2018 FSA Flex Acct/Medical reinbursement

[dreamin_disney]

What are you all using your flex acct for?

So far I have
$10 for DD's aftercare cold/cough/flu
$5 for antibiotic

This year my budget for flex is $1,400. I added $200 more for this year. I might be under cost this year

I got a letter from my doctor for gym membership to lose wright to help with my diabetic and high blood pressure. $20 a month x 12= $240

other expenses for the year will be
-meds for diabetic and high blood pressure
-probiotics (got a letter from my doctor)
-shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis (letter from doctor)
-Advil cold and sinus (letter from Doctor)
-robotussin (letter from doctor )
-glasses for me
-contacts for DD
-my cpap monthly cost and supplies
DD will use chiropractic services

I've been taking Emercen-c to avoid getting sick. I wish that could be covered but not sure what reason doctor to give to get it approved

I have 2 boxes of robotussin from last years $$ but cold /flu is hit dd and hubby and I are trying everything to avoid it. I have first aid kits, plenty of band-aids

Would like to know of some items that aren't on the basic list. I know some have used it to by weights with dr. letter etc

I wish we didn't need a letter or something from doctor to get over the counter meds.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

This is my first year doing FSA. We don’t have many medical expenses but DD got braces in July.

DDs braces are the bulk of it. Then me and DDs contacts and glasses. I did 1100 since her dad pays the other half of her braces. And most was paid last July with a big down payment and then monthly payments.

If i get it next year I’ll only do $500. For the occasional copay, contacts and glasses.

 

[Jimsig]

We max it out every year.


Check out the https://fsastore.com/ as it has a number of items that are available that you may not have even thought of. They also have a list of things that are covered and not covered and how they can be covered, such as an air conditioner can be covered it you can get a"Letter Of Medical Necessity." So when planning at you next open enrollment you can take any of those things in account and adjust accordingly.

 

[MillauFr]

I need to get my doctor to write a note that my Disney vacations are medically necessary so I can deduct those....

 

[cmarsh31]

Sigh. Braces for 2 kids. New glasses for 3 of us. Contacts for 2 of us. Maxed it out & we're already done (mine is Sept 1 - Aug 30).

 

[TwoMisfits]

Sigh. Braces for 2 kids. New glasses for 3 of us. Contacts for 2 of us. Maxed it out & we're already done (mine is Sept 1 - Aug 30).

Same here...between dental and vision and single well-child co-pays (we never go to the doctor except annual checks and never get prescripts), I use up my full maxed out fund every year without having to look for anywhere else to spend...

 

[tvguy]

What are you all using your flex acct for?

So far I have
$10 for DD's aftercare cold/cough/flu
$5 for antibiotic

This year my budget for flex is $1,400. I added $200 more for this year. I might be under cost this year

I got a letter from my doctor for gym membership to lose wright to help with my diabetic and high blood pressure. $20 a month x 12= $240

other expenses for the year will be
-meds for diabetic and high blood pressure
-probiotics (got a letter from my doctor)
-shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis (letter from doctor)
-Advil cold and sinus (letter from Doctor)
-robotussin (letter from doctor )
-glasses for me
-contacts for DD
-my cpap monthly cost and supplies
DD will use chiropractic services

I've been taking Emercen-c to avoid getting sick. I wish that could be covered but not sure what reason doctor to give to get it approved

I have 2 boxes of robotussin from last years $$ but cold /flu is hit dd and hubby and I are trying everything to avoid it. I have first aid kits, plenty of band-aids

Would like to know of some items that aren't on the basic list. I know some have used it to by weights with dr. letter etc

I wish we didn't need a letter or something from doctor to get over the counter meds.

Your plan requires letters from the Doctor? Ours is honor system, company doesn't care. And my CPA says the IRS is never going to audit you for the little bit of money they would get if they found you bought disallowed items.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

What are the letters for? We get a debit card so i just swipe it at the orthodontist, eye doctor, online for contacts, etc.

Again this is my first time having a card since our OOP medical expenses are minimal.

 

[Alexle2007]

I maxed ours out this year thinking DS would be getting braces but when we went to the ortho last week, he said DS still has at least other year before he will need them. He has 12 baby teeth to lose and his bottom jaw needs to grow and then they will correct his overbite. So I am thinking I might get the braces this year to finally get my overbite corrected since I never had them as a child. That way we are losing all of those funds. Plus DH will get new glasses and contacts.

 

[Alexle2007]

What are the letters for? We get a debit card so i just swipe it at the orthodontist, eye doctor, online for contacts, etc.

Again this is my first time having a card since our OOP medical expenses are minimal.

