How to Use Your FSA & HSA for Glasses & More

FSA HSA Content Pillar Draft

As most people with medical insurance plans can agree, figuring out and navigating all the rules, regulations, and stipulations can be time consuming and occasionally confusing; this includes the rules and expense eligibility of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). While you probably know that you can use either of these to cover prescription eyewear costs, you may be fuzzy on exactly how to use them and what constitutes a covered expense.

While the information here is not medical advice (for full details on your FSA or HSA coverage, contact your healthcare provider or benefits manager at work), we at SportRx can help answer many of your frequently asked questions as well as provide some insight and advice on how to use your funds.

How Does an HSA Work?

Often offered by health insurance providers, people with high deductible insurance plans—or HDHPs—can open an HSA at most any financial institution. The IRS sets the qualifications for an HDHP, which comes with a higher deductible (the amount of out-of-pocket expenses you pay each year) in exchange for a lower monthly premium. If you’ve shopped for and compared costs for your automobile and home insurance policies, HDHPs work in a similar way, providing a lower overall price tag for higher deductibles. HSAs help mitigate the high deductibles of health insurance plans.

How much money you can contribute to an HSA annually is also defined by the IRS. You may fulfill this limit by setting up automatic payroll deductions or individual contributions. A couple of cool things about HSA contributions are that they are tax free and earn interest while hanging out in your HSA account. You can use the funds, linked to an HSA debit card or checks, for copayments at doctor and hospital visits as well as for certain vision costs. These funds can also be used for your spouse and children.

Pros of HSAs:

• Self-employed people are eligible.
• Have a higher contribution limit than FSAs.
• They roll over year to year.
• They earn tax-free interest.

Cons of HSAs:

• Only available with HDHPs.
• Can only access what you’ve contributed so far.
• Limited eligibility. If you or your spouse has a General Purpose FSA, you are both ineligible for an HSA regardless of your dependence status.

How Does an FSA Work?

If you’re insured through your job, your employer usually sets up your FSA as well as the maximum amount you can pledge, and what constitutes an eligible expense. Before using your FSA, double-check with your benefits provider to see how much you can contribute per year and what you can spend it on. FSAs come in three flavors: general purpose, limited purpose, and post-deductible. They only cover out-of-pocket medical expenses or things not normally included in an insurance plan. Again, the IRS sets the annual contribution limit, which can be met by both employer and employee contributions.

One significant difference between FSAs and HSAs is that FSAs do not roll over from year to year; they are “use it or lose it” funds, though some plans have a grace period or allow a certain amount (usually $500) to roll over into the next year.

FSAs may be used for your spouse (you must be legally married), children up to age 26, or relatives that you claim as dependents on your tax form. Dependent Care FSAs (DCFSAs) allow you to use them for children under the age of 13 or for a spouse or relative that resides in your home and is physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves.

Some FSA eligible expenses include: 

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision exams and prescription eyewear
• Some over-the-counter medications
• Acupuncture
• Arch and insole support 
• Home first aid: bandages, gauze, dressings
• Family planning items: pregnancy tests, fertility kits, contraceptives
• Immunizations
• Chiropractic care

Some DCFSA eligible expenses include: 

• Elder care/adult day care
• Before and after school programs
• Work-related babysitting and nannies
• Nursery school and preschool
• Day camps

It’s important to grasp the essence of what constitutes an eligible dependent care service. Some services appear the same, with one covered and the other not. For example, while an adult day center is an eligible expense, a nursing home is not. Similarly, a children’s day camp is eligible, but a sleepaway camp is not. A DCFSA exists to cover necessary care, rather than voluntary expenses.

Pros of FSAs:

• All employees are eligible whether they have insurance or not.
• Funds can be used on childcare expenses.
• Can access your entire annual contribution throughout the year.

Cons of FSAs:

• Withdrawals are not allowed.
• Self-employed people are ineligible.
• Lower contribution limits than HSAs.
• They are “use it or lose it” funds.

HSA vs. FSA

The most significant difference between HSAs and FSAs is that HSA funds do not expire; instead, they roll over from year to year. FSA funds, in contrast, typically expire a year after coverage begins or at the end of a calendar year.

