Why your patients may be losing their health-care FSA funds

<!doctype html><html lang="en"><head><script type="application/javascript" id="hs-cookie-banner-scan" data-hs-allowed="true" src="/_hcms/cookie-banner/auto-blocking.js?portalId=5977230&domain=blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org"></script> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title>Why your patients may be losing their health-care FSA funds</title> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Mass_General_Brigham_August_2022/Images/faviconV2.png"> <meta name="description" content="Many of your patients have Flexible Spending accounts, and they can save on their health care costs by learning more about FSA eligible expenses for 2019."> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hs-fs/hub/5977230/hub_generated/template_assets/82085669395/1699282157532/Mass_General_Brigham_August_2022/css/main.min.css"> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hs-fs/hub/5977230/hub_generated/template_assets/82084975105/1699282155224/Mass_General_Brigham_August_2022/css/templates/_blog.min.css"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <script src="/hs/hsstatic/jquery-libs/static-1.4/jquery/jquery-1.11.2.js"></script> <script>hsjQuery = window['jQuery'];</script> <meta property="og:description" content="Many of your patients have Flexible Spending accounts, and they can save on their health care costs by learning more about FSA eligible expenses for 2019."> <meta property="og:title" content="Why your patients may be losing their health-care FSA funds"> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Many of your patients have Flexible Spending accounts, and they can save on their health care costs by learning more about FSA eligible expenses for 2019."> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Why your patients may be losing their health-care FSA funds"> <style> a.cta_button{-moz-box-sizing:content-box !important;-webkit-box-sizing:content-box !important;box-sizing:content-box !important;vertical-align:middle}.hs-breadcrumb-menu{list-style-type:none;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px}.hs-breadcrumb-menu-item{float:left;padding:10px 0px 10px 10px}.hs-breadcrumb-menu-divider:before{content:'›';padding-left:10px}.hs-featured-image-link{border:0}.hs-featured-image{float:right;margin:0 0 20px 20px;max-width:50%}@media (max-width: 568px){.hs-featured-image{float:none;margin:0;width:100%;max-width:100%}}.hs-screen-reader-text{clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);height:1px;overflow:hidden;position:absolute !important;width:1px} </style> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400&display=swap"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto+Slab:wght@300&display=swap"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hs-fs/hub/5977230/hub_generated/template_assets/82085698924/1699282157548/Mass_General_Brigham_August_2022/css/theme-overrides.min.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hs-fs/hub/5977230/hub_generated/module_assets/82090546779/1660631028396/module_82090546779_Site_Search.min.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/hs/hsstatic/BlogSocialSharingSupport/static-1.258/bundles/project.css"> <style> @font-face { font-family: "Roboto"; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-display: swap; src: url("/_hcms/googlefonts/Roboto/regular.woff2") format("woff2"), url("/_hcms/googlefonts/Roboto/regular.woff") format("woff"); } </style> <script> /*Code to remove the consent banner cookies when a visitor clicks an element with the 'removeCookies' id.*/ var _hsp = window._hsp = window._hsp || []; document.getElementById("removeCookies").onclick = function() { _hsp.push(['revokeCookieConsent']); }; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> (function(window, document, dataLayerName, id) { window[dataLayerName]=window[dataLayerName]||[],window[dataLayerName].push({start:(new Date).getTime(),event:"stg.start"});var scripts=document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0],tags=document.createElement('script'); function stgCreateCookie(a,b,c){var d="";if(c){var e=new Date;e.setTime(e.getTime()+24*c*60*60*1e3),d="; expires="+e.toUTCString();f="; SameSite=Strict"}document.cookie=a+"="+b+d+f+"; path=/"} var isStgDebug=(window.location.href.match("stg_debug")||document.cookie.match("stg_debug"))&&!window.location.href.match("stg_disable_debug");stgCreateCookie("stg_debug",isStgDebug?1:"",isStgDebug?14:-1); var qP=[];dataLayerName!=="dataLayer"&&qP.push("data_layer_name="+dataLayerName),isStgDebug&&qP.push("stg_debug");var qPString=qP.length>0?("?"+qP.join("&")):""; tags.async=!0,tags.src="https://mgb.containers.piwik.pro/"+id+".js"+qPString,scripts.parentNode.insertBefore(tags,scripts); !function(a,n,i){a[n]=a[n]||{};for(var c=0;c<i.length;c++)!function(i){a[n][i]=a[n][i]||{},a[n][i].api=a[n][i].api||function(){var a=[].slice.call(arguments,0);"string"==typeof a[0]&&window[dataLayerName].push({event:n+"."