Maximize Your Healthcare Savings with Tax-Free Dollars
$33002025 Contribution Limit
30%Average Tax Savings
$660Max Carryover to 2026
What is a Flexible Spending Account?
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an employer-sponsored savings account that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to pay for qualified out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. By contributing to an FSA, you can save up to 30% on healthcare costs, depending on your tax bracket.
FSA contributions are deducted from your paycheck before federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax are calculated, reducing your taxable income and increasing your take-home savings.
Important: FSAs are only available to employees of companies that offer this benefit. Self-employed individuals are not eligible for FSAs.
Key Benefits
Tax-free contributions and withdrawals
Immediate access to full annual amount
Covers family members' expenses
Wide range of eligible expenses
Optional carryover of unused funds
2025 Contribution Limits & Rules
Healthcare FSA
$3300
Maximum contribution per employee for 2025 (increased from $3,200 in 2024)
Limited Purpose FSA
$3300
For dental and vision expenses only. Can be paired with an HSA
Dependent Care FSA
$5000
For childcare and dependent care expenses (unchanged from 2024)
Carryover Amount
$660
Maximum unused funds that can carry over from 2025 to 2026 (if plan allows)
Household Contributions: If both you and your spouse have FSAs through separate employers, each of you can contribute up to $3300 in 2025, for a total household contribution of $6600.
Types of Flexible Spending Accounts
The most common type of FSA, allowing you to use pre-tax dollars for a wide variety of healthcare expenses including:
Medical co-pays and deductibles
Prescription medications
Dental and vision care
Over-the-counter medications
Medical equipment and supplies
Qualified medical services
Note: You cannot contribute to both a Healthcare FSA and an HSA simultaneously.
Designed specifically for individuals who have a Health Savings Account (HSA). This FSA can only be used for:
Dental care expenses
Vision care expenses
Preventive care (in some plans)
Advantage: Allows you to maximize both your HSA and FSA benefits simultaneously, reserving HSA funds for retirement while using LPFSA for dental and vision needs.
Helps pay for dependent care expenses that enable you to work or look for work. Eligible expenses include:
Daycare for children under 13
Preschool and before/after school care
Summer day camps
Adult day care for disabled dependents
In-home care providers
2025 Limit: $5000 per household ($2,500 if married filing separately)
Note: Unlike Healthcare FSAs, Dependent Care FSAs typically do not offer carryover or grace period options.
FSA-Eligible Expenses
Your Healthcare FSA can be used for a wide range of medical, dental, and vision expenses for you, your spouse, and your dependents.
Note: Some expenses may require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your healthcare provider. Always check with your FSA administrator to confirm eligibility before making purchases.
For a complete list: Visit the IRS Publication 502 or check with your FSA provider's eligibility tool.
How FSAs Work
1
Enroll During Open Enrollment
Choose your FSA contribution amount during your employer's benefits enrollment period. Remember, you must elect to participate every year - FSAs don't automatically renew.
2
Contribute Through Payroll
Your chosen amount is divided equally across your paychecks and deducted before taxes are calculated, reducing your taxable income throughout the year.
3
Access Full Amount Immediately
Unlike an HSA, your entire annual FSA amount is available on day one of the plan year, even though you're contributing through payroll over time.
4
Pay for Eligible Expenses
Use your FSA debit card or pay out-of-pocket and submit receipts for reimbursement. FSA funds can cover expenses for you, your spouse, and dependents.
5
Use It Before Year End
Remember the "use-it-or-lose-it" rule. Spend your FSA funds by the plan year deadline. Some plans offer a grace period or allow up to $660 to carry over to the next year.
Important Rules & Considerations
Use-It-or-Lose-It Rule
FSA funds generally must be used by the end of the plan year. However, your employer may offer one of these options:
Grace Period: Up to 2.5 additional months to use previous year's funds
Carryover: Up to $660 can carry over to the next plan year
Plans can offer either a grace period OR carryover, but not both.
Annual Election Required
You must actively elect to participate in your FSA every year during open enrollment. FSAs do not automatically renew from year to year.
Mark your calendar for your company's benefits enrollment period!