Other differences include:

• You can open an HSA on your own, while FSAs are only available through your employer.
• You can contribute more money annually to an HSA.
• You can only adjust your FSA contribution during open enrollment or if you experience a life event, while HSAs allow contributions at any time.
• Annual FSA funds are available all at once at the start of year; HSA funds are adjusted as they are deducted or contributed.
• HSA accounts come with you when you change jobs, but you lose your FSA funds if you change jobs, unless you are qualified to continue with COBRA (more on that later).
• Generally, HSA eligibility is more limited.

Both types of accounts provide tax benefits: HSA contributions are tax deductible or taken from payroll pre-tax, and FSA contributions always happen pre-tax. Another thing they share: The eligibility requirements for medical expenses you can use the accounts for are the same.

Although uncommon, it is possible to have both an FSA and HSA at the same time. This is often achievable if an employer offers a limited-purpose or post-deductible FSA—colloquially referred to as an “HSA-compatible FSA.” These limited-purpose accounts allow you to spend on vision and dental expenses only. A post-deductible FSA will only let you use your funds once you've hit your minimum HSA deductible. The most common disqualifier for having both is if you or your spouse has a general-purpose FSA.

If you’re able to choose between the two, an FSA might be the better option if you have young children and anticipate lots of medical expenses at the beginning of the year, since the funds are available all at once.

FSA and HSA Contribution Limits

As previously mentioned, these are determined annually by the IRS, meaning they can change every year.

From 2024 to 2025, the contribution limit went up $100 for regular and Limited Purpose FSAs but remained the same for Dependent Care FSAs. The numbers break down as follows:

HSA contribution limits changed by $150 for individual accounts and $250 for family accounts between 2024 and 2025.

The qualifications for an HDHP went from a $1,600 deductible for an individual in 2024 to $1,650 in 2025 and a $3,200 deductible for a family in 2024 to $3,300 in 2025.

For up-to-date revisions, consult  https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-969 and https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969#en_US_2024_publink1000204180. These resources are a bit dense, but if you have the time and patience, they are useful.

How to Buy Prescription Eyewear With FSAs and HSAs 

Before purchasing your new prescription eyewear, it’s a good practice to know the exact amount on your card or in your FSA or HSA account. Often, HSA and FSA cards get declined due to insufficient funds. When this happens, SportRx’s system doesn’t specify the discrepancy amount; instead, it prompts you to contact your provider for the exact dollar amount. If you already know your available amount, you’ll save yourself time and hassle.

To buy prescription eyewear using your FSA or HSA account at SportRx, click the black button that reads, “proceed to checkout” on the shopping cart contents page. Enter your shipping information, email address, and preferred shipping method, then click the “continue to payment” button. On the payment page, select “FSA/HSA card” and enter your details, including card number, expiration date, and security code; just like when you use a credit card.

If your available funds are less than the order total, give us a call to split payment between your FSA/HSA funds and another card of your choice—so knowing how much money you have on your card comes in handy.

If your billing address is the same as your shipping address, you’ll notice that the section is already checked for you. If you wish to change the billing address, simply click the checkmark to reveal boxes that allow you to type in your billing information. All that’s left after that is to click on the “Place Order” button.

While checkout should be smooth sailing, declined transactions can happen from time to time. Don’t worry, FSA and HSA cards can be finicky, and we’ve seen it all. Reach out to us and we'll look into it ASAP.

Once you place your order, a real person at SportRx reviews it before approving and submitting it to the prescription lab for production. Upon completion, your prescription eyewear goes through a quality assurance inspection before arriving at your door. Every order also comes with an itemized receipt in case you need to submit that to your HSA or FSA program.

What Eyewear Is FSA and HSA Eligible?

All prescription eyewear at SportRx is FSA or HSA eligible, which means anything that can fit a prescription lens is totally covered, including prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses, and prescription goggles. From the most complex to the simplest vision needs, we love finding solutions to help you see better, adventure bigger. Whether you want new prescription sunglasses for sports or fashion, they are still an FSA and HSA eligible expense: this includes prescription transition lenses (that darken when you’re out in the sun) and polarized prescription versions.

We also offer prescription sports goggles for a wide range of activities, including snow sports, MX, MTB, soccer, swimming, and racquetball, with prescription ski goggles being, by far, our biggest request. While single shield lenses like those on snow or MX goggles are not prescription-friendly, prescription goggle inserts are. If you purchase regular goggles with a prescription insert to match, that qualifies as an eligible expense because the prescription insert “converts” the goggles into a prescription product, which means you can choose eyewear from your favorite brands including Smith, Anon, Oakley, and 100%.