+i+":"+a[0],parameters:[].slice.call(arguments,1)})}}(i[c])}(window,"ppms",["tm","cm"]); })(window, document, 'dataLayer', '555fbf7a-be0d-4c7e-8667-7267bb9555b0'); </script> <meta property="og:image" content="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1038717511.jpg"> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1000"> <meta property="og:image:height" content="667"> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="woman holding up handful of cash"> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1038717511.jpg"> <meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="woman holding up handful of cash"> <meta property="og:url" content="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/blog/fsa-eligible-expenses"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/blog/fsa-eligible-expenses"> <meta property="og:type" content="article"> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/rss.xml"> <meta name="twitter:domain" content="blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org"> <meta http-equiv="content-language" content="en"> <meta name="generator" content="HubSpot"></head> <body> <div class="body-wrapper hs-content-id-22692316166 hs-blog-post hs-blog-id-12354087613"> <div data-global-resource-path="Mass_General_Brigham_August_2022/templates/partials/headers/mgbhp-header.html"><div class="otr_hder"> <header class="header"> <button class="menu-toggle"></button> <div class="region r-header-top"> <div class="r-header-top__content"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_top_menu" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"> <nav aria-label="Main menu" class="navigation-primary"> <ul class="submenu level-1"> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="http://member.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/" class="menu-link">Member portal</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="http://employer.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/" class="menu-link">Employer portal</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="http://broker.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/" class="menu-link">Broker portal</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="http://provider.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/" class="menu-link">Provider portal</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/covid-19" class="menu-link">COVID-19</a> </li> </ul> </nav></div> </div> </div> <div class="r-header"> <div class="r-header__content"> <div class="logo-wrapper"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_header_logo" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"><div class="custom-logo"> <a href="https://www.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/"> <img src="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Mass%20General%20Brigham%20Health%20Plan/Logos/MGB_Health_Plan_horiz_rgb-1.svg" alt="MGB_Health_Plan_horiz_rgb-1"> </a> </div></div> </div> <div class="des_menu"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_btm_menu" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"> <nav aria-label="Main menu" class="navigation-primary"> <ul class="submenu level-1"> <li class="has-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="javascript:;" class="menu-link">Explore plans</a> <span class="submenu-toggle"></span> <ul class="submenu level-2"> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/small-business" class="menu-link">1-4 employees</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/small-groups" class="menu-link">5-50 employees</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/large-groups" class="menu-link">51+ employees</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/individuals-families" class="menu-link">You and your family</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/allies" class="menu-link">Allies plans</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamadvantage.org" class="menu-link">Medicare Advantage</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/medicare-balance" class="menu-link">Medicare Balance</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="javascript:;" class="menu-link">Members</a> <span class="submenu-toggle"></span> <ul class="submenu level-2"> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/find-provider" class="menu-link">Find a doctor</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/benefits" class="menu-link">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/pharmacy" class="menu-link">Pharmacy</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/behavioral-health" class="menu-link">Mental health resources</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/members/member-resources" class="menu-link">Member forms & resources</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/mgb-aco" class="menu-link">Mass General Brigham ACO</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/employers" class="menu-link">Employers</a> <span