Use Your Vision Benefits & FSA Dollars
Before Time Runs Out
If you had hundreds of dollars in gift cards that expired at the end of the year, you would make sure to use them, right? Of course! Yet thousands of people every year let their vision benefits expire without using them.
Most vision benefits don’t carry over to the following year—you have to use ‘em or you’ll lose ‘em. The good news is that taking advantage of your vision benefits is easier than you might think. Whether you have vision insurance, an FSA, an HSA, or another health savings account, there are simple ways to maximize these dollars. Get ready to rock a new pair of frames for the new year!
Understanding and Reviewing Your Benefits
Before getting a new pair of glasses or a supply of contacts, it’s important to understand and review your vision benefits and health savings funds, especially when you’re nearing the end of the year. To cover any costs not covered by vision insurance, you might be able to use:
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
- Health savings accounts (HSAs)
- Limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSAs)
Here’s a brief overview of each type of tax-exempt health spending account. Keep in mind your individual plan may have unique restrictions, so check your policies and ask your HR manager or accountant if you need clarification.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA)
A flexible spending account (FSA) is an employer-provided spending account that an employee contributes to throughout the year. You can use the accumulated money to pay for eye care and other qualified health expenses whenever they pop up.
FSAs offer tax-free savings! However, the funds are non-transferable if you leave your job and may have other restrictions, depending on your employer. These funds generally don’t roll over into the following year, so make sure to check your account well before the end of the year, or you could lose the money.
How Many Pairs of Glasses Can I Buy with My FSA?
Glasses are definitely FSA eligible—and with no limit on eye care purchases, an FSA allows you to buy as many pairs of glasses as you want! The only limit is the balance in your account.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are tax-free accounts to which you contribute funds that you can later use to cover out-of-pocket medical costs. This type of account is typically paired with a high-deductible health plan. It operates similarly to a personal savings account but features pre-tax contributions and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.
An HSA can help you save on an eye exam, a new pair of glasses, prescription sunglasses, or new contacts. Unlike an FSA, HSA funds typically don't expire at the year's end and can roll over indefinitely. However, you should check your account periodically to plan for upcoming medical expenses and maximize savings potential.
Limited-Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA)
A limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) is a specialized version of an FSA that’s designed to work alongside HSAs. You can’t have both a regular FSA and HSA at the same time, but you can have an LPFSA with your HSA. They’re specifically for dental and vision expenses only.
Like regular FSAs, LPFSA funds usually expire at the end of the plan year, so you need to use the funds before they disappear. LPFSAs allow you to save even more on eye care while you reserve your HSA for other medical expenses.
Vision Benefits
Most vision plans entitle you to one annual eye exam and a credit or discount on prescription glasses and contacts. These eye care benefits usually expire at the end of the year and don't roll over into the following year.
Some use their vision benefits to get an eye exam and discover their prescription hasn’t changed. However, your vision insurance benefits often include a frame allowance, whether your prescription changes or not! This is the perfect time to get a backup pair, change your look with a new frame style, purchase sunglasses, or try contacts!
How Does Vision Insurance Work? An Overview
Vision insurance benefits typically work like this: You pay a monthly premium (often through your employer) and in return get coverage for expenses like eye exams, a glasses or contact allowance, and discounts when you use in-network providers. You typically pay out-of-pocket first, then get reimbursed, or the provider bills the insurance directly. You pay for any costs above your allowances (like premium frames or lens upgrades).
You can also opt for an individual vision plan rather than getting it through an employer.
Remember—always check your specific plan documents to verify what is and isn’t covered, as benefits vary between insurance providers and employers.
What Does Vision Insurance Usually Cover?
When you understand everything covered under your vision insurance policy, it’s a lot easier to maximize your benefits. Common vision insurance plans cover:
Annual comprehensive eye exam:
Usually one per year
Prescription eyeglasses:
Frame allowance plus lens coverage
Contact lenses:
Annual supply or fitting allowance
Often covered similarly to regular glasses
Progressive or bifocal lenses:
May have additional copays
Anti-reflective coating:
Often discounted or partially covered
Basic lens treatments:
Scratch-resistant coatings, UV protection
What Might Not Be Covered?
Though coverage varies by plan, these items are commonly excluded or have limited coverage:
Premium lens upgrades (high-index, photochromic, or specialty lenses)
Designer frame upgrades beyond your allowance
Multiple pairs of glasses in the same benefit period
Replacement glasses due to damage or loss
Cosmetic procedures like LASIK (some plans offer discounts)
Safety glasses for work (unless medically necessary)
When Does Vision Insurance Reset?
Most plans reset at the end of each year. However, be sure to double-check, because some plans reset at the end of an employer's fiscal year, not the calendar year. Knowing when your benefits reset and using them before that can help you maximize the vision perks you’re paying for.
What About FSA, HSA, and LPFSA Eligible Vision Expenses?
Health savings accounts generally have fewer restrictions than vision insurance. Generally, there are no hard annual limits for eye care expenses, more flexibility on what you can purchase, and no provider network restrictions.
The lists below are general guidelines, so it’s wise to verify with your benefits administrator or tax professional, as regulations can change and individual plans may vary.
