316-636-2010
316-609-2177FSA vs HSA: Paying for Eye Care Costs
Maintaining your eye health is important, but it’s no secret eye care can get expensive. That’s why Grene Vision Group encourages our patients to take advantage of all the healthcare benefits at their disposal. If you have an FSA or HSA, you’re in luck. Most eye care services are considered eligible expenses.
With the end of the year approaching, it’s important to understand which benefits roll over and which you need to use before they’re gone for good. The experienced eye doctors at Grene Vision Group in Wichita, KS are here to help you understand the healthcare resources at your disposal and how to use them.
6 Ways to Use Your FSA or HSA at Grene Vision Group
Grene Vision Group is dedicated to making eye care affordable for everyone. That’s why we offer a number of ways you can save on eye care services by using your FSA and HSA dollars. Here are six common eye care services and procedures you can use your healthcare benefits on. Stop by your nearest Grene Vision Group office to take advantage of your benefits before the end of the year!
1. LASIK Eye Surgery
If you’ve been thinking about getting LASIK eye surgery, now may be the perfect time to do it. LASIK is considered an HSA and FSA eligible expense. If you have benefits left over in your FSA account, you may need to use them before the end of the year or risk losing them for good. Scheduling your consultation this year is also a great way to plan for next year. Schedule your appointment now!
2. Glaucoma Treatment and Surgery
If you think you might have glaucoma, it’s important to get diagnosed as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage to your vision. Glaucoma treatments and surgery are generally considered HSA and FSA eligible, so there’s no reason not to head to your nearest Grene Vision Group today for a glaucoma screening or consultation.
3. Cataract Treatment and Surgery
If you thought cataract surgery was unaffordable, you may be in luck. Cataract treatments are a qualified medical expense for HSAs and FSAs. Clearer vision and a better quality of life are just around the corner. You don’t have to suffer from cloudy or blurred vision due to cataracts any longer. Set up a consultation with one of our cataract specialists today!
4. Diabetic Eye Exams & Eye Care
If you have diabetes, it is even more important to take care of your eyes. Left unchecked, diabetic eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy can cause permanent vision damage. You can use your HSA and FSA dollars to pay for diabetic eye care at Grene Vision Group. Keep your eyes health by scheduling a diabetic eye exam today.
5. Neuro-Ophthalmology
If you’ve recently suffered a head injury or are experiencing other neurological issues which are impairing your vision, you may need neuro-optometric rehabilitation treatments. If deemed medically necessary, neuro-ophthalmology services could be eligible for your HSA or FSA account. Call your nearest Grene Vision Group to see if you qualify.
6. Eyeglass Lenses
If you need to renew your yearly eyeglasses prescription, you can use FSA and HSA dollars to do it. Specialty lenses such as bifocal and multifocals are covered too. Get your glasses updated before FSA benefits expire at the end of the year!
Visit the highly skilled opticians of Grene Vision Group today, to get a pair of glasses that’s just your style.
What Are The Differences Between An HSA and FSA?
Both Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are popular ways to save for life’s healthcare expenses – including eyecare! While both plan types are similar, there are key differences that everyone should know about how these plans operate. Both HSAs and FSAs help fund qualified medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. This can save you hundreds of dollars each year on medical expenses you may or may not have planned for.
Depending on the type of account you have, there may be a “use it or lose it” aspect to some of your funds. This means that you have between now and December 31 to spend on qualified medical expenses. At Grene Vision Group, there are plenty of ways you can make the most from your annual contributions while keeping your eyes healthy.
What Is An FSA?
FSA stands for flexible spending account. Like the name suggests, this type of plan offers a lot of flexibility. An FSA is an employee-sponsored plan that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars for healthcare costs. An FSA is offered in conjunction with a workplace health insurance plan.
As an employee, you can choose how much you wish to contribute from your paycheck into the FSA. Some employers may choose to match or make deposits into employee FSA accounts on their behalf. For 2022, employees are allowed to contribute up to $2,850 towards an HSA. This maximum may be less depending on your employer's policies.
FSA limits are set at the employee level. The maximum does not change based on the number of dependents in your family. A married dual-income household, for example, could have two FSA accounts through separate employers.
Funds in an FSA account can, however, be used for your spouse or dependents. Employees are able to change their contribution amount only during open enrollment periods and for qualifying events.
Can You Roll Over FSA Money?
Unfortunately, the answer is usually no. Your employer is the one who sets the rules and exceptions on what you can put into an FSA, and when you can use those funds. Typically, FSA dollars are set to expire at the end of year. It is important to carefully review your FSA plan documents, as each employer is different.
Many employers do offer one of two options under their FSA plan:
Employees may be able to carry over up to $570 per year to the next
Employers may offer a grace period of up to 2.5 months to allow employees to spend the rest of their funds
Because FSAs are tied to your current employment, switching jobs will cause the funds in your account to expire too.
Understanding the rules regarding your FSA is important, as depending on what your employer has elected, you may need to use those funds before the end of the year or lose them for good. This is why FSAs are often referred to as “use it or lose it” healthcare benefits.
Schedule an appointment with Grene Vision Group today to discuss the details of your FSA and to set up a plan to make sure you get the most out of your contributions before the end of year.
What Is An HSA?
A health savings account (HSA) has some similarities to an FSA, but also some key differences. Like FSAs, HSAs set aside tax-free dollars aside for eligible healthcare expenses. To qualify for an HSA, you need to be a member of a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). While it does not matter what type of high-deductible health plan this is, you do have to meet some coverage benchmarks.
To qualify as an HDHP in 2023, a plan's minimum deductible must be $1,500 for individuals and $3,000 for families. The plan’s out of pocket maximum can't be more than $7,500 as an individual and $15,000 as a family.
HSA limits are increasing significantly from 2022, allowing families greater flexibility in the new year.
Can You Roll Over HSA Funds?
You can! Unlike an FSA, your HSA contributions are yours to keep and can be changed at any point during the year. You are also able to roll over any remaining funds in your HSA to the next year if you choose, and you don’t lose any funds if you switch jobs because the HSA is managed by you, not your employer.
So, you will not lose your HSA funds if you don't use them.
Can An FSA or HSA Be Used For Eye Care Services at Grene Vision Group?
Yes! Eye care is a qualified FSA expense. Many of our patients use FSAs if they need to undergo vision correction procedures such as cataract surgery during the plan year.
FSA funds can also be used for routine vision services such as annual exams.
What Grene Vision Group Eye Care Services are FSA Eligible?
Typically, FSAs and HSAs can pay for most prescription vision correction solutions, preventative care, and surgeries if deemed medically necessary.
To learn more, view our eye care services, then schedule an appointment with one of our highly experienced Wichita eye doctors.
Grene Vision Group Accepts FSA and HSA Benefits
Whether you need to use FSA dollars by the end of the year or have an HSA, you can get quality eyecare services and products at Grene Vision Group. While some specifications of your health plans can vary based on your employer, our team will work with you to answer any coverage questions, so you get the vision care you need.
If you're not using an FSA or HSA to pay for vision care, Grene Vision Group also answers any general insurance questions. For more specific insurance, plans, and coverage information, call your Grene Vision Group office.