{"id":2772,"date":"2025-02-19T14:10:38","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T19:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=2772"},"modified":"2026-04-02T04:49:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T08:49:25","slug":"fsa-hsa-for-contacts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/fsa-hsa-for-contacts","title":{"rendered":"Can You Use an FSA or HSA for Contact Lenses?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Yes! You can use the money in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to buy prescription contact lenses<\/a>. In addition, you can pay for eyeglasses<\/a>, eye exams<\/a>, and many other eye-related expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s explore the nuts and bolts of HSAs and FSAs<\/a>, including how they work, their differences, and what they can (and can\u2019t) pay for.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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Have an FSA or HSA?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Use it to save on contact lenses<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop contacts<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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HSAs and FSAs: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both HSAs and FSAs are savings accounts that let you accumulate pre-tax funds and withdraw them (also tax-free) to pay for medical expenses like contact lenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their similarities, HSAs and FSAs aren\u2019t the same. They operate differently and have different rules for (among other things) how much money you\u2019re allowed to contribute to the account and whether it\u2019s still yours if you leave your job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a brief look at what each account entails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HSA Basics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As an employee benefit, your workplace might offer a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with an HSA as part of the package. If so, your workplace usually funds the HSA with pre-tax money deducted from your paycheck (with your permission). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annual HSA contribution limits for 2025 are $4,300 for a person with individual coverage from an HDHP. The limit is $8,550 for those with family coverage. People 55 and older can make an additional annual \u201ccatch-up\u201d contribution of $1,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any unused money in your HSA rolls over year after year and gets added to any new contributions. Your HSA and the funds in it belong to you, even if you leave your employer or stop working altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FSA Basics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like an HSA, an FSA is an employee benefit, and the account is usually funded with pre-tax contributions deducted from each paycheck. The annual FSA contribution limit for 2025 is $3,300. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike an HSA, an FSA doesn\u2019t have to be tied to a health insurance plan. Most FSAs don\u2019t roll over\u2014that is, you need to spend the money in the account within the year. Otherwise, the funds \u201cexpire.\u201d And if you leave your employer, you can\u2019t take the funds with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

To find out the exact rules of your HSA or FSA, access your account or contact your employer\u2019s health plan administrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Your FSA or HSA for Contacts\u2014and More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So what can you pay for with your HSA or FSA? In general, if an item or service is meant to correct your vision or treat a health issue, it\u2019s an \u201celigible expense.\u201d That means you\u2019re allowed to use your HSA or FSA to pay for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have vision insurance<\/a>, your FSA or HSA can come in handy to pay expenses that your policy doesn\u2019t cover. For example, let\u2019s say your vision insurance gives you a yearly allowance of $100 to use toward contacts but the contacts your eye doctor prescribed cost $200. You could pay that $100 difference with funds from your FSA or HSA. (Now seems like a good time to mention: Get up to a $50 credit, good to use on any glasses or sunglasses, when you stock up.<\/a> (Restrictions apply.))\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about vision insurance, read our guide: \u201cIs Vision Insurance Worth It?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at what usually qualifies as an eligible expense and what doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Probably Covered<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eligible expenses related to vision and eye health usually include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n