Don’t Lose Your Flexible Spending Account Dollars with These Tips from Richardson Eye Associates

RICHARDSON, Texas, Nov. 14, 2017 -- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are a common employment benefit. In fact, around 90 percent of employers now offer them. FSAs allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for things your health insurance normally won't cover. You set aside funds out of your annual salary at the beginning of the year to put in the FSA. Most employers allow you to contribute up to $5,000 each year, but you can put in less if you want to. Most employees these days receive a debit card with their FSA funds on it, but a few employers still require you to submit paperwork each time you want to spend money out of the fund.

You can use your FSA for many things. You will get a list of approved expenses when you open the account. Co-pays at approved doctors, dental care, over-the-counter drugs and personal care items, vision care, and more are common approved FSA expenses. The money you put in the account at the beginning of the year is taken out of your paycheck in installments throughout the year, until you have paid it all back by the end of the year. It is like getting a pre-tax advance on your salary for expenses you would normally pay out of pocket.

The thing about FSA funds is that people tend to forget the money is there until the end of the year. This is bad because FSA funds do not roll over from year to year. If you don't use the money you have in yours before Dec. 31 each year, you will lose it. But, you can put that money to good use.

If you don't need to go to the dentist, or have already spent some FSA funds on an annual exam and fillings, use it to get eye care. Eye care is so important, and often not covered by health insurance. Your whole family needs annual eye exams, so now is the time to get them.

Contact Richardson Eye Associates today to make an appointment for you and your spouse and children. We are your optometrist in Richardson. Your FSA funds will cover your annual exams at our Richardson eye clinic, as well as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and prescription sunglasses.

The end of the year is coming up, so make an appointment now, while we still have some available. For more information, visit richardsoneyeassociates.com or reach us at, (972) 231-3439. Our Richardson clinic is located at 660 West Campbell Road, Suite 102.