class="submenu-toggle"></span> <ul class="submenu level-2"> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/small-business" class="menu-link">Small businesses</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/small-groups" class="menu-link">Small groups</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/large-groups" class="menu-link">Large groups</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/brokers" class="menu-link">Brokers</a> </li> <li class="has-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers" class="menu-link">Providers</a> <span class="submenu-toggle"></span> <ul class="submenu level-2"> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/join" class="menu-link">Join the network</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/authorization-guidelines" class="menu-link">Authorization guidelines</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/claims" class="menu-link">Claims information</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/medical-policies" class="menu-link">Medical policies</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/pharmacy-guidelines" class="menu-link">Medical specialty and pharmacy policies</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/payment-guidelines" class="menu-link">Payment policies</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/care-management" class="menu-link">Care management</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/resources" class="menu-link">Provider resources</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/product-reference" class="menu-link">Product reference</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/admin-newsletter" class="menu-link">Provider admin newsletter</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us" class="menu-link">Meet us</a> <span class="submenu-toggle"></span> <ul class="submenu level-2"> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us/contact-us" class="menu-link">Contact us</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us/our-leadership" class="menu-link">Our leadership</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org" class="menu-link">Blog</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us/innovations" class="menu-link">Innovations from Mass General Brigham Health Plan</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us/in-our-community" class="menu-link">In our community</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us/quality" class="menu-link">Commitment to quality</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/careers" class="menu-link">Careers</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/newsroom" class="menu-link">Newsroom</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us/privacy-and-security" class="menu-link">Privacy and security</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us/transparency-regulations" class="menu-link">Transparency & regulations</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav></div> </div> <div class="mob_menu"> </div> <div class="des_srch"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_st_srch" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"> <div class="hs-search-field"> <div class="hs-search-field__bar"> <div class="block-title">Search</div> <form action="/hs-search-results"> <div class="frm_item"> <input type="text" class="hs-search-field__input" name="term" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search" placeholder="Search"> </div> <input type="hidden" name="type" value="SITE_PAGE"> <input type="hidden" name="type" value="BLOG_POST"> <input type="hidden" name="type" value="LISTING_PAGE"> <div class="frm_btn"> <button aria-label="Search"></button> </div> </form> </div> <ul class="hs-search-field__suggestions"></ul> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> </header> </div></div> <main id="main-content" class="body-container-wrapper"> <div class="body-container body-container--blog-post"> <div class="content-wrapper"> <div class="post-featured-image" style="background-image:url('https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1038717511.jpg');" aria-label="Featured image: woman holding up handful of cash - Read full post: Why your patients may be losing their health-care FSA funds"><img src="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1038717511.jpg" style="visibility: hidden; max-width: 100%;" aria-label="Featured image: woman holding up handful of cash - Read full post: Why your patients may be losing their health-care FSA funds"> </div> <article class="blog-post"> <h1 class="blog-post__title"><span id="hs_cos_wrapper_name" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="meta_field" data-hs-cos-type="text">Why your patients may be losing their health-care FSA funds</span></h1> <div class="blog-post__meta"> Published by <a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/author/stephanie-tyburski" rel="author"> Stephanie