HR101 - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

If your employer offers an FSA program & you have any out-of-pocket costs, it would behoove you to learn more & enroll when you get the chance. 

This is a federally mandated, tax savings program & with the exception of medical spending limits, the rules are the same nationwide

I won't get into a lot of details now, but will answer any questions you have.

Here's some info on qualified & non-qualified expenses (please ignore the hypelinks as all the info is listed):

Qualified Expenses - FSA - Unreimbursed Medical

Medical - Qualified Expenses Doctor's fees and co-pays that do qualify for reimbursement Co-pays and other payments to doctors and healthcare providers qualify unless they are reimbursed by insurance: Doctor office co-pays Emergency room co-pays Out-patient surgery co-pays Inpatient admission co-pays Office visits Routine check ups Routine physicals and other non-diagnostic services or treatments. Psychologist and psychiatrist fees Obstetrics and fertility Chiropractor and podiatrist fees Orthodontist and dentist fees Periodontist and endodontist fees Physician and Osteopath fees Acupuncture fees Eye exams Christian Science practitioner's fees Radiology Surgical fees Lab fees Diagnostic fees X-rays and MRI Weight loss programs and fees pertaining to a specific disease Reconstructive surgery in connection with birth defects, disease, or accident. Doctor's fees that do not qualify for reimbursement Cosmetic surgery and procedures unless it is for reconstruction due to disease, birth defect, or accident. Dental bleaching Marriage counseling Weight loss programs for general health or appearance. Over-the-counter items, drugs, or medications that are not medically necessary, or are not prescribed by your physician or health practitioner. Health improvement programs and supplies that do qualify for reimbursement Health improvement programs that qualify unless they are reimbursed by insurance: Physical and speech therapy Weight-loss programs (for specific disease) Quit-smoking programs, patches, and gums Alcoholism and drug treatment Special schooling for a disabled child Body scans Reconstructive surgery associated with birth defect, disease, or accident. Home drug tests Cholesterol tests and monitors Home blood tests Gastric bypass surgery Health improvement programs and supplies that do not qualify for reimbursement Weight-loss programs for general health or appearance. Cosmetic surgery and procedures unless it is for reconstruction due to disease, birth defect, or accident. Dental bleaching Marriage counseling Over-the-counter items, drugs, or medications that are not medically necessary, or are not prescribed by your physician or health practitioner. Health related expenses and equipment that do qualify for reimbursement Generally, the following items require a doctor's prescription to qualify. These expenses qualify unless they are reimbursed by insurance. Humidifiers and vaporizers First aid bandages, gloves, and masks Hot and cold compress packs and wraps Oxygen Pill boxes Shower protection for casts, prostheses, etc. Therapeutic support gloves Elevated toilet seat Thermometers Special school for disabled child Artificial limbs and braces Arches and orthopedic shoes Wigs for hair loss caused by disease Shower bars and safety handles Hearing devices and batteries Crutches and canes Wheelchairs, walkers, and shower chairs Medical alert bracelet and fees Bedpans and ring cushions Travel to doctors or healthcare facilities Ambulance expenses Health related expenses and equipment that do not qualify for reimbursement Expenses and equipment that are not medically necessary or are not prescribed by your health practitioner. Weight-loss programs for general health or appearance. Prescription - Qualified Expenses Prescription and co-pays that do qualify for reimbursement Prescription medications unless they are reimbursed by insurance. Co-pays for prescription medications. Prescription and co-pays that do not qualify for reimbursement Prescriptions taken strictly for cosmetic purposes and are not for reconstruction due to disease, birth defect, or accident. Over-the-counter items, drugs, or medications that are not medically necessary, or are not prescribed by your physician or health practitioner. Over-the-Counter Medicines - Qualified Expenses Over-the-counter medicines that do qualify for reimbursement Over-the-counter items qualify unless they are reimbursed by insurance. Antiseptics Cold, Flu, Asthma, and Allergy Medications Diabetic