What is a Flex Spending Account?

A Flexible Spending Account, also known as a flexible spending arrangement, is a tax-free way to pay for medical and health related expenses not covered by your health or vision insurance. FSAs allow you to set aside a portion of earnings to pay for qualified expenses. These accounts are great for lowering your taxable income and in turn saving you money, but if you don’t use your FSA dollars by the deadline you will lose them for good. Some employers do have a grace period, but it is best not to wait. As the year comes to an end, time is running out to use your FSA dollars before they expire, so don’t forget to use some of that flex money to care for your eyes. We have very few openings left for this year, so make an appointment now with one of our amazing eye doctors to put your FSA dollars to work.

Frames and Lenses – You need your glasses to see, but they can also be fashion accessories, or a type of jewelry for your eyes. If you already have a “safe” pair for everyday use, now may be a good time to pick a more daring pair of designer frames to add to your collection, or a back up pair to use in case of miss-placement or damage.

Prescription and Non-Prescription Sunglasses – Protect your eyes against harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses year round. Some people don’t know that even non-prescription sunglasses qualify for flex spending, so now is the time to get those designer sunglasses you have been eyeing.

A Year’s Supply of Contact Lenses – Whether you wear daily or extended-wear disposable contact lenses, they typically have a shelf life of up to four years as long as they are stored properly. So it is a great idea to use your FSA to buy a year’s supply of contacts, which enables you to save even more with manufacture rebates and/or bulk discounts.  If you’re concerned about your prescription changing during the year, don’t be – we will let you return your unused/unopened contact lenses for a new prescription, if it changes.

Contact Lens Solutions and Eye Drops – Although we don’t think about it as a big expense the small things can add up over the course of a year. If you have a few dollars left in your FSA, why not stock up on products like solution, enzyme cleaners and dry eye drops? Your eyes will thank you for it later.

Children’s Eyewear – If your child wears prescription eyewear getting them another pair could help avoid an unexpected expense or trip to the doctor in the event they lose or break their current pair. And even if your child doesn’t need glasses to see it is extremely important to protect children’s eyes with sunglasses. We have a great selection of eyewear for children, which are affordable, durable, and stylish.

Computer Lenses – Suffering from eyestrain, headaches or blurry vision after a long day on the computer? Computer lenses could help. Even if you don’t normally need eyeglasses, your eyes could benefit from the protection and functionality that these specialty lenses have to offer. Benefits include better focus; reduced eye fatigue, and protection against harmful blue light. These lens options will help you maintain your eye health when your work just won’t let up.

If you are anything like me, you feel like the months of November and December are over before they arrive. The holidays bring so many fun and exciting activities to our lives, including the expiration of most Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Okay, so I’m kidding about the “fun and exciting” part, but it is an important end-of-the-year happening.

Okay, so I’m kidding about the “fun and exciting” part, but it is an important end-of-the-year happening. After all, nobody wants to get caught with unused funds. If you are looking for ways to spend those flex dollars, remember they can be applied to prescription glasses, contact lenses and prescription sunglasses (which we will discuss the importance of next week!).

Now is a great time to make your end-of-the-year appointment. Our schedule fills up rapidly this time of year, but we do currently have appointments available throughout November and December. Additionally, if you’ve already had your exam this year and are looking to utilize your flex dollars on a pair of great new prescription sunglasses, you can stop by to see Anne any time during regular business hours – no appointment necessary!  

Many flexible spending plans expire at the end of the year. Don’t get caught with unused funds. Flex dollars can be applied to prescription sunglasses, prescription glasses, and contact lenses. Need to wait until the last minute? No problem. We will be open Monday through Friday the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

Our Vera Bradley glasses trunk show and Transitions lens promotion on Tuesday, November 23rd is a great time to get the most for your flex spending. Discounts and giveaways from 10am-7pm.  

 anne@crozeteyecare.com

We appreciate your business, and hope you will visit us soon!