We have an online system that I had to submit the receipts to and then wait for the funds to be direct deposited. Ours is through a federal plan since we are SSA employees. Debit card would be so much easier!

 

[DisneyHardin]

The bulk of mine will go to allergy shots this year. I had to commit to how much I was putting in for the year back in Oct during open enrollment, but didn't go to the allergy doctor until November and found out I would need shots twice a week at $11/visit. I wish I had put in more so I could cover the shots and the regular co-pays, chiropractor visits, dentist appointments, etc.

 

[tvguy]

We have an online system that I had to submit the receipts to and then wait for the funds to be direct deposited. Ours is through a federal plan since we are SSA employees. Debit card would be so much easier!

Our is a debit card too. I thought we had a lot of out of pocket expenses by we have never come close to maxing it out.

 

[sarahothomas]

Does anyone know if an FSA will normally cover prescription sunglasses?

 

[Alexle2007]

Does anyone know if an FSA will normally cover prescription sunglasses?

It should.

 

[runwad]

Reading glasses!! I didn't know those were covered. I need to stock up and put a pair in every room of my house.

I usually only put 1k in a year but this year I upped it to $1500 since we can carry over $500 to next year if its not used. But all of our doctors and specialists copays have went up so I'm sure we'll use it. Plus I have 2 in the family that wear glasses and contacts.

 

[Jimsig]

As an FYI for those new to FSA even if you use a debit card to pay be sure to keep your receipts. Sometimes you have to submit a receipt to prove payment.

 

[MillauFr]

It should.

I agree. If they are prescription they should be covered.

 

[dreamin_disney]

We max it out every year.


Check out the https://fsastore.com/ as it has a number of items that are available that you may not have even thought of. They also have a list of things that are covered and not covered and how they can be covered, such as an air conditioner can be covered it you can get a"Letter Of Medical Necessity." So when planning at you next open enrollment you can take any of those things in account and adjust accordingly.

I keep all my expenses in an excel spread sheet. Its helps me see what I spend and figure out what I will need the following year. I did $1200 last year and I maxed out. I think I had about $230 over.

Sigh. Braces for 2 kids. New glasses for 3 of us. Contacts for 2 of us. Maxed it out & we're already done (mine is Sept 1 - Aug 30).

2 pairs of glasses and contacts for my dd is is about $300-$500 out of pocket after double coverage insurance.

Your plan requires letters from the Doctor? Ours is honor system, company doesn't care. And my CPA says the IRS is never going to audit you for the little bit of money they would get if they found you bought disallowed items.

I wish. Ours you have to submit receipt online. Sometimes even stuff with a medical necessary note get denied and I have to resubmit. I was sent a debit card but if its denied than I have to send in the receipt online. I don't want to be in line and get denied or have to resubmit it online.

What are the letters for? We get a debit card so i just swipe it at the orthodontist, eye doctor, online for contacts, etc.

Again this is my first time having a card since our OOP medical expenses are minimal.

Just to say that something that's over the counter is medically necessary like cold meds, allergy meds, massage therapy etc. Dr, office visits and copays are included with dental etc as long as its not cosmetic

We have an online system that I had to submit the receipts to and then wait for the funds to be direct deposited. Ours is through a federal plan since we are SSA employees. Debit card would be so much easier!

Same here we submit online and it get automatically deposited into my checking acct. I like it because its like extra money for me. I usually out it into vacation fund or toward dd's college

The bulk of mine will go to allergy shots this year. I had to commit to how much I was putting in for the year back in Oct during open enrollment, but didn't go to the allergy doctor until November and found out I would need shots twice a week at $11/visit. I wish I had put in more so I could cover the shots and the regular co-pays, chiropractor visits, dentist appointments, etc.

just keep a record so you will see what you need for next year

Does anyone know if an FSA will normally cover prescription sunglasses?

yes it does. What ever my insurance doesn't cover I submit to FSA

Reading glasses!! I didn't know those were covered. I need to stock up and put a pair in every room of my house.

I usually only put 1k in a year but this year I upped it to $1500 since we can carry over $500 to next year if its not used. But all of our doctors and specialists copays have went up so I'm sure we'll use it. Plus I have 2 in the family that wear glasses and contacts.

it adds up with glasses, contacts, chiropractor, massage therapist plus regular RX.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Your plan requires letters from the Doctor?

For atypical expenses like a gym membership, sure.

And my CPA says the IRS is never going to audit you for the little bit of money they would get

...until they do.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Lupus meds.

Yes, just lupus meds. And yes, we max out every year.

Chronic diseases can be expensive.