supplies Ear/Eye Care Health Aids Pain Relief Personal Test Kits Skin Care Stomach Care Dual use items that require a letter from health practitioner to qualify Antiseptics Antiseptic wash or ointment for cuts or scrapes Antiseptic mouthwash Benzocaine swabs Boric Acid powder First aid wipes Hydrogen Peroxide Iodine tincture Rubbing Alcohol Sublimed Sulfur powder Cold, Flu, Asthma, and Allergy Medications Allergy medications Bronchodilator/expectorant tablets Bronchial asthma Inhalers Cold relief syrup, tablets, and drops Cough syrup, tablets, and drops Flu relief syrup, tables, and drops Medicated chest rub Nasal decongestant spray, drops, or inhaler Nasal strips to improve congestion Sinus and allergy nasal spray Homeopathic sinus medications Vapor patch cough suppressant Diabetes Diabetic lancets Diabetic supplies Diabetic test strips Glucose meters Glucose tablets Syringes Needles Ear/Eye Care Airplane ear protection Ear drops for swimmers Ear water-drying aid Ear wax removal drops Homeopathic earache tablets Contact lens solution Health Aids Antifungal treatments Denture adhesive Diuretics and water pills Hemorrhoid relief Lice control Medicated bandages Motion sickness tablets Respiratory stimulant ammonia Sleeping aids Pain Relief   Arthritis pain reliever Bunion and blister treatments Itch relief Orajel Pain relievers, aspirin and non-aspirin Throat pain medications Personal Test Kits Cholesterol tests Colorectal cancer screening tests Home drug tests Ovulation indicators Pregnancy tests Skin Care Acne medications Anti-itch lotion Bunion and blister treatments Cold sore and fever blister medications Corn and callus removal medications Diaper rash ointment Eczema cream Medicated bath products Wart removal medications Stomach Care   Acid reducing gum, liquid, and tablets Anti-Diarrhea medications Gas prevention tablets or drops Ipecac syrup Laxatives Pinworm treatment Upset stomach medications Dual use items that require a letter from health  practitioner to qualify Adhesive or elastic bandages Blood pressure meter Cold or hot compresses Eye drops Foot spa Gauze and tape Gloves and masks Herbs Let or arm braces Massagers Minerals Multivitamins Saline nose drops Special supplements Special teeth cleaning system Thermometers Vitamins Incontinence supplies Over-the-counter medicines that do not qualify for reimbursement Aromatherapy Baby bottles and cups Baby oil Baby wipes Breast enhancement system Cosmetics Cotton swabs Dental floss Deodorants Feminine care fragrances Hair regrowth Low "carb" foods Low calorie foods Oral care Petroleum jelly Shampoo and conditioner Skin care Spa salts Sun tanning products Tooth brushes Over-the-counter items, drugs, or medications that are not medically necessary, or are not prescribed by your physician or health practitioner.   Dental - Qualified Expenses Dental services and supplies Dental services and supplies qualify unless they are reimbursed by insurance: Co-payments Dental fillings, crowns, and bridges Deductibles Dentures Diagnostic fees Oral surgery Orthodontist and dentist fees Periodontist and endodontist fees Prescribed medicines Routine checkups Dental sealants Surgical fees X-rays Dental services and supplies that do not qualify Cosmetic surgery and procedures unless it is for reconstruction due to disease, birth defect or accident. Dental bleaching. Over-the-counter items, drugs, or medications that are not medically necessary, or are not prescribed by your physician or health practitioner. Vision - Qualified Expenses Vision services and supplies that do qualify for reimbursement Vision services and supplies qualify unless they are reimbursed by insurance. Vision co-pays Office visits and routine eye exams Prescribed sunglasses and eyeglasses Contact lenses, solutions, and supplies Corrective eye surgery LASIK surgery Cataract surgery Optometrist fees Physician and ophthalmologist fees Surgical fees and x-rays Vision services and supplies that do not qualify for reimbursement Cosmetic surgery and procedures unless it is for reconstruction due to disease, birth defect, or accident. Over-the-counter items, drugs, or medications that are not medically necessary, or are not prescribed by your physician or health practitioner. Limitation on Qualified Expenses Your plan may restrict the reimbursement of one or more of these items. Check with your plan administrator. The total amount of all qualified expenses paid may not exceed the maximum allowed under the plan. Please review your Summary Plan Description or contact your plan administrator for more information.