Can You Use FSA/HSA on Reading Glasses and Readers?

Many people around the world need glasses to help them read and see clearly. However, glasses aren’t cheap, even less expensive ones like reading glasses or readers, and can be a big expense for many people. That’s why it’s important to learn if your FSA or HSA can help pay for reading glasses as a medical expense.

The HSA and FSA

HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) are accounts you can put money into to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses without the money you put in being taxed. This can help you save over time as you reduce the cost of medical supplies. However, the money can only go to specific items that have a medical purpose.

What’s Covered

Simply put, the money in an HSA or FSA can only go to items these programs deem as medical expenses. Certain items or services are preapproved for the list, so not everything you use for medical purposes will count as a medical expense on which you can use this money.

Glasses as Medical Expenses

However, when it comes to whether the HSA and FSA are useful for reading glasses or readers, the answer is generally yes. Both systems include glasses as a medical expense, so you can use them to pay for yours. The accounts may even cover glasses that aren’t strictly medical, like some women’s and men’s stylish readers you could find in a store.

Call Beforehand

Keep in mind that plans can differ, so one plan may cover only specific glasses or have other requirements. It’s always a good idea to call your plan company to get a list of what qualifies as a medical expense. Cross-check the information with the glasses you’re considering before you buy them.

As long as you have an HSA or an FSA, you can usually count on them to pay for your glasses. In most cases, you can freely use these plans to purchase any glasses with prescription strength, even if they’re both stylish and for medical purposes.