FSA/Flex medical reimbursement end of year shopping list

[dreamin_disney]

I have about $150-$185 left that I need to use up by Dec. 31

I have been having issues with my sinuses and was thinking about getting one of those face steamers for my sinuses. I have a lil cheap vick's one that you put hot water in and a vicks pad but it doesn't plug in so its basic. I've seen the ones you plug in and steam comes out of the mask.
1. Does anyone have one that they recommend?
2. Will it qualify without a doctor note?

3.Has anyone got a massager without a doctors note?
I was going to buy a microwave heating pads for dd's aching muscles. She has low vitamin D and muscles ache



I have cold medicine, bandaids, 1st aid kit, allergy meds

Looking for ideas for stuff without a doctors note things most people don't realize qualify for

has anyone got these items without a doctors note
-sea bands going on a cruise what are some good sea bands?
-motion sickness
-

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Why not just ask for a doctor's note and buy what you'll use? I got notes for OTC allergy meds, baby aspirin and probiotics. I also bought a home blood pressure device which didn't require a note.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Why not just ask for a doctor's note and buy what you'll use? I got notes for OTC allergy meds, baby aspirin and probiotics. I also bought a home blood pressure device which didn't require a note.

I do and some doctors are ok but their nurses seems to get annoyed that they have to write it out.

I was looking on the FSA store and I've been getting Doctor notes for the following items and it says its covered without doctor note. My claims were denied 1-3 times because it needed a note and other times it was approved even though my note was expired. I guess it depends who does the claim
-Dr. Scholls inserts for plantar fasciitis
-Ayr saline nasal spray
-NeilMed SInus nasal rinse

This year has been horrible. Not sure if its just a lot of new employees working for the Medical reimbursement company I submit my claims to but they have been denying a lot of stuff and I have to resubmit a 2nd time and then its approved :/ like doctor co-pay denied because the recipet doesn't say what serviced were done. I've been submitting the same type of receipt for the last 4-5 years without any issues-lol!

I do need to get a good thermometer . I'm need something for sinus pressure. I've been getting a lot on the sides of my nose. I came across those sinus mask but not sure if cold or warm is good to help with it. Anyone have any good recommendations on thermometer or sinus mask?

 

[scard192]

You can now roll up to $500 from this years Flex to next year. i have about $200 left and was going to get new prescription glasses but found out that I need a crown so am letting the leftover money (carry over) roll into 2019 and will put it towards what I have to pay OOP for the crown.

 

[siren0119]

Double check your individual plan and what they allow. My FSA does not allow me to use it for OTC anything, even with a prescription.

 

[unrequited23]

A lot of times when I get sinus issues it's from the air being too dry then my sinuses kick up the mucus production and overcompensate. I find a cool mist humidifier helpful and those things seem to need a filter at least once a month.

 

[neatokimmo]

You might be able to get ideas from this store.

https://fsastore.com/FSA-Eligibility-List.aspx

I didn’t realize sunscreen was on the list. I need to be more aware for 2019.

 

[mrudman]

I didn’t realize sunscreen was on the list. I need to be more aware for 2019.

A few years back before my work switched to an HSA, I had about $150 left to use up, and bought about a 20 year supply of sunscreen,

 

[neatokimmo]

A few years back before my work switched to an HSA, I had about $150 left to use up, and bought about a 20 year supply of sunscreen,

Lol that is funny. I didn’t know I could get a dr note for some of this stuff. I need to liquidate our smaller hsa.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Aldi's has them fairly cheap--do you have one of those?

You can now roll up to $500 from this years Flex to next year. i have about $200 left and was going to get new prescription glasses but found out that I need a crown so am letting the leftover money (carry over) roll into 2019 and will put it towards what I have to pay OOP for the crown.

I have to use mine by end of the year but I have until March to claim stuff from this year.

Double check your individual plan and what they allow. My FSA does not allow me to use it for OTC anything, even with a prescription.

I'm able to use mine for over the counter meds as long as I have a Doctor letter or note on RX pad

Lol that is funny. I didn’t know I could get a dr note for some of this stuff. I need to liquidate our smaller hsa.

