FSA needing to be spent--help!

eblovesdc

I checked out my Flexible Spending Account today and --ahh!--there's like $350 left to spend before the end of the year! Guess I WAY over estimated what we'd be spending on out of pocket medical expenses. Anyway, does anyone have suggestions on what I can spend it on? Glasses are out of the question since we'll be getting vision coverage starting in january and I'll get 1 pair of glasses for free each year. I've heard you can spend it on over-the-counter drugs, has anyone ever done this?

TIA!

beffysky

That is exactly what we did last year. I swear we could fill a baby pool with pills with all we bought.  And HPTs were also covered under our plan.

yecal262

yep, my grandma overheard this and wanted to come. It works for vitamins, ibprofen, naproxem sodium---but does not work for joint pain reliever---- (sorry grandma) i believe you can buy tissues as well

audj

Normally I just lurk, but I totally had this problem this summer.  I have used it for all sorts of stuff: thermometers, all over-the-counter meds, heat pads.  If you have a Wal-Greens nearby, they have an FSA label on their prices to let you know what is acceptable.  Target also marks health-related expenditures. Hope this helps!

Rebekah1021

I stocked up on vitamins, tylenol, band-aids and cold medicine like it was going out of business. I also about a BBT and an ear thermometer too.

Keep your receipts though - they might get audited.

eblovesdc

Awww, I'd love to go shoppin' with your grandma yecal! Yeah I guess I need to track down that list of acceptable items to buy. HPT's are a great thought?they're crazy expensive.

eblovesdc

audj:

Normally I just lurk, but I totally had this problem this summer.  I have used it for all sorts of stuff: thermometers, all over-the-counter meds, heat pads.  If you have a Wal-Greens nearby, they have an FSA label on their prices to let you know what is acceptable.  Target also marks health-related expenditures. Hope this helps!

 

Good info about Walgreens and Target having the FSA label. Looks like I'll be going to Target this weekend and filling up a cart 'o pills lol.

MrsNole

If you wear contacts, get saline solution.

carryon

::sneaks out of lurkdom::  all good thoughts...also you may want to know the IRS added a grace period so you should have until 3/15/09 to use your 2008 FSA money.  Your carrier should have a list of eligible OTC expenses you can get.  ::retreats to safe haven of lurkdom::

4realyo

i bought a bunch of stuff from online pharmacy (where i order my online prescriptions, there was a link to OTC stuff). that way i knew it was all covered by the FSA and i just paid with it using my FSA credit card so i didnt have to get reimbursed.