Qualifying Life Events
You generally cannot change your FSA contribution mid-year unless you experience a qualifying life event such as:
Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption of a child
Change in employment status
Significant change in dependent care costs
FSA vs. HSA
You generally cannot have both a Healthcare FSA and an HSA at the same time. However, you can have:
An HSA + Limited Purpose FSA (dental/vision only)
An HSA + Dependent Care FSA
Choose the account type that best fits your healthcare needs and financial situation.
Non-Portable Benefit
FSAs are tied to your employer. If you leave your job, you typically lose access to your FSA funds, though COBRA continuation may be available for Healthcare FSAs.
Plan your spending carefully if you're considering a job change.
Documentation Required
Keep all receipts and documentation for FSA purchases. You may need to provide itemized receipts showing:
Date of service or purchase
Description of service/product
Amount charged
Provider name
Frequently Asked Questions
FSAs are employer-sponsored benefits, so when you leave your job, you typically lose access to your remaining FSA funds. However, you may have some options:
You usually have a run-out period (often 90 days) to submit claims for expenses incurred before your termination date
You may be eligible to continue your Healthcare FSA through COBRA, though you'll have to pay the full cost plus a 2% administrative fee
Any unused funds after the run-out period typically revert to your employer
Plan carefully if you know you'll be changing jobs mid-year.
Yes! Your FSA funds can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses for you, your spouse, and your tax dependents, even if they're not covered under your health insurance plan. This includes:
Your spouse
Your children (under age 27 for tax purposes in most cases)
Other tax dependents you claim on your tax return
A Letter of Medical Necessity is a document from your healthcare provider stating that a product or service is medically necessary to treat a specific condition. Some items require an LMN to be eligible for FSA reimbursement, including:
Massage therapy
Gym memberships (when prescribed for a specific medical condition)
Air purifiers
Ergonomic equipment
Certain over-the-counter items
The LMN should include your diagnosis, the recommended treatment, and how long you'll need the item or service.
Generally, you cannot change your FSA election once the plan year begins unless you experience a qualifying life event (QLE). Qualifying events include:
Marriage, divorce, or legal separation
Birth or adoption of a child
Death of a spouse or dependent
Change in employment status (you or your spouse)
Significant change in cost of dependent care
Change in residence
You typically have 30 days from the qualifying event to make changes to your FSA election.
Yes! Since the CARES Act was passed in 2020, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and drugs are FSA-eligible without a prescription. This includes:
However, OTC medical supplies like bandages, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors still need to be for medical purposes.
There are typically three ways to access your FSA funds:
FSA Debit Card: Use your FSA debit card directly at the point of sale for eligible purchases. This is the easiest method.
Pay Out-of-Pocket and Submit for Reimbursement: Pay with your own money, then submit an itemized receipt through your FSA administrator's website or mobile app.
Direct Provider Payment: Some FSA administrators allow direct payment to healthcare providers.
When submitting claims, you'll typically need an itemized receipt showing the date, description of service/product, amount, and provider name. Check with your FSA administrator for specific requirements.
While both FSAs and HSAs help you save on healthcare costs, there are key differences:
Feature
FSA
HSA
Ownership
Employer-owned
Employee-owned
Portability
Not portable (lose when leaving job)
Portable (stays with you)
Rollover
Limited ($660 max) or grace period
Unlimited rollover
2025 Limit
$3300
$4,300 (individual) / $8,550 (family)
Investment Options
No
Yes
Requirements
Employer must offer
Must have High Deductible Health Plan
To determine your optimal FSA contribution, consider these expenses:
Regular prescriptions (multiply monthly cost by 12)
Planned medical procedures or surgeries
Expected deductibles and co-pays
Routine dental work (cleanings, fillings, etc.)
Vision care (exams, glasses, contacts)
Ongoing treatments or therapy
Expected OTC medications and supplies
Orthodontics (braces, retainers)
Pro tip: Review your previous year's healthcare spending as a starting point, but be conservative - it's better to contribute slightly less than to lose unused funds at year-end.
Additional Resources
IRS Publication 502
Complete list of eligible medical and dental expenses
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered tax, legal, or financial advice. FSA rules and contribution limits are subject to change by the IRS. Always consult with your employer's benefits administrator or a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Last updated: October 2025.
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Kendall Healthcare Border Foam Gentle Adhesion Dressing 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" with 2" x 2" Pad
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