Not sure how to use your HSA for glasses? What if you have an FSA? Fret not! Our simple, easy-to-follow guide has everything you need to know in a pinch. Find out what eyewear is FSA or HSA eligible, how to use your funds to buy glasses online, and other frequently asked questions right here!

Please note: the information in this blog is not medical advice. For details on your FSA or HSA coverage, contact your healthcare provider.

In This Post:

What is FSA and HSA?
How does an HSA work?
How does an FSA work?
HSA vs. FSA
What Eyewear is FSA or HSA Eligible?
Prescription Glasses
Prescription Sunglasses
Prescription Goggles
Prescription Goggle Inserts
Prescription Replacement Lenses
Prescription Safety Glasses
Readers
Use Your FSA & HSA for Glasses, Sunglasses & More at SportRx
FSA & HSA FAQs


What is FSA and HSA?

FSA stands for Flexible Spending account, while HSA stands for Health Savings Account. These are accounts that allow you to set aside pre-taxed dollars from your wages to cover a range of health care expenses—including prescription eyewear! So say you contributed $2,500 towards your HSA or FSA for the year. Once tax season comes, you’ll be taxed as if you earned $2,500 less, since those funds aren’t counted as taxable income.

HSAs and FSAs work like rainy day funds towards qualifying health expenses (more on that later). While they’re similar, there are also a few key differences.

How does an HSA work?

HSAs are often offered by health insurance providers, but you can also open one via a bank or other financial institution. However, only people with high deductible insurance plans (HDHPs) can do so. The 2023 HSA limit for contributions is $3,850, which will go up to $4,150 in 2024. HSAs have a few more benefits than FSAs. Aside from being tax-free, HSA funds also gain interest over time. They’re good for similar expenses as FSA funds, including copayments and certain vision costs.

How does an FSA work?

FSAs are usually set up through your employer. In 2023, the most you can contribute to your FSA fund is $3,050, which is expected to rise to $3,200 in 2024. You can use your FSA funds for things like prescription glasses, eye exams, and even prescription sunglasses. In most cases, FSA funds expire a year after coverage begins. However, your employer can give you a full breakdown of coverage, dates, and guidelines.

HSA vs. FSA

The main difference between HSA and FSA funds is that HSA dollars don’t expire. They roll over year after year, while you usually have a year to use your FSA funds before they expire. This might be at the end of the calendar year, or a year from the date your FSA coverage begins—it just depends! Certain FSAs allow you to carry over a set amount after the expiration date, otherwise any unused funds are returned to your employer. So make sure you use them while you can!

What Eyewear is FSA or HSA Eligible?

Now for the fun part! At SportRx, all prescription eyewear is FSA or HSA eligible. That means anything that can fit prescription lenses is totally covered. Check out all the ways you can use your funds below!

Prescription Glasses

Use your FSA or HSA for men’s, women’s, or kid’s glasses. They come in a range of styles from your favorite brands, including SPY, Oakley, and RAEN. You can even shop frames based on your activity! When it comes to prescription eyeglasses, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better service, quality, selection, and brands outside of SportRx. Prescription eyewear is what we do! From the most complex to the simplest vision needs, we love finding solutions to help you see better while doing the things you love.

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Prescription Sunglasses

Yes, you read that right! You can use your HSA or FSA for sunglasses with prescription lenses. It doesn’t matter if you want them for sports or fashion, prescription sunglasses are an FSA and HSA eligible expense—and SportRx has just what you’re looking for. Have trouble casting your line? We’ve got the best Rx fishing sunglasses on the market. Need a go-to pair of sunglasses for any type of lighting condition? Try prescription Transitions lenses! Or if you just want to take in the details of a shimmering sunset over the water, you’ll look and feel amazing in a pair of Rx polarized sunglasses. Put your hard-earned dollars to use on a pair of FSA or HSA eligible sunglasses—you won’t regret it.

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Prescription Goggles

You can use your FSA or HSA funds towards a pair of prescription goggles, and you can find them at SportRx! We offer prescription sport goggles for a wide range of activities, including snow sports, MX, MTB, soccer, swimming, and racquetball to name a few. However, prescription ski goggles are by far our biggest request. While single shield lenses like those on snow or MX goggles are not prescription-friendly, Rx goggle inserts are. When you purchase a regular goggle with a prescription insert to match, it qualifies as an eligible expense because the Rx insert “converts” the goggles into a prescription product. Choose from your favorite brands, including SMITH, Anon, and 100%!

