMenstrual padsMenstrual cupsAnti-chafing medicationsAnti-itch medicationsMedicated vaginal suppositoriesMedicated pads and wipesAntifungal gelsUrinary health medicationMenstrual pain medication 12 Family-Planning Products & Services
Family planning is one of the broadest FSA reimbursement categories. To start, it covers a wide range of birth control options: CondomsSpermicidal creamsOral contraceptivesContraceptive patchesVaginal birth control ringsIntrauterine devices (IUDs) Other FSA-eligible items that fall under the family planning header include: Pregnancy testsHormone and ovulation testsFertility testsEgg donor feesFertility treatments, including in vitro fertilizationSurrogacy feesNear-term egg and embryo storage feesHormone replacement therapy Finally, many pregnancy-related products and services are FSA-eligible: Prenatal care, including checkups and ultrasoundsBaby movement monitorsMedically certified doula and midwife servicesPrenatal vitaminsBirthing and baby care classesBelly support bands and wraps 13 Medical Equipment & Accessories
Many types of durable medical equipment and accessories are eligible for FSA reimbursement. That includes equipment meant to treat or manage temporary conditions like postpartum nursing and chronic conditions like diabetes. For example, it covers: Breast pumpsBlood sugar monitors (glucose monitors)Glucose test stripsPortable oxygen and other oxygen equipment and accessoriesCPAP machinesPulse oximetersStethoscopesInhalersWheelchairsStretcher bedsWalkersCrutchesCanes 14 Preventive Care Screenings
Your FSA plan could be an asset in your fight to get affordable medical care without health insurance. Many routine health care expenses are FSA-eligible, including physical exams (checkups), prescriptions (including prescription co-pays for patients with insurance), lab tests, and blood work. 15 Smoking Cessation Products
Your FSA can’t force you to quit smoking. But it can help cover the cost of doing so when you’re ready. Smoking cessation programs and therapies are generally eligible for FSA reimbursement, as are smoking cessation products like prescription medications, nicotine patches, and nicotine gums. However, nicotine vaporizers (electronic cigarettes) aren’t. 16 Vaccinations
Vaccinations and immunizations fall under the preventive care umbrella and are generally eligible for FSA reimbursement. That includes routine childhood immunizations for illnesses like measles, mumps, pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria. It also covers recurring or periodic vaccinations like the annual flu shot and COVID-19 shot. It even covers vaccinations and prophylactics you may be encouraged or required to get before international travel. 17 Health Insurance Co-pays & Deductibles
Your FSA plan doesn’t cover your health insurance premiums. You still need to pay those out of pocket or through payroll deductions. But some health insurance expenses are FSA-eligible — specifically, co-pays and deductibles on eligible medically necessary services. Those include prescriptions, office visits, and inpatient care. If you’re planning to file an insurance claim for medical care before the end of the year, you still have time to file an FSA claim as well. Final Word
Your pretax FSA dollars cover a wide range of eligible out-of-pocket expenses, from stylish eyewear and necessary dental procedures to baby products and at-home medical equipment. But it pays to know which expenses are ineligible for FSA reimbursement. And these exceptions don’t always make sense. For example, medical co-pays and health insurance deductibles are FSA-eligible, but health insurance premiums aren’t. Likewise, many common medical expenses are ineligible for FSA plan reimbursement but are covered by health reimbursement accounts and traditional health insurance, including lower-cost options like high-deductible health plans. Still, if you get started now, you should have no trouble spending down your FSA before the deadline — even if it means stocking up for the coming year. Health and Fitness Lifestyle TwitterFacebookPinterestLinkedInEmail Brian Martucci
Brian Martucci writes about credit cards, banking, insurance, travel, and more. When he's not investigating time- and money-saving strategies for Money Crashers readers, you can find him exploring his favorite trails or sampling a new cuisine. Reach him on Twitter @Brian_Martucci. FEATURED PROMOTION
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