Using FSA dollars for eye care

Considering nearly two out of every three Americans wear prescription glasses, it's surprising there's so much confusion around the FSA eligibility of eye wear and vision care. What's even more surprising is why more Americans aren't using their tax-free funds to pay for the products and services necessary to maintain proper eye health. And we're not just talking eyeglass repair kits and lens wipes -- there are some seriously surprising eye care items on our Eligibility List.

How an HSA can lower your taxes each year

Now that this year's tax season is just about here, we figured this was the perfect time to think about lowering your taxes -- because we're pretty sure everyone wants to lower their tax bill. It's a national pastime -- hunting around for little-known deductions and credits that may decrease how much you owe at the end of the year.

First U.S. Case of Novel Coronavirus Confirmed

On Jan. 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the first confirmed U.S. case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This particular coronavirus is associated with an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and is responsible for hundreds of illnesses and 17 deaths in China.

What happens to lost FSA money?

As you probably know from looking around our site, the 12/31 deadline is just about here. It's an exciting time for us, of course. But it's also an exciting time for FSA owners who have the chance to make the most of their tax-free funds, rather than forfeiting them due to the "use it or lose it" rule.

PCORI Fees Extended for 10 Years

The same spending bill that repealed the Cadillac tax, the medical devices excise tax and the health insurance providers fee reinstated the annual Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees for the 2020-2029 fiscal years.

What if you have "buyer's remorse" after open enrollment?

As consumers, we're used to a certain level of protection from our own bad decisions. If we change our mind about an item we bought, we can usually return it. If a company doesn't offer returns, we can apply for a chargeback on the credit card we used. If the chargeback is denied, we can sell the item online to recoup most of the cost.

That's Eligible?! What I learned from a 5-week head cold

I could feel the sneeze coming and tried my best to stop it. I looked up at the lights and held my breath (or is that what you do for hiccups?). My eyes started to water and I knew that the fight was over. "ACHOO!" The sound of my sneeze echoed around the conference room and before I could even apologize for the interruption to the meeting, three more sneezes left my body, "ACHOO! ACHOO! ACHOO!"

7 retirement mistakes to avoid when you're young

When retirement is decades away, it's easy to put it on the proverbial back-burner in favor of more-pressing money needs and goals. But without a good retirement strategy now, you could be left working longer than you want.

Public Health Officials Warn of Another Bad Flu Season

Recent figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have public health officials predicting another dangerous flu season. Health departments across the nation have reported widespread flu activity that has reached similar peaks to that of the 2017-18 flu season—one of the most severe flu seasons in almost a decade.

Just how strict is the 12/31 FSA deadline?

Just take a look around FSAstore.com and you'll notice that we're racing toward the year-end FSA deadline. And there's a good reason -- a LOT of people have their deadlines fall on the end of the calendar year. It's an exciting time around here (and for anyone getting great deals on FSA-eligible products) but it doesn't apply to all FSA holders.

HSA vs FSA: What is the difference?

"HSA or FSA?"

Asking this question is like asking someone, "Lollipops or lobster?" Technically, they're both similar (foods and tax-free health care accounts, to be specific). But comparing the two on an apples-to-apples level isn't going to help you make the right decision for your needs.

Guide to using your FSA card

FSA cards are pretty common these days – almost every FSA provider gives you one to help using your funds (and tracking your spending) easier. But if you're new to FSAs (or at least new to these cards) you probably have some questions about how they work, where they can be used, what they're NOT for, etc. etc.