It is Holiday season again, time for family gathering and making purchases for loved ones. You have worked hard all year, why not take care of yourself? Let’s take a look at the most common pre-tax dollar accounts that you can use for your eyes.
- Flex Spending Account (FSA) – As name name states, these accounts are the most “flexible” of the pre-tax dollar accounts. Money in this account may be used towards co-pays, deductibles, eyeglasses, contact lenses, LASIK surgery, eye health supplements and other medical equipment. This account has a use it or lose it proposition. The money does not roll over from one year to the next and money that is left over will not be returned to the employee. For 2017 FSA contribution limit is $2,600.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) – Many of the things that are covered in an FSA account are covered in the HSA account. However, items such as eye vitamins will need a prescription from your doctor. HSA can be rolled over to the following year and employees are only eligible if they have a high deductible health plan. For 2017 HSA contribution limits are $3,400 for self-only coverage and $6,750 for family coverage. If you are 55 years of age and older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 to your plan.
- Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) / Medical Reimbursement Account (MRA) – typically through your medical insurance and will automatically pay for any overages that may otherwise be your responsibility such as deductibles or co-insurance amounts. Talk to your employer or HR department for more details.
Both HSA and FSA do not get taxed when you withdraw for medical expenses. The amounts can be deducted from your income to lower your taxes.
Our office also accepts CareCredit, which is a unique health care spending card. Up to 90% who apply are approved and it can be done in the office. CareCredit can be used for co-pays, deductibles, LASIK, contact lenses, eyeglasses, eye vitamins and more. With CareCredit, we offer six to twelve month repayment plans with no interest.
Call our office today to find out how you can use your HSA/FSA or CareCredit accounts toward your vision today! 925-743-1222.