Not sure how HSA works I have a Flex saving account "Fsa"

 

[scard192]

I have to use mine by end of the year but I have until March to claim stuff from this year.

interesting, our HR director mentioned on our Open Enrollment call that the IRS changed the "use it or lose it" rule a few years ago to allow the carryover to the next year. Maybe your State or Plan has something that supercedes that.

 

[elgerber]

interesting, our HR director mentioned on our Open Enrollment call that the IRS changed the "use it or lose it" rule a few years ago to allow the carryover to the next year. Maybe your State or Plan has something that supercedes that.

Ours is still use it or lose it too. HSA can roll over but not an FSA.

 

[scard192]

Ours is still use it or lose it too. HSA can roll over but not an FSA.

that's not good, I have an FSA and open enrollment ended weeks ago, need to check with HR on Monday.

 

[dreamin_disney]

interesting, our HR director mentioned on our Open Enrollment call that the IRS changed the "use it or lose it" rule a few years ago to allow the carryover to the next year. Maybe your State or Plan has something that supercedes that.

I asked last year because I read on here that some are allowed to roll their over. I was told use it or lose it buy end of the year but I had til march to still turn in my receipts. This year I got a check for $137.00 from the "use it or lose" it funds that people didn't use so they lost it and it was divided by by everyone in the program

 

[mrudman]

Lol that is funny. I didn’t know I could get a dr note for some of this stuff. I need to liquidate our smaller hsa.

When I had my FSA, we didn’t need a doctor note for any OTC stuff, so I just went online to the fsa store and ordered a ton

 

[kristenrice]

I set up my FSA for $1500 because we were on a $100/mo payment plan for DD’s braces. Then I found out that when we changed our dental plan, our orthodontia coverage increased and we only had a balance of $135 or so on our account. Yeah!....but now, it’s December and still have over $700 in our FSA. We have notes for Pronamel toothpaste so I bought 30. I’ve also bought sunscreen, Thermacare pads, and a special toothpaste (MI paste) from the orthodontist. I also have a shopping list from the doctor (my doctor’s note) which includes a humidifier, decongestants, Claritin, wart remover, anti-fungal spray/cream, multivitamins, melatonin, orthotic insoles, throat lozenges and BioFreeze. I can tell spend $700 on all of that and still have room in my house to live so I hope my FSA allows a rollover. There’s really nothing more I can do about it’s at the about it at this point.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I set up my FSA for $1500 because we were on a $100/mo payment plan for DD’s braces. Then I found out that when we changed our dental plan, our orthodontia coverage increased and we only had a balance of $135 or so on our account. Yeah!....but now, it’s December and still have over $700 in our FSA. We have notes for Pronamel toothpaste so I bought 30. I’ve also bought sunscreen, Thermacare pads, and a special toothpaste (MI paste) from the orthodontist. I also have a shopping list from the doctor (my doctor’s note) which includes a humidifier, decongestants, Claritin, wart remover, anti-fungal spray/cream, multivitamins, melatonin, orthotic insoles, throat lozenges and BioFreeze. I can tell spend $700 on all of that and still have room in my house to live so I hope my FSA allows a rollover. There’s really nothing more I can do about it’s at the about it at this point.

Mine covers without a note
-chiropractor
-ice packs,
-heat packs

with a note,
cold med,
massage therapy
acupuncture

call your fsa and see if it can be rolled over, if not you lose that money

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

A few years back before my work switched to an HSA, I had about $150 left to use up, and bought about a 20 year supply of sunscreen,

I'm not sure if you're joking but I've read sunscreen "expires" or becomes ineffective after 3 years (they usually have an expiration date). According to the FDA anyway.

 

[briand1023]

You can now roll up to $500 from this years Flex to next year. i have about $200 left and was going to get new prescription glasses but found out that I need a crown so am letting the leftover money (carry over) roll into 2019 and will put it towards what I have to pay OOP for the crown.

I think that is plan dependent, mine doesn't allow rollover.

 

[HHMcG]

Thank you for posting this, reminded me we are about $80 above our rollover limit. I looked through our plan allowances and found a few things I wouldn't need a note for that I already bought this year (first aid kit and sun screen) I have the receipt for the first aid kit (thank you Amazon). Now if I can find any receipts from the dozens of sun care products we've bought this year. I'd be much happier to get $ back for things I've already bought than have to buy new things.