Beyond your salary or hourly wage, other employer benefits can make a job worthwhile. Many employers these days offer FSAs as part of their total compensation package.
What’s an FSA? FSAs, also known as Flexible Spending Accounts, are special pre-tax accounts that can be used to cover certain out-of-pocket health care costs not covered by insurance. Often these accounts are used to pay for things like deductibles, copays, as well as some drugs.
Many jobs these days offer FSAs as a benefit along with your health care plan, and some employers may contribute to your plan.
A key benefit of FSAs is that it withholds a portion of your taxable income, but FSAs do have a use-it-or-lose-it rule; meaning, any funds that are not spend at the end of each year go back to your employer. While some plans do allow for a small rollover or a grace period, it’s important to use as much as you can from your FSA before the deadline.
In fact, in a 2021 study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 44% of employees forfeited part or all of their FSA contributions; the average forfeiture was $339.
If you have an FSA through your employer, be sure you use all your funds before the deadline (instead of lining your employer’s pockets).
Here are 12 surprising things covered by your FSA:
Hearing Aids – Funds from your FSA can now be used to cover prescription and over the counter hearing aids. In 2022, an executive order from the Biden Administration helped make hearing aids available over the counter, and are far cheaper. It is estimated nearly 30 million Americans have some level of hearing loss; nearly 10 million of which are under the age of 60.
Pregnancy Tests and Plan B – Sexual health products have long been part of FSA-eligibility, so it makes sense that pregnancy tests are included. Since 2013, women of all ages have been able to access Plan B without a prescription.
Sunscreen – We all know we should be using SPF daily. Now you can stock up on your favorite brands using your FSA funds.
Acupressure Tools – Acupressure products (such as mats, foam rollers, massage balls, and cushions) might help with pain, stress, and even insomnia. A wide range of these products are FSA-eligible.
Massage Gun – Deep muscle therapy guns that target pain points have been all the rage for athletes and those experiencing chronic pain.
Pimple Patches – Hydrocolloid bandages and patches are now eligible as part of the acne treatment category of eligible products.
Condoms – Many sexual health products are FSA-eligible, so it’s no surprise that condoms are part of that category.
DNA Health Test Kit – That’s right…you can pick up a DNA test kit using your FSA funds, but only to get health-related insights. Unfortunately, ancestry reports aren’t covered.
Gua Sha Tools – Though not all Gua Sha tools are FSA-eligible, some online FSA stores sell specific shapes for helping with myofascial pain relief throughout the body.
Period Products – Pads, tampons, menstrual cups and even period underwear are FSA-eligible. This is a newer category to the eligibility list, thanks to the CARES Act.
Air Purifiers – With the 2023 Canadian wildfires that sent thick blankets of smoke down as far south as Virginia, as well as the last few years of COVID, many are looking to improve the air quality in their homes. Though air purifiers are not generally eligible for FSA reimbursement, you may be able to get a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor if you are using it to relieve or alleviate a medical condition.
Invisible Braces – Because braces are often a necessity in treating dental issues (such as crooked teeth, gaps, and misaligned bites), orthodontics are eligible for FSA reimbursement. Though you’ll still need an exam with photos, impressions, and x-rays, invisible braces can now be covered with FSA funds.