12 Items You Can Buy With Your FSA or HSA for Fall

Pretty soon, the leaves will be turning bright colors and falling off the trees. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), the dollars could also be falling out of your account at the end of the year — unless you use them up. It’s easy to forget that your FSA or HSA can cover plenty of everyday items and specialty services that will boost your well-being as the temperatures drop. 

For 2024, the IRS has increased the contribution limit for FSAs by $150. FSAs are a great way to set aside up to $3,200 tax-free through payroll deductions and/or employer contributions. A couple can jointly contribute up to $6,400. Employers can choose to offer a maximum rollover of $640 in 2024, or they can offer a grace period of 2 1/2 months. But employers can’t do both (and they don’t have to offer either option).

For HSAs, individuals with a high-deductible insurance plan can contribute $4,150 this year. For family coverage, the limit is $8,300.

If you haven’t spent any of your FSA or HSA funds yet, it’s time to get going!

Don’t forget that you can use FSA or HSA funds for yourself or your spouse, any dependents you have, and any of your children who are under 27 by the end of the tax year. For a full list of covered expenses, see IRS Publication 502. But here are some items and services that are covered by FSAs and HSAs you may want to consider purchasing as we approach fall.

Many health plans provide the bare minimum when it comes to eye care, so check your coverage and use FSA or HSA dollars to make up the difference on eye exams, glasses and contacts before the end of the year.

Having multiple pairs of glasses is never a bad idea, and don’t forget sunglasses! Eyecare supplies are covered too — so be sure to pick up contact lens solution and any eye drops you need for dry eyes, allergies or other conditions as the weather changes.

If you have extra funds, now is the time to schedule dental visits and any needed care for everyone in your family. Implants, sealants, wisdom tooth extraction, Invisalign? It’s all expensive, and it’s all covered in most cases.

Do you need special or alternative care for medical conditions? Whether it’s a chiropractor, acupuncturist, nutritionist, massage therapist or nontraditional medicine practitioners, all can be covered with FSA or HSA funds.

However, for some of these services, you may need to provide documentation that they are medically necessary.

Prescriptions are FSA and HSA eligible. Get 90-day supplies of everything you can in late summer or early fall. Put a reminder in your calendar at the end of November to check for any refills you may need so you can order them before the end of the year. That way, you’ll ensure you’re not leaving any FSA or HSA funds on the table.

With kids heading back to school in the fall, it’s a great time to check on your store of first-aid supplies and personal protective equipment, such as masks and hand sanitizer.

Replenish your first-aid kits at home and in your car. Stock up on any bandages and braces you may need for sports injuries, as well as heating and cold packs for aches and pains.

It also helps to be prepared for seasonal allergies and surges in infections of the flu and colds. And be sure to check expiration dates on old medications and replace them with new remedies.

Most first aid supplies are FSA and HSA eligible, so you can utilize those funds to purchase these fall must-haves.

Devices that are used for monitoring your health are covered by an FSA or HSA. One example is the Oura Ring, which you can get in varying colors and sizes.

Oura Rings can be purchased with your FSA or HSA funds, but note that you should also check with your provider. “If you want to reimburse your Oura Ring purchase with FSA or HSA funds, you should always check with your FSA or HSA provider to ensure your purchase meets their requirements. Sometimes, your FSA or HSA provider will require a letter of medical necessity before approving a reimbursement request,” according to Oura’s website.

Therabody has a full list of FSA- and HSA-approved products on its website. These include massagers and recovery compression boots.

FSA or HSA funds can cover tampons, menstrual pads and period underwear. You’ll want to make sure that what you’re buying could realistically be used by the end of the year. If not, the IRS could decide it’s stockpiling and therefore not a covered expense.

If your child’s doctor recommends specialized care for a physical or learning disability, you can use your FSA or HSA to pay for it. Examples include occupational therapy and reading support for dyslexia. Though note in most cases, you’ll need a letter of medical necessity.

Does someone in your family need an upgrade to their home in order to help them get around more easily? Everything from adding grab bars or ramps to grading the ground can be covered if the main purpose of the improvement is medical care.

“Home improvements, if primarily for a medical purpose, may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account,” according to Lively.

FSA or HSA funds can be used for out-of-pocket expenses related to psychotherapy, as well as interventions and ongoing medical care for addictions.

If you or someone in your household has a chronic illness, you can use FSA or HSA funds for transportation costs and fees associated with attending a medical conference. If you need to travel for medical care, you can use $50 per person per day to help with expenses.

It can be hard to navigate the rules and requirements for your FSA or HSA funds, but there are things that can help.

Apps like Silver automatically scan your receipts for eligible items and submit the claims to your provider. Major retailers like Target, Walmart, Amazon and Costco all have FSA and HSA pages on their websites with products that are FSA and HSA eligible. Or you can visit websites like FSA Store, which sells only eligible products. 

Don’t forget that the whole point of having an FSA or HSA is to save money by setting aside tax-free funds for your healthcare needs. If you find yourself with extra funds in your account at the end of the year, consider reducing your contribution for next year. Good luck, and use it up!