Ideas to use up my healthcare FSA

[mill4023]

I just looked and we have a balance of $1300 that we need to use before the end of the year.
I'm thinking of trying to get our kids into the dentist, but not sure if they'll be able to get us in before the end of the year.
Any other ideas for less obvious things that FSA money can be spent on?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I do not have one of these accounts, so keep that in mind. Any chance you could stock up on pain relievers, cough medicine...over the counter stuff that is covered this year but won't be covered next? Of course if you could get in to the dentist that would be ideal.

 

[Samandmom]

OH wow that's alot!! We have had $400 left to spend the last couple of years. We go to Walgreens and CVS and just stock up on bandaids, tylenol, my dd allergy medicine, refill my sons asthma medicine and so on. Sorry can't really help you much. Maybe someone needs new glasses?

 

[momrek06]

I just looked and we have a balance of $1300 that we need to use before the end of the year.
I'm thinking of trying to get our kids into the dentist, but not sure if they'll be able to get us in before the end of the year.
Any other ideas for less obvious things that FSA money can be spent on?

Eyes! Yup, DH was offered a new position with a company! We had $1500.00 to use up in 30 days! So we went to WalMart and had our eyes examined and then we each got 3 pairs of glasses! Sunglasses, each got a pair of progressives and then each a pair of just regular glasses!

 

[WeDisney4]

Eye exams? We went & DD 9 & I (older than 9 ) both needed glasses. DD was not showing any symptoms except maybe an occasional headache. I had a pretty good idea I was going to need them.

 

[camlace]

Yikes! $1300 and you are just noticing now

Glasses/contacts are usually a easy item to eat up some of the money.
As you already said..dental work.
OTC meds
Check your plan, but things that are more like toiletries items that are also included in the OTC list.
~Acne Medications - pill, liquid, cream, ointment,
medicated soaps and cleansing pads
~Antacids (anti-gas, lactose intolerance)
~Bacitracin, Neosporin, Polysporin
~Diaper rash cream/ointment, rehydration liquids (Pedialyte, PediaSure),
teething gel
~Canker and Cold Sore Remedies
~Condoms, contraceptive creams, pregnancy tests, ovulation predictor kits
~Bandages, dressings, first aid kits, peroxide, rubbing alcohol


and hopefully next year you didn't put so much into your FSA

 

[stitchlovestink]

eye exams? new glasses and or contacts?
need a new room humidifier or heating pad? a blood pressure monitor?

as previous poster mentioned...I'd stock up on OTC products that will not be eligible next year without a Dr's script (what a pain in the butt that's going to be, but you'd better bet, I'll be asking for that script for the OTC's he suggests!!)

Good Luck! that's a LOT of $$ to use up so quickly....

FYI, I'd double check your plan. Our's allows us to use $ from the previous year during the first 3 months of the following year. and we have up until 6/1 to submit the claims for the previous year. just a thought....

 

[mamacatnv]

I agree - eyes, contacts, RX sunglasses etc.
Ummm anyone need orthodontics? Put up the down payments this year.
Anything elective you might want done at the dermatologists office??????

DH had to have too CT Scans - that wiped out our balance

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Kinda shoots the whole tax savings thing out the window. Wow!

 

[Nancy]

eye exams? new glasses and or contacts?
need a new room humidifier or heating pad? a blood pressure monitor?

as previous poster mentioned...I'd stock up on OTC products that will not be eligible next year without a Dr's script (what a pain in the butt that's going to be, but you'd better bet, I'll be asking for that script for the OTC's he suggests!!)

Good Luck! that's a LOT of $$ to use up so quickly....

FYI, I'd double check your plan. Our's allows us to use $ from the previous year during the first 3 months of the following year. and we have up until 6/1 to submit the claims for the previous year. just a thought....

very good suggestion..call your FSA administrator or check the website. If your employer has a grace period you can use the 2010 funds for dates of service from 01/01/2011-03/15/2011. Then also check the mailing dates..some still keep the March 30th date but some move it to later.

I usually go to either drugstore.com or walgreens.com to check on what is allowed. Type in the item you want and hit search..if it's allowed with FSA it will let you know.

 

[merekc]

I do not have a FSA so not sure if these qualify, but what about medical equipment (nebulizer, humidifiers, breastpumps), shoe inserts/orthotics, elderly people items (shower stools, walkers, etc. if there is anyone who could use it), blood pressure monitor, blood sugar tester, teeth whitening, nightguard for teeth grinding, lasik surgery, flu shots.

Can chiropracter, massage, acupuncture qualify? Could you prepay services or purchase gift cards?

Gym memberships. Personal trainer. Weight lose programs.

Sorry if these are crazy. I really have no clue what qualifies.

ETA: I just googled and it was easy to find a list of possible things, some I mentioned looks like they would qualify. You might do that and see what jumps out at you. The double-check with your plan or check it first for that matter. Hope that helps.

 

[Handbag Lady]

You should check with YOUR FSA, not just the drugstore.

Ours changed this year and now we can't buy OTC medicines any longer. Everything needs to have an Rx or it gets rejected weeks after you've made your purchase.

 

[pilikia97]

I used the last of our FSA account last year to buy us each our own fancy electric toothbrush and extra brush heads from our dentists office...

I also agree with checking out glass lenses and frames.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I just looked and we have a balance of $1300 that we need to use before the end of the year.
I'm thinking of trying to get our kids into the dentist, but not sure if they'll be able to get us in before the end of the year.
Any other ideas for less obvious things that FSA money can be spent on?

eyeglasses (Lenscrafters is always hopping on 12/30 and 12/31)
Rx sunglasses
Over the counter drugs
Claritin
contact lens solution
bandaids
Dr Scholls
Pull ups
allergy medications like Benedryl
aspirin
tylenol

 

[Nancy]

You should check with YOUR FSA, not just the drugstore.

Ours changed this year and now we can't buy OTC medicines any longer. Everything needs to have an Rx or it gets rejected weeks after you've made your purchase.

that applies to 2011 not 2010.

I work for a company that administers FSA for companies. OP if you want to know specific items PM me and I'll help you out.

ETA: this is what is used by the FSA plans..this should help you out. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/index.html

 

[monkeyboy]

BC

Hate to see any money go to waste

 

[cherylp3]

bloodwork

prescriptions
vitamins

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Snazzy eyeglass frames?

Any aches and pains warranting physical therapy? (I'm in p
PT right now)

Chiropractor visits?

One year, we anticipated leftovers and used the money to fund me getting braces again on my lower teeth that shifted when I couldn't wear my retainer while sick.

We would usually stay on top of things and make plans in October soothe money would be spent.

OTC meds is a good option. Are vitamins covered,'because you could get that as well.

 

[golfgal]

How about Lasik eye surgery?

 

[LuvOrlando]

Like others said, Prescription sunglasses for everyone in the house and prescription sports goggles or scuba goggles.

Refill all your prescriptions for the new year, if you tell your Dr why you are doing it he/she might be more accommodating.

Replace any durable medical equipment you might have, for us I would get new Nebulizers and new battery operated models... stuff like that.

Get into an Orthodontists office for the initial visit and get the paperwork in for braces ect before the new year. Again, if you tell them why they'd probably make room for you with money to burn.