Tyburski </a> on <time datetime="2019-04-18 18:00:00" class="blog-post__timestamp"> April 18, 2019 </time> </div> <div class="blog-post__body"> <span id="hs_cos_wrapper_post_body" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="meta_field" data-hs-cos-type="rich_text"><p>According to marketplace.org, an estimated <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2018/12/14/your-money/how-maximize-value-out-fsas" rel="noopener" target="_blank">38 million Americans have health care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)</a>. FSAs allow patients to set aside pre-tax money to spend on qualifying medical expenses, such as copays, medications, and baby-care supplies. But it's use-it-or-lose it, and an average of 8% of FSA holders "lose it." </p> <p></p> <p><strong>How can patients save money with an FSA?</strong><br>FSAs offer a "two-fer:" contributors have a pool of money set aside for health-care costs, and they save on taxes. </p> <p>For example, someone with a $50,000 annual income and $1,000 per year of qualifying medical expenses can save about $300 on their taxes. So it's like getting $1,000 of medical care for only $700.</p> <p><strong>But do my patients have FSAs?<br></strong>Most likely, yes. According to the <a href="https://www.kff.org/health-costs/report/2018-employer-health-benefits-survey/" rel=" noopener">2018 Employer Health Benefits Survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation</a>, half of all firms with 25+ employees off er FSAs.  Among companies with 200+ employees, that number climbs to three-quarters.<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What's the right amount to contribute to an FSA?</strong><br>How much to contribute is an important question because any money that's not used by December 31 (some employers offer a grace period) is lost to contributors. On average, contributors leave behind an average of $172 per year. That's a lot of lip balm!</p> <p>Nerdwallet, a company specializing on personal financial advice, has an <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/right-amount-fsa/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">out-of-pocket medical cost calculator</a> to help people determine how much to contribute to their FSA each year. And <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinalamontagne/2015/10/19/how-much-should-i-put-in-my-fsa-this-year/#70301d8d26b8" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Forbes.com recommends using your deductible as a guide</a> for contributions — especially considering that 81% of health plans now have deductibles. </p> <p><strong>What qualifies for FSA funds?</strong><br>Many people avoid contributing to an FSA because of the use-it-or-lose-it rule. And many avoid contributing because spending the money can be so darn confusing.</p> <p>Your patients can reference the Federal Government's website for its own employees, which includes an <a href="https://www.fsafeds.com/explore/hcfsa/expenses" rel="noopener" target="_blank">interactive list of FSA-eligible expenses</a>. They should always check with their FSA administrator to confirm their purchases are eligible.  But they'll probably appreciate the reminder from you. </p> <p><strong>FSA quick reference list for providers</strong></p> <p>Below, we've included an at-a-glance list of some common products that your patients can spend their health care savings on. </p> <p>Qualifying medical expenses:</p> <ul> <li>Athletic Braces & Supports</li> <li>Bandages</li> <li>Blood Pressure Monitors</li> <li>Eye Glass & Lens Accessories</li> <li>First Aid Kits</li> <li>First Aid Treatments & Supplies</li> <li>Home Medical Equipment</li> <li>Heating Pads & Wraps</li> <li>Hot & Cold Packs</li> <li>Lip Balm</li> <li>Motion Sickness Aids</li> <li>Nasal Spray</li> <li>Orthopedic & Surgical Supports</li> <li>Shoe Insoles & Inserts</li> <li>Sunscreen</li> <li>Thermometers</li> <li>Vaporizers & Inhalers</li> <li>Allergy Medicine</li> <li>Anti-Fungal Treatments</li> <li>Anti-Itch Treatments</li> <li>Aspirin & Baby Aspirin</li> <li>Chest Rubs</li> <li>Cold Sore Treatments</li> <li>Cough Drops & Spray</li> <li>Cough, Cold & Flu Medicine</li> <li>Ear Drops & Wax Removers</li> <li>External Pain Relievers</li> <li>Eye Drops</li> <li>Feminine Personal Care Treatments</li> <li>Hemorrhoidal Treatments</li> <li>Laxatives</li> <li>Nasal Spray</li> <li>Oral Pain Remedies</li> <li>Pain Relieving Creams & Pads</li> <li>Pain Relievers</li> <li>Skin Treatments</li> <li>Sleep Aids</li> <li>Stomach & Digestive Aids</li> <li>Topical Skin Treatments</li> <li>Wart Removers</li> </ul> <p><strong>Qualifying OTC drugs (with prescription)</strong></p> <p>Of course, for most AllWays Health Partners commercial members, many of these are already covered by our OTC benefit. <a href="/hubfs/FLY_OTC_Commericial_1218.pdf" rel=" noopener">Download our OTC flyer to learn more.