ACK!!! $1,500 left in my health HSA!!!

[Samandmom]

This is on DrugStore.com's FSA list. Maybe a couple of these would work!

http://www.drugstore.com/shoprider-scootie-4-wheel-scooter-blue/qxp169513?catid=110652

You could get everyone on your list a basket and fill it with first aid goodies.

The first year we had FSA we were at CVS on New Years Eve filling our cart with a variety of covered items. (Claratin, Tylenol, band aids and so on). We had $750 to spend. The following year we had $500 to use up and they drastically changed the rules on what we could get. A large amount went towards a pair of glasses for home (I keep a pair in the car) and prescription sunglasses. So After that we had about $40 left to spend so we bought a variety of band aids to give out at xmas!!

 

[finz2left]

My husband also has MS. How about an MRI to check on disease progress? He has one of those every couple of years, and that always eats up a chunk of our FSA.

My insurance covers every penny and I get them 2xs a year. And, now the pharmaceutical company is providing me with copay assist for my outrageously expensive drugs, so I didn't use that money either.... so this should be a good thing, right. I know now not to take out so much...actually can't for next year, by law.

I might call my doc though, and see if there are other things I should be having...though the massage idea sounds awesome even if it only burns a few hundred in the next two weeks, LOL.

I hope your DH is doing well with few symptoms. I'm still relapsing-remitting and hoping to stay there for a few years!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Sometimes you can pre-pay a healthcare provider. Do you see a chiropractor? If not, try one out! You may find more health benefits than you realized was possible. Some will let you pre-pay for future services.

 

[dismichelle]

Another vote for Lasik if anyone in your family needs glasses or orthodontics. I wish I had your problem. We always use every penny and still have to pay quite a bit out of pocket.

 

[Lewisc]

OTC medicines including aspirin, cold medicine....are only covered if you have a doctors script, even though you don't need a script to purchase the drug. This change took effect a year or so ago.

Exercise equipment can be covered under certain circumstances. Check the rules and make sure your plan permits such use. If you think it applies get the necessary script from your doctor.

 

[rynosmom]

Be careful with OTC items....Our FSA stopped covering these expenses 2 years ago. I would check with who ever is the administrator of your FSA to check before you buy them.

 

[glokitty]

If you grind your teeth at night, you could protect them by getting a dental guard. The custom ones from the dentist cost a few hundred dollars.

And how about a blood pressure machine?

 

[ZuZugal]

THANK YOU ALL!!!

I don't believe we have a grace period...been getting nasty emails this week about spending it before Dec. 31.

You gave me some great ideas....I love drugstore.com ideas! I thought no OTCs were allowed.

If only I could get a sleep number bed, LOL!

Yes, be sure to check the dates. A PP said you can go into next year but I don't think you can with FSA accounts. I think you have until the end of March to send in receipts etc but services rendered and money spent must happen by Dec. 31.

you can also try fsastore.com

 

[kirstenb1]

If your child receives therapy (our dd receives o/t weekly), see if you can pre-pay his/her sessions for Jan, Feb, etc. This year, for the first time ever, insurance starting paying for our dd's therapy. Therefore, Jan/Feb/Mar are expensive months, because we're paying the cash rate before we hit our deductible.

 

[Lewisc]

$1500 is a lot of money. You're running out of time. You need to find out what is allowed under the plan. Does your plan allow you to buy excersie equipment. If so you'll need a doctors script (note). You can generally use your FSA to cover transportation expenses to your medical providers. Tolls, parking and .24 /mile if you use your own car.

 

[mrodgers]

Yes, be sure to check the dates. A PP said you can go into next year but I don't think you can with FSA accounts. I think you have until the end of March to send in receipts etc but services rendered and money spent must happen by Dec. 31.

Plan specific. I can use (and have used) FSA account up through March, not just to turn receipts in but use it if I had money still available.

 

[marius97]

If your child receives therapy (our dd receives o/t weekly), see if you can pre-pay his/her sessions for Jan, Feb, etc. This year, for the first time ever, insurance starting paying for our dd's therapy. Therefore, Jan/Feb/Mar are expensive months, because we're paying the cash rate before we hit our deductible.

REALLY??? DD has had different regular therapy sessions through the years. We've always payed the discounted rate that insurance negotiates until we hit our deductible. I'd talk to your insurance company. Usually they are not allowed to charge you higher because you are paying cash. You should still get the discount because you have insurance.

 

[Lewisc]

REALLY??? DD has had different regular therapy sessions through the years. We've always payed the discounted rate that insurance negotiates until we hit our deductible. I'd talk to your insurance company. Usually they are not allowed to charge you higher because you are paying cash. You should still get the discount because you have insurance.

Until you meet your deductible you're paying the negotiated rate. After you meet your deductible you're paying the, much lower, copay.

Some providers bill their regular rate. You'll get an EOB showing the write off leaving you the negotiated fee to pay. Other providers bill the negotiated rate so it's not clear what discount you're getting.

 

[Bearshouse]

You didn't say what sort of special needs your child has but here are some things I would get.

-Hoyer lift
-Rifton floor chair
-Stander

These would never be covered by my insurance because they are considered a luxury item......

Bearshouse

 

[joanchris]

You didn't say what sort of special needs your child has but here are some things I would get.

-Hoyer lift
-Rifton floor chair
-Stander

These would never be covered by my insurance because they are considered a luxury item......

Bearshouse

Ditto above...depending on the child's needs, if the child has mobility issues, widened doorways, roll in shower.
How about Music Therapy? Great for autism spectrum disorders, since so many music therapists work alone I imagine you could contract for a set number of visits for $1000 paid up front (so a discounted rate by paying up front). If the child has communication issues maybe they need a communication device--I don't know if it'd be covered, but many children now use iPads for communication, since there are so many great apps for communication, pecs type boards with voice output--my daughter's first real communication device (and an ipad would have been better) was $6000 (yes, 3 zeros). If a doctor wrote a script for a touchscreen communication device....Is you child in need of any educational testing that you'd rather not fight the school system over? I just forked out almost $900 for that, since it's not covered, but qualifies to be paid from our HSA.

 

[figment52]

I would buy prescription sunglasses with fancy designer frames (that's 500 bucks right there!) and some sunscreen! That is a start. Some of the really nice sunscreen can be anywhere from 10 bucks to 25 bucks.
You have until March or April to spend. If you need contact solution that is another expense that is usually 10-12 bucks a pop!

Get any checkups you need after the first of the year, etc. Refill all your prescription meds including your MS meds. You will be fine! We aren't even that sick at our house and I can blow through 1500 easy.

Becareful and check with HR - this is not true of all FSA plans. It is an option but not all companies select it.

 

[aclov]

Please check out Publication 502 on the the IRS website, I'm not able to post the direct link but you can google it. It will list out the eligible expenses. If HR is telling you to use the funds by Dec 31st than you probably don't have the add'l 3 months to incur those expenses.

 

[leelee9878]

Be sure to check with your employer/usually HR the people who handle the FSA benefits. One year I had a little over $100 in it and they were able to have it refunded to me. It can't hurt to ask.

 

[MineMail]

First, check your receipts and see if there were any expenses that should have been submitted for reimbursement.

You could have something cosmetic done, like laser skin treatment or hair removal. Or massage/physical therapy treatments for ongoing issues.

Our plan admins said that we couldn't use the card for OTC stuff this year, so check before you start buying things.