What You CAN Purchase with FSA/HSA/LPFSA Funds
- Prescription eyeglasses and frames
- Contact lenses and solution
- Prescription sunglasses
- Eye exams (routine and medical)
- Reading glasses (over-the-counter)
- Computer glasses with blue light filtering lenses
- Safety glasses (with prescription)
- Eye drops for medical conditions
- Contact lens cases and cleaning supplies
- Magnifying glasses for medical conditions
What You CANNOT Purchase with FSA/HSA/LPFSA Funds
- Non-prescription sunglasses
- Cosmetic contact lenses (colored, decorative)
- Eye makeup or cosmetics
- Lens insurance or warranty plans
- Sports goggles without prescription
How Do Vision Insurance Benefits Work with Health Savings Accounts?
You don’t need vision insurance to use your HSA, FSA, or LPFSA for eye care expenses. They can cover eye exams, glasses, and contacts whether you have vision insurance or not. Combining vision benefits with health savings accounts gives you the best of both worlds—insurance discounts plus flexible spending power.
With Vision Insurance
You can apply your vision insurance benefits first, then use your HSA/FSA/LPFSA funds to cover any remaining out-of-pocket costs, copays, or upgrades not covered by insurance.
Without Vision Insurance
Your health savings account funds can cover the full cost of eye exams, glasses, and contacts, making quality eye care accessible even without traditional vision coverage.
Many people love the flexibility of both, where you can get the eye care you need while maximizing both your insurance benefits and tax-advantaged savings.
Have I Maximized My Vision Benefits This Year? A Checklist
Use this quick checklist to make sure you’re getting the most from your benefits.
How to Take Advantage of Your Benefits Before They Expire
Before the year ends, get clear on your vision benefits and when they expire—and consider your vision needs. Next, it's time to take advantage of any additional benefits.
Schedule Your Yearly Eye Exam
If you haven’t had your annual eye exam this year, schedule it now! Just like benefits, vision prescriptions have expiration dates. Eye doctors recommend annual eye exams to check for vision changes and assess and monitor your overall health.
Visionworks makes it incredibly easy to schedule appointments online. During your visit, your optometrist can detect changes in vision or even early signs of other health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure during your eye exam.
Order a Supply of Contacts
If you wear contacts, the end of the year is an excellent time to stock up! Take advantage of your vision benefits and get a supply of contacts before the year ends and your benefits expire.
Contacts keep getting more comfortable and work for a wider variety of patients—even those with astigmatism. At Visionworks, we’re always looking for ways to help you save, so check out our contact lens rebates.
Buy New Glasses Online Or in Our Stores
Now comes the fun part—finding the perfect pair of frames! Even if your prescription hasn’t changed, you can use your remaining vision benefits to get a trendy pair of prescription sunglasses, backup glasses, or frames that help you switch up your look.
Visionworks carries all your favorite brands, including Lacoste, Ray-Ban, Otis+Grey, Nike, and more. Shop a wide range of styles, colors, and shapes—there are hundreds of frames to love!
How Often Should I Get New Glasses?
It’s recommended that you get a new pair every one to three years. Whether your vision changes often or rarely, it’s essential to always have glasses that match your prescription. We can help you find your ideal pair of glasses in stores and online.
Visionworks Makes Buying Glasses Simple, Fun, and Affordable
Don’t let your vision benefits expire because you’re overwhelmed about scheduling eye exams and picking out new glasses. At Visionworks, our team knows you are busy and we don’t want your schedule to keep you from the best vision care. That’s why we’re on a mission to simplify eye care.
Visionworks Has the Tools to Save You Time
We let you schedule eye exams online, fill out paperwork in advance at home, and order glasses for easy pickup or delivery. After your exam, a Visionworks associate will be happy to help you find a great frame style. If you prefer to shop online, take advantage of resources to make selecting glasses a breeze, like our guide to finding the perfect glasses to fit your face shape.
Visionworks Has Options—So You Can Be Unique
Our team is dedicated to making sure you find the ideal eyewear at a great price. Varying shapes, numerous colors, and top brands all provide you with choices. Express your unique style while showing off a pair of glasses that make your vision clearer than ever.
Visionworks Saves You Money
We want to make eye care affordable, so we offer The Works. With The Works, you can get 10% off your annual contacts supply, free shipping, 60% off a pair of prescription glasses (good for backup!), and $50 off sunglasses—even designer brands! Save by using your vision benefits and our special offers and rebates.
Visionworks Glasses Are Covered by Our 100-Day Guarantee
Purchasing new glasses is a big decision, and we want you to feel confident with your choice. That’s why all our glasses are backed by our 100-day guarantee. If by day 100, you're not 100% in love with your new glasses, we'll exchange them. Guaranteed.
Simply bring your glasses back, and we’ll make them right—anything from the prescription needing to be tweaked to you simply not liking how the glasses look on you. We’ll even exchange the original pair with another pair of glasses with frames and lenses of your choice (of equal or lesser value). Just make sure the returned pair of glasses is in its original condition.
Choose Visionworks Today
It’s time for you to take advantage of all your vision benefits. Use those funds before they disappear, and enjoy showing off your new eyewear! Schedule an appointment or visit our online store to shop, and we’ll take care of all your visual needs.
Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