</a> </p> <ul> <li>Acne Treatments</li> <li>Allergy Medicine</li> <li>Antacids & Acid Controllers</li> <li>Anti-Fungal Treatments</li> <li>Anti-Itch Treatments</li> <li>Antiparisitic & Lice Treatments</li> <li>Aspirin & Baby Aspirin</li> <li>Chest Rubs</li> <li>Children's Cold & Allergy Medicine</li> <li>Children's Fever & Pain Relievers</li> <li>Children's Stomach & Digestive Aids</li> <li>Cold Sore Treatments</li> <li>Corn & Callus Removers</li> <li>Cough Drops & Spray</li> <li>Cough, Cold & Flu Medicine</li> <li>Diaper Rash Cream</li> <li>Ear Drops & Wax Removers</li> <li>External Pain Relievers</li> <li>Eye Drops</li> <li>Feminine Personal Care Treatments</li> <li>Hemorrhoidal Treatments</li> <li>Laxatives</li> <li>Nasal Spray</li> <li>Nicotine Gum & Patches</li> <li>Oral Pain Remedies</li> <li>Pain Relieving Creams & Pads</li> <li>Pain Relievers</li> <li>Skin Treatments</li> <li>Sleep Aids</li> <li>Stomach & Digestive Aids</li> <li>Topical Skin Treatments</li> <li>Wart Removers</li> </ul> <p> </p></span> </div> <div class="blog-post__tags"> <span>Tags:</span> <a class="blog-post__tag-link" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/tag/providers" rel="tag">Providers</a>, <a class="blog-post__tag-link" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/tag/benefits" rel="tag">Benefits</a>, <a class="blog-post__tag-link" href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/tag/physical-health-and-wellness" rel="tag">Physical health and wellness</a> </div> <div class="blog-post__links-container"> <div class="blog-post__links"> <a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org" class="blog-post__back-to-blog"><span id="hs_cos_wrapper_" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_icon" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="icon"><svg version="1.0" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 448 512" aria-hidden="true"><g id="long-arrow-alt-left1_layer"><path d="M134.059 296H436c6.627 0 12-5.373 12-12v-56c0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12H134.059v-46.059c0-21.382-25.851-32.09-40.971-16.971L7.029 239.029c-9.373 9.373-9.373 24.569 0 33.941l86.059 86.059c15.119 15.119 40.971 4.411 40.971-16.971V296z" /></g></svg></span>Back to Blog</a> </div> <div class="blog-post__sharing"> <span id="hs_cos_wrapper_" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_blog_social_sharing" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="blog_social_sharing"> <div class="hs-blog-social-share"> <ul class="hs-blog-social-share-list"> </ul> </div> </span> </div> </div> </article> </div> <section class="blog-related-posts"> <div class="content-wrapper"> <h2>Related Articles</h2> <div class="blog-related-posts__list"> <article class="blog-index__post blog-index__post--small" aria-label="Blog post summary: FSA vs. HRA vs. HSA comparison guide"> <div class="blog-index__post-inner-card"> <a class="blog-index__post-image blog-index__post-image--small" style="background-image: url('https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Images/022420_HSA_FSA_HRA.jpg')" ; href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/fsa-vs.-hra-vs.-hsa-comparison-guide" aria-label=" Featured image: Close up image of US dollars and an account balance sheet - Read full post: FSA vs. HRA vs. HSA comparison guide"> </a>  <div class="blog-index__post-content blog-index__post-content--small"> <h2 class="blog-related-posts__title"><a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/fsa-vs.-hra-vs.-hsa-comparison-guide">FSA vs. HRA vs. HSA comparison guide</a></h2> As health care costs and insurance premiums continue to rise, employers are always on the lookout... <div class="blog-post__meta-section"> <div class="blog-post__read-more"> <a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/fsa-vs.-hra-vs.-hsa-comparison-guide">Read More<span class="read-more__arrow"><span id="hs_cos_wrapper_" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_icon" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="icon"><svg version="1.0" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 448 512" aria-hidden="true"><g id="long-arrow-alt-right2_layer"><path d="M313.941 216H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v56c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h301.941v46.059c0 21.382 25.851 32.09 40.971 16.971l86.059-86.059c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941l-86.059-86.059c-15.119-15.119-40.971-4.411-40.971 16.971V216z" /></g></svg></span></span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="blog-index__post blog-index__post--small" aria-label="Blog post summary: 4 health tips to remember for the end of the year"> <div class="blog-index__post-inner-card"> <a class="blog-index__post-image blog-index__post-image--small" style="background-image: url('https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Images/1217_WinterTips.jpg')" ; href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/4-health-tips-to-remember-for-the-end-of-the-year" aria-label=" Featured image: 1217_WinterTips - Read full post: 4 health tips to remember for the end of the year"> </a>  <div class="blog-index__post-content blog-index__post-content--small"> <h2 class="blog-related-posts__title"><a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/4-health-tips-to-remember-for-the-end-of-the-year">4 health tips to remember for the end of the year</a></h2> When you’re in the middle of the holiday rush and planning for the new year, it’s easy to lose... <div class="blog-post__meta-section"> <div class="blog-post__read-more"> <a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/4-health-tips-to-remember-for-the-end-of-the-year">Read More<span class="read-more__arrow"><span id="hs_cos_wrapper_" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_icon" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="icon"><svg version="1.0" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 448 512" aria-hidden="true"><g id="long-arrow-alt-right3_layer"><path d="M313.941 216H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v56c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h301.941v46.059c0 21.382 25.851 32.09 40.971 16.971l86.059-86.059c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941l-86.059-86.059c-15.119-15.119-40.971-4.411-40.971 16.971V216z" /></g></svg></span></span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article class="blog-index__post blog-index__post--small" aria-label="Blog post summary: Insider News: Oct. 17, 2019"> <div class="blog-index__post-inner-card"> <a class="blog-index__post-image blog-index__post-image--small" style="background-image: url('https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Images/In%20Post%20Banner/Insider%20News%20Banners/iStock-1065782416.jpg')" ; href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/insider-news-oct.-17-2019" aria-label=" Featured image: iStock-1065782416 - Read full post: Insider News: Oct. 17, 2019"> </a>  <div class="blog-index__post-content blog-index__post-content--small"> <h2 class="blog-related-posts__title"><a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/insider-news-oct.-17-2019">Insider News: Oct. 17, 2019</a></h2> With open enrollment quickly approaching, many in the health insurance industry are already... <div class="blog-post__meta-section"> <div class="blog-post__read-more"> <a href="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/insider-news-oct.-17-2019">Read More<span class="read-more__arrow"><span id="hs_cos_wrapper_" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_icon" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="icon"><svg version="1.0" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 448 512" aria-hidden="true"><g id="long-arrow-alt-right4_layer"><path d="M313.941 216H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v56c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h301.941v46.059c0 21.382 25.851 32.09 40.971 16.971l86.059-86.059c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941l-86.059-86.059c-15.119-15.119-40.971-4.411-40.971 16.971V216z" /></g></svg></span></span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </section> </div> </main> <div data-global-resource-path="Mass_General_Brigham_August_2022/templates/partials/footers/mgbhp-footer.html"><footer class="footer"> <div id="back-to-top" class="back-to-top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <div class="region r-footer-middle"> <div class="region__content r-footer-middle__content"> <section id="block-contactinfo" class="contact-info"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_footer_logo" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"><div class="custom-logo"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamadvantage.org/"> <img src="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hubfs/Mass%20General%20Brigham%20Health%20Plan/Logos/MGB_Health_Plan_horiz_rgb_rev.svg" alt="MGB Health Plan"> </a> </div></div> </section> <div id="block-footernavigation" class="footer-nav"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_ftr_menu" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"> <nav aria-label="Main menu" class="navigation-primary"> <ul class="submenu level-1"> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/explore-plans" class="menu-link">Find a plan</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/find-provider" class="menu-link">Find a provider</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/pharmacy-2023" class="menu-link">Drug look-up</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/newsroom" class="menu-link">Newsroom</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us" class="menu-link">Meet us</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/careers" class="menu-link">Careers</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/meet-us/contact-us" class="menu-link">Contact us</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/interoperability" class="menu-link">Connect to third-party