Don't lose your FSA money: How to spend health care dollars before year-end deadline.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow participants to set aside tax-free money for qualifying medical expenses, but most plans require that funds be used by the end of the year or risk forfeiture. Experts recommend checking your account balance, understanding what expenses are eligible, and consulting with your HR or plan manager to see if a grace period applies.

FSAs can be used for a wide range of items, including over-the-counter medicines, dental and vision care, and certain medical equipment. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management provides a comprehensive list of covered items, and consulting a tax professional can help ensure you maximize your benefits and comply with tax laws.

How to spend health care dollars before year-end deadline

Certainly nobody wants to throw their money away. You wouldn't do that, so don't take a chance on losing your hard-earned cash. If you participate in a healthcare flexible spending account known as a FSA, which is tax-free money put into a managed account for qualifying medical expenses, most plans carry a use-it-or-lose-it clause, meaning if you've been contributing money throughout the year but have not yet spent it, time is ticking until the end-of-the-year deadline. Experian Financial suggests talking with your human resource manager or plan manager to not only find out your balance, but also if there's any type of grace period outside the December 31st deadline to deplete the account. Now, many people might be confused about what purchases flexible spending accounts for healthcare reasons can be used for. The fund covers a wide range of costs, from sunblock to childbirth classes, masks and dental and vision expenses. You can use it for pain relief, cough and cold medicine, allergy medicine, antacid, eye drops, first aid. Yeah, a large array of things. It also covers certain medical equipment and at-home tests, such as blood pressure monitors, COVID tests and diabetic supplies. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has a website that lists more than 300 items that are covered and not covered. And if you aren't sure if something's covered, check with your pharmacist. To get the most of your money, make sure you are following the specific tax laws regarding FSAs. You can talk to a tax attorney or accountant to get a little bit more clarity on that. It really may be worth the call, so you protect your money and in this case, spend it to save smarter.

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