Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

A Flexible Spending Account (also called an FSA) is a separate employee benefit plan that allows you to save money for qualified health care expenses. Under this program, you direct a part of your pay into a special, tax-free account that you can use throughout the year to reimburse yourself for certain eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses.

Money accumulated in your FSA must be used within a specific period. If you don't use those tax-free dollars within that period you will lose them for good. Once a new period begins only the money accumulated in that new period will be accessible for spending.

1. Know your enrollment and expiry dates.
2. Keep track of your accumulated FSA account value throughout the course of the year.
3. Use your FSA pre-tax account prudently so that you don't end up submitting expenses close to the expiry date. The paperwork may not process in time and your reimbursement may not be eligible.
4. Always ask your service provider for an invoice or receipt. You will need to submit this for reimbursement.
5. Keep in mind that cosmetic lenses (such as those that change your eye color without vision correction) are not qualified medical expenses and shall not be subject to reimbursement.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

An HSA is a savings account which allows you to pay for eligible medical expenses and save for future medical expenses using pre-tax money.

1. Doctor office co-pays, contact lenses, and eyeglasses are examples of eligible expenses.
2. Unlike an FSA, funds roll over and accumulate year to year if not spent.
3. If you don’t have an HSA and are interested in getting one, talk to your company or provider about enrollment.