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Prescription Goggle Inserts

Since you can use your HSA for glasses, you can also use your FSA and HSA funds towards a prescription goggle insert! Rx inserts are by far the most comfortable, efficient, and safest way to see clearly while wearing MX or snow goggles. An insert is a two-lens piece that’s held together by a clear, flexible frame. It fits perfectly inside your goggle chassis, which is safer and more comfortable than fitting your goggles over your glasses. Since it doesn’t make contact with your face, it also helps reduce fogging.

Goggle inserts can be made for a wide range of prescriptions, even progressives! No matter what goggle model you have, SportRx offers a range of inserts to fit virtually any size and make. If you’ve been wearing OTG goggles and are ready to make the switch, use your FSA and HSA funds for an Rx insert today!

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Prescription Replacement Lenses

Need to update your lenses but want to keep your existing frames? Use your FSA or HSA for prescription replacement lenses! Whether it’s for glasses or sunglasses, SportRx can fit just about any Rx frame with new prescription lenses, no matter where you purchased it. SportRx is the only online lens replacement service that offers proprietary lens technology from your favorite brands, including Oakley PRIZM™, Costa 580®, and Maui Jim PolarizedPlus2®. We also offer branded lens tech for clear lenses and eyeglasses! That means we can remake your lenses so they’re as close as possible—if not identical—to your original ones.

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Prescription Safety Glasses

You can also use your FSA or HSA for prescription safety glasses. Any Rx safety glasses or sunglasses that are available in prescription will be covered. SportRx has one of the most stylish, curated selections of wrap-around prescription eyewear and safety-rated lenses to choose from. However, if your job requires safety-rated eyewear but you don’t need Rx lenses, they might not be covered. This will depend on your specific plan, so it’s best to check with your provider.

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Readers

Last but not least, your FSA and HSA funds can be used towards readers. Since lots of people typically need reading glasses by a certain age, it helps that styles and technology has improved for readers in recent years! SportRx offers high-quality readers in a range of lens types and frame designs from brands like Maui Jim, CADDIS, and Costa. You can even get a pair of fishing readers with your FSA or HSA funds!

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Use Your FSA & HSA for Glasses, Sunglasses & More at SportRx

If you are looking for FSA and HSA-eligible prescription eyewear, look no further. At SportRx we have in-house friendly opticians with over 500 combined years of experience that will help you customize your favorite pair. Plus, our See Better Guarantee allows you to try your new Rx eyewear for up to 45 days. If you're not totally satisfied, simply let us know and we'll set up an exchange or refund. We also offer free shipping both ways!

Shop SportRx.com, call us, or chat live with a Sports Optician to use your FSA or HSA funds on prescription eyewear before they expire!


FSA & HSA FAQs

When are my FSA/HSA dollars available?

For most FSAs, dollars are available once coverage begins on January 1 and expire within the calendar year. Some FSAs begin coverage later in the year. On the other hand, HSA dollars are available year-round, so long as you have funds in your account.

When do my FSA/HSA dollars expire?

FSA dollars must be spent before the end of the same coverage period when the money was set aside. Most coverage periods are one full calendar year (ending on December 31). Some plans have a grace period, so you can spend your remaining FSA dollars through March 15 of the following year. Afterwards, any unused FSA dollars are lost.

Other FSAs allow $500 to roll over into the next coverage period. Ask your employer which benefits your FSA comes with.

Can I use my FSA/HSA to buy glasses?

Yes! Rx eyeglasses, sunglasses, goggles, and readers are eligible FSA expenses and HSA expenses. It's never been easier to use your savings accounts on prescription eyewear when you shop online at SportRx.

Can I split payment on my FSA/HSA card?

Yes! Please call us for help on splitting a payment.

Can I use vision insurance at SportRx?

SportRx is considered an out-of-network provider and does not directly take vision insurance as payment. However, most vision insurances offer out-of-network benefits that allow you to be reimbursed for prescription eyewear. Make sure to check with your insurance company and see what out-of-network benefits they offer. Insurance companies will require an itemized receipt to show proof that you bought prescription eyewear before you start your claim. You can contact SportRx if you need a copy of your itemized receipt.