Ideas on using up FSA dollars? (dermatologist, eyeglasses, buy)

[cdnc123]

This is the first year ever I have had a balance left in my FSA. There are only but so many bandages and other little health related knick-knacks that I really need . I have already attended all of my usual annual health activities (annual physical, dental, vision etc). My vision is great, so no glasses/contacts needed. My teeth are fine, so no dental work needed. And there's not really any other medical services that I can think of that I may want to have done. With 12/31 quickly approaching, what are your suggestions so that I do not end up forfeiting the $500 I have in my account?

[momtothree]

Are there any prescriptions you can prepay for a year? Is this just for you? Anyone in your family wear contacts, etc that you can pay a years supply? I don't know if a gym membership counts but you can pay that up for a year etc. Do you have feet issues? Aching feet after working all day etc? You can buy custom shoe inserts as well.

[cpw]

Skin check at the Dermatologist.

[eman1200]

Massage therapy, if its for a medical reason (you'll need a note of some kind). That's what I'll be doing with my fsa$. ©

[Gumbo]

Thank God they are allowing for $500 carry over next year. What a waste to make people estimate their healthcare expenses only to forfeit money if God forbid, they are healthy.

I'd go with trying to get a bunch of massages if you can get an MD to write a note. Should be easy. Just tell your MD you are stressed out (aren't we all?).

[joanchris2000]

Any OTC meds you can get your doc to write a script for (they still allow that, right?), I'm thinking the more expensive stuff like prevacid (that's our biggest OTC cost).

[Sean_CLT]

Originally Posted by Gumbo

Thank God they are allowing for $500 carry over next year. What a waste to make people estimate their healthcare expenses only to forfeit money if God forbid, they are healthy.

The whole "use it or lose it" aspect made me drop out of the FSA program a few years ago. I usually had money left, and like the OP I ended up with a cabinet full of over the counter meds that I never really needed. Plus I hated how closely managed it had become: FAXing receipts, having paperwork rejected by the plan administrator because items did not have the little "C" on the receipt beside eligible items. The rules are aggravating. You can't use an FSA for sunscreen, or dental floss, or toothpaste, for example.

One year I bought some various children's medicine with the remaining funds, and mailed it off to a cousin who was raising some infants.

[Gumbo]

Yeah, I managed to spend my entire FSA amount early this year. The account got to $0 and then they started hammering me for receipts. I've ignored them b/c there is nothing in my account. Hoping they can't do anything about it when next year's funds go in (I hate having to call every provider I've been to in order to requests old receipts).

[Sean_CLT]

I would assume if you don't turn in the receipts and get cleared, those funds will be added back onto your 1099 as taxable income.

[BlondeLocks]

You most certainly need you receipts. My claims are rejected without a receipt.

Other than big ticket items like eyeglasses and medical co-pays, dental, FSA limits what it can be used for in the drug store. Are any family members listed with you?