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Use it or Lose it!

Use It or Lose It: Don't Let Your 2025 Vision Benefits Disappear

 

The holiday season is a whirlwind of shopping lists, travel plans, and family gatherings. With so much going on, it's easy to forget one of the most important year-end deadlines: your healthcare benefits.

For millions of Americans, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) dollars and vision insurance plans reset on January 1st. That pre-tax money you've been setting aside all year? In most cases, it does not roll over. If you don't use it, you simply lose it.

Don't let your hard-earned benefits vanish. Here’s a smart checklist for how you can use those funds to invest in your vision and eye health before the clock runs out.

 

What Are FSA/HSA Dollars Good For?

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are fantastic tools for paying for medical expenses with pre-tax money. Eye care is one of the best and easiest ways to spend these funds.

If you have money left in your account, here’s how you can use it at The Eye Place:

 

1. The Comprehensive Eye Exam

Everything starts here. If you haven't had your annual exam, now is the time. Your co-pay and any out-of-pocket costs are fully eligible. This is the perfect first step to get an updated "lay of the land" for your eye health and prescription.

 

2. A New Pair of Prescription Eyeglasses

This is the most popular way to use end-of-year funds. Has your prescription changed? Or do you just want a fresh look for the new year? Your FSA/HSA will cover the frames and the lenses.

 

3. A "Second Pair" for a Specific Need

You don't just have to stick to one pair! This is the perfect time to use "extra" funds on specialty eyewear you've been putting off.

  • Computer Glasses: Reduce digital eye strain and block blue light.

  • Reading Glasses: Get a dedicated, high-quality pair for your desk or nightstand.

  • A "Backup" Pair: An extra set to keep in the car or at the office is always a smart move.

 

4. Prescription Sunglasses

Protecting your eyes from UV rays is a year-round job. Use your FSA to get a pair of high-quality, polarized prescription sunglasses. It's an investment in your long-term health that also feels like a luxury.

 

5. Stock Up on Contact Lenses

If you're a contact lens wearer, this is a no-brainer. Use your remaining funds to purchase a 6-month or even a full-year supply of lenses. You’ll be set for 2026 and you'll have paid for them with 2025 pre-tax dollars.

 

The "Double Dip": Check Your Vision Insurance, Too!

It's not just about FSAs. Most vision insurance plans (like VSP, EyeMed, etc.) also run on a calendar year. This means your benefits—like your allowance for frames or contact lenses—also expire on December 31st.

By combining your insurance benefits with your FSA funds, you can often get a new pair of glasses, or even two, for a minimal out-of-pocket cost.

 

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

The last two weeks of December are our busiest time of the year for this very reason. Appointments fill up fast as people rush to use their benefits.

The clock is ticking. Check your FSA balance, review your vision plan, and let's get you on the schedule.


Call The Eye Place at 804-794-3937 or schedule your appointment online today. Let's put your 2025 benefits to good use!