Every December, plenty of people in South County discover money sitting in a flexible spending account with only a few weeks left to spend it. Others realize they met their insurance deductible back in the summer and never booked the follow-up visit they meant to. If either sounds familiar, the end of the year is a smart time to take care of your eyes.
Your FSA: The Real “Use It or Lose It” Account
A health flexible spending account (FSA) lets you set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses, but most of that money has to be spent within the plan year. Some employers offer a grace period of up to two and a half months. Others let you carry a limited balance into the next year, up to $680 for 2026 plan years. A plan can offer one of those options or neither, but never both. Anything left over beyond that is forfeited, so check with your benefits administrator to confirm your exact deadline. Many people elect a set amount during open enrollment, then lose track of the balance once the year gets busy. A quick look at your account balance right now can save you from leaving real money on the table.
Your HSA: No Deadline, Still Worth Using
Health savings accounts work differently. HSA dollars roll over from year to year and stay with you even if you change jobs, so there is no year-end cutoff. Still, if you have been putting off an eye exam or a new pair of glasses, your HSA is a tax-advantaged way to pay for them now instead of later.
What Your Eye Care Dollars Can Cover
FSA and HSA funds can typically be used for:
-Comprehensive and medical eye exams
-Prescription eyeglasses, including designer frames
-Prescription sunglasses
-Contact lenses and contact lens fittings
-Eligible dry eye treatments and supplies
Non-prescription sunglasses and purely cosmetic purchases usually do not qualify. When in doubt, ask your plan before you buy.
Don’t Forget Your Deductible
If you have already met your medical insurance deductible this year, care for conditions like dry eye, diabetic eye changes or macular degeneration may cost you less now than it will in January, when most deductibles reset. Because Rhode Eyeland bills medical insurance for medical eye care, timing your visit can make a real difference.
What About Vision Benefits?
Many vision plans renew on January 1, which means an unused exam or eyewear allowance may not carry forward. We handle vision benefits through out-of-network reimbursement filing, and our team is happy to walk you through what to expect before your appointment.
Book Before the Calendar Fills Up
The last weeks of the year get busy, and custom prescription eyewear takes time to make. If you want new glasses ordered before your deadline, schedule early. Contact lens orders and frame adjustments also take time, so earlier is better.
Rhode Eyeland is an independent, locally owned optometry practice at 74 Frenchtown Road in North Kingstown, serving South County families for more than a decade. Call (401) 262-0042 to book your exam, or stop by our optical department to browse our designer frames.