Glasses: HSA Eligibility

Glasses: eligible with a Health Savings Account (HSA)

Glasses are eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement arrangements (HRA) and with most limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA). If prescription eye glasses, a prescription will be required for reimbursement. Reading glasses do not require a prescription. Glasses are not eligible for reimbursement with dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA).

Sunglasses are only eligible if prescribed.

Eligible expenses for Limited FSAs can vary. To find out exactly what your Limited FSA covers, contact your FSA administrator.

What are glasses?

Prescription eyewear to correct vision problems are products that are designed to treat a specific medical condition, and therefore are eligible for reimbursement under the vast majority of consumer spending accounts. These products include:

Prescription eyeglasses
Contact lenses
Prescription sunglasses
Co-payments and deductibles
Routine eye exams

Reading Glasses vs. Prescription glasses

Depending on the type of vision issue that a patient is diagnosed with, be it nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or others, they will typically have to choose between two types of corrective eyewear: reading and prescription glasses.

Reading glasses are designed to treat presbyopia, which is a condition that most adults experience once they reach the age of 35 to 45. Presbyopia is caused by a decrease elasticity in the eye's lens that makes objects difficult to see from close range. These glasses come in generic strengths to improve the wearer's vision when reading. Standard reading glasses are only designed to view objects at close range, which is why bifocals are commonly used to shift between short range and distance vision. Reading glasses are not designed to correct vision problems, and unlike prescription glasses, are not designed for full-time use (AllAboutVision.com).

Prescription glasses are specially designed for a patient's specific vision problem, and can be used to correct just about any condition. Unlike reading glasses that can be purchased over-the-counter, patients must consult an eye doctor to obtain an accurate prescription that will work to alleviate his/her eyesight condition. Prescription glasses are more expensive than reading glasses, but they are typically made with higher quality materials, lenses and frames, as well as offering great variety in style and enhanced durability (WebMD).