Sunglasses aren’t just fashion statements. They’re essential for your eye health. But are sunglasses FSA-eligible? Can you purchase them using the flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts provided through your employer? We break down the questions and answers in our article that will demystify FSA rules and sunglass purchases.
Are Sunglasses HSA/FSA Eligible?
Can you buy sunglasses with HSA or FSA accounts? The answer is yes, but only if they are corrective sunglasses, meaning they’re designed to correct a vision problem like near-sightedness, myopia or astigmatism. They follow the same guidelines the IRS has for medically necessary eyeglasses. Unfortunately, you typically cannot use these accounts to pay for sunglasses that don’t have corrective lenses in them. However, if your doctor submits a letter of medical necessity to your FSA or HSA (for example, if you don’t need vision correction but have a light sensitivity issue), you may be able to get your account to approve the purchase.
RIA Eyewear’s prescription sunglasses for sports are HSA- and FSA-eligible, and you should take advantage of that benefit.
How to Purchase Sunglasses with Your HSA/FSA
Before purchasing your HSA or FSA prescription sunglasses, double-check your plan’s rules for eyeglass coverage. In most cases, you’ll see that any prescription glasses can be paid with HSA and FSA funds. Next, see your eye doctor to receive a prescription for your sunglasses.
Once you have a prescription, you’re ready to purchase your sunglasses. At RIA Eyewear, we offer a wide variety of prescription glasses specific to your favorite sport – from sunglasses for golf or tennis to protective indoor eyewear for pickleball and squash. Fill out the Rx Inquiry Submission Form on the site to ensure we have the style and prescription strength for you.
You have two options for using FSA or HSA funds at RIA:
- Pay for your sunglasses on the site and then submit proof of purchase to your HSA or FSA plan to get reimbursed.
- Use your HSA or FSA card when you checkout through RIA Eyewear’s secure Flex application, which will draw the money directly out of your HSA or FSA account.
Benefits of Using HSA/FSA Funds for Sunglasses
It’s a good idea to capitalize on tax-advantaged FSA and HSA accounts to pay for medically necessary sunglasses. If it’s an FSA account and you have money left toward the end of the year, purchasing prescription sunglasses is a way to avoid losing that money, as FSA accounts don’t allow you to roll over the money in the next plan year.
Common Questions
Are prescription sunglasses FSA-eligible?
Yes. If your doctor writes a prescription for your sunglasses, you can use your FSA or HSA to pay for them with pre-tax dollars.
Is there a limit to the number of glasses I can purchase with my HSA or FSA?
Fortunately, the government does not currently limit the number of glasses or sunglasses you can purchase with this type of account. So, if you purchase everyday glasses, you can also select prescription sunglasses or even a couple pairs of prescription sunglasses.
Can I buy non-prescription sunglasses with HSA/FSA?
Typically, you cannot use your HSA or FSA to pay for non-prescription sunglasses. In some cases, your doctor may be able to request that non-prescription sunglasses become an eligible purchase by using a letter of medical necessity.
RIA Eyewear
Our company was founded in 2017 with the mission of providing high-performance and high-protection eyewear for athletes. We also offer a range of HSA- and FSA-eligible prescription sunglasses, so you can take advantage of the tax benefits both types of accounts offer. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/insurance/hsa-vs-fsa/
- https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/hsa-and-fsa-eligible-expenses
- https://www.withflex.com/blog/can-you-buy-sunglasses-with-your-hsa-fsa