Prescription inserts, a two-lens piece held by a clear flexible frame, are by far the most comfortable, efficient, and safest way to see clearly while wearing MX or snow goggles. The insert fits perfectly inside your goggle chassis where it doesn’t make contact with your face, which helps reduce fogging.

You can also use your FSA or HSA account to purchase prescription replacement lenses if you want to keep your existing frames. SportRx can fit just about any prescription frame with new prescription lenses, no matter where you purchased it originally. We’re also the only online lens replacement service that offers proprietary lens technology from favorite brands such as Oakley PRIZM, Costa 580, and Maui Jim PolarizedPlus2. We use lens tech for clear lenses, which means we can remake them identical, or close to identical, to the original lens.

If you require prescription safety glasses for your job (or hobby), SportRx has stylish, curated selections of wrap around prescription eyewear and safety-rated lenses to choose from. Keep in mind, though, that non-prescription safety-rated eyewear may not be covered and depends on your plan.

Oakley Industrial Det Cord safety glasses fulfill all ANSI safety standards. They come with grippy Unobtainium nose pads so they don’t slide down your nose and an impact resistant O Matter frame. 

If you’re in the market for a pair of wrap around safety sunglasses, check out the Wiley X Saber Advanced with a prescription insert. They feature an adjustable nose piece and temple arms for a customized, secure fit. As well as resisting scratches in extreme environments, the T-Shell coated shatterproof lenses exceed safety standards.

Use your HSA or FSA funds for readers as well, something many of us require as we get older. We have many styles and technologies available in a range of lens types and frame designs.

FSA and HSA FAQ

When are my FSA/HSA Funds available?

For most FSAs, dollars are available January 1 when coverage begins, while HSA dollars become available as they’re contributed to your fund.

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 (usually within one calendar year). HSA funds, in contrast, never expire. Some FSA funds provide a grace period through March 31 and/or allow $500 to be rolled over into the next year.

Can I use my FSA/HSA to buy glasses?

Absolutely. All Rx eyeglasses, sunglasses, goggles, and readers are eligible FSA and HSA expenses.

Can I split payment on my FSA/HSA Card?

Yes, contact us for help splitting payment.

Can I use vision insurance at SportRx?

SportRx is considered out of network and does not take vision insurance, though many policies/coverages allow for reimbursement. In most instances, your insurance company requires an itemized receipt for this process: Contact SportRx for a copy.

Some employer-provided insurance plans include a medical reimbursement plan or program that sometimes even allows you to be reimbursed for two pairs of prescription glasses or sunglasses a year. These types of reimbursement plans are normally managed through your employer or labor union’s benefit fund. Contact the benefit management office of your employer or labor union to ask whether you have one. What is reimbursable through these programs is defined by government and IRS guidelines and include things like deductibles, co-pays, and dental and vision expenses.

Are eyeglasses tax deductible?

No, not normally. Medical devices such as prescription glasses or sunglasses and treatments can be tax deductible if your out-of-pocket annual expenses are more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI)

If your AGI is $50,000, the first $3,750 of qualified expenses (7.5% of $50,000) don’t count.

If you don’t plan to spend more than 7.5% of your AGI on glasses and other medical procedures, know that prescription eyewear should be tax free.

“Tax free” refers to no added sales tax when you purchase eyeglasses or prescription sunglasses, regardless of which state you’re in. When you buy from SportRx, standard shipping is also free for U.S. orders, so you’re only paying for your eyewear.

Remember that you can use your FSA or HSA funds for all prescription eyewear. If you have a plan that operates by reimbursement for your expenses (rather than paying for them with an FSA or HSA debit card) and are having any kind of trouble, reach out to one of our customer service reps. Sometimes providers require additional information (such as a copy of your prescription) that doesn’t usually appear on our itemized receipts, so if that's the case for you, we’re happy to work with you in fulfilling your provider’s requests.

Note that individual plans differ. If you have questions regarding your remaining funds or your plan, please contact your benefits administrator. Then give us a call or connect via the live chat on our website and we’ll give you as much—or as little—help as you want in choosing your new prescription eyewear and using your FSA or HSA account to purchase it. A day with new glasses is always a good day; an FSA, HSA, or medical reimbursement program makes it even better.

On top of all that, our See Better Guarantee allows you to try your new prescription 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.