apps</a> </li> </ul> </nav></div> </div> <div class="footer-social"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_scl_links" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"><div class="scl_liks"> <ul class="menu"> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MGBHealthPlan/" target="_blank" title="Facebook"></a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mgbhealthplan/" target="_blank" title="Instagram"></a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/mgbhealthplan" target="_blank" title="Linkedin"></a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChkuvuY5gEoHRMhA3maf2cA" target="_blank" title="YouTube"></a> </li> </ul> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="r-footer-last"> <div class="region__content r-footer-last__content"> <section id="block-copyright" class="copyright"> <div class="field-wrapper"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_copyrgt" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module widget-type-rich_text" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"><span id="hs_cos_wrapper_copyrgt_" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="rich_text"><p>© 2024 Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<br>Mass General Brigham Health Plan includes Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Inc.<br>and Mass General Brigham Health Insurance Company</p></span></div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="copymenu"> <div id="hs_cos_wrapper_copy_menu" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_module" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget" data-hs-cos-type="module"> <nav aria-label="Main menu" class="navigation-primary"> <ul class="submenu level-1"> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/47250/index.html" class="menu-link">Report a compliance issue</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/nondiscrimination-notice" class="menu-link">Non-discrimination notice</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/nondiscrimination-notice-espanol" class="menu-link">Non-discrimination Spanish</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/privacy" class="menu-link">Disclaimer, privacy, and security</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://resources.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/sales/pdfs/Mass_General_Brigham_Health_Plan_Notice_of_Privacy_Practice_Flyer.pdf" class="menu-link">Notice of privacy practices</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/web-accessibility-statement" class="menu-link">Web Accessibility Statement</a> </li> <li class="no-submenu menu-item hs-skip-lang-url-rewrite"> <a href="https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/alternate-language-assistance" class="menu-link">Alternate language assistance</a> </li> </ul> </nav></div> </div> </div> </div> </footer></div> </div>  <script defer src="/hs/hsstatic/content-cwv-embed/static-1.1293/embed.js"></script> <script src="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hs-fs/hub/5977230/hub_generated/template_assets/82085669408/1699282166046/Mass_General_Brigham_August_2022/js/main.min.js"></script> <script> var hsVars = hsVars || {}; hsVars['language'] = 'en'; </script> <script src="/hs/hsstatic/cos-i18n/static-1.53/bundles/project.js"></script> <script src="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hs-fs/hub/5977230/hub_generated/module_assets/82085669386/1660631129110/module_82085669386_Menu_Section.min.js"></script> <script src="https://blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/hs-fs/hub/5977230/hub_generated/module_assets/82090546779/1660631027605/module_82090546779_Site_Search.min.js"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _hsq = _hsq || []; _hsq.push(["setContentType", "blog-post"]); _hsq.push(["setCanonicalUrl", "https:\/\/blog.massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org\/blog\/fsa-eligible-expenses"]); _hsq.push(["setPageId", "22692316166"]); _hsq.push(["setContentMetadata", { "contentPageId": 22692316166, "legacyPageId": "22692316166", "contentFolderId": null, "contentGroupId": 12354087613, "abTestId": null, "languageVariantId": 22692316166, "languageCode": "en", }]); </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="hs-script-loader" async defer src="/hs/scriptloader/5977230.js?businessUnitId=0"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var hsVars = { render_id: "e24199cd-8a07-4f46-944f-6d3167adb3c9", ticks: 1732518124831, page_id: 22692316166, content_group_id: 12354087613, portal_id: 5977230, app_hs_base_url: "https://app.hubspot.com", cp_hs_base_url: "https://cp.hubspot.com", language: "en", analytics_page_type: "blog-post", scp_content_type: "", analytics_page_id: "22692316166", category_id: 3, folder_id: 0, is_hubspot_user: false } </script> <script defer src="/hs/hsstatic/HubspotToolsMenu/static-1.354/js/index.js"></script> </body></html>

CINXE.COM

Why your patients may be losing their health-care FSA funds