Can I use my HSA card for reading glasses?

Asked by: Zaria Flatley  |  Last update: November 25, 2025
Score: 5/5 (6 votes)

Overall, reading glasses are eligible for FSA/HSA coverage, much like all your other eyewear, including prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescription sunglasses, eye exam copays, and deductibles.

Are reading glasses covered under HSA?

Both FSAs and HSAs are there to help you save for necessary medical expenses. Reading glasses—even over-the-counter reading glasses—qualify as medical expenses under most FSA and HSA plans.

Are reading glasses OTC approved?

OTC reading glasses don't require a prescription from your optometrist. Instead, they have different levels of magnification. Most are between +0.50 and +5.00.

Can I use my HSA card for vision?

Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) provide tax advantages that can help you pay for common vision and eye care costs your insurance may not cover. Eligible vision expenses include eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses.

Are reading glasses a medical expense?

The money spent on reading or prescription eyeglasses can be considered a tax-deductible medical expense. By categorizing glasses under "medical expenses" and itemizing deductions on form 104, Schedule A, you may be able to lower your tax burden.

Can You Use HSA/FSA Funds on Prescription Eyewear? | SportRx

42 related questions found

Can I claim my reading glasses?

Glasses & Contacts

Unfortunately, you can't claim tax back for routine eye care, such as vision tests or buying glasses or contact lenses. However, the good news is if you pay PRSI, you can get the cost of a sight test covered through the Treatment Benefit Scheme.

Does insurance pay for reading glasses?

Generally, health insurance typically does not cover the costs of reading glasses considered as simple visual aids. However, there are exceptions and individual regulations that can vary from one health insurance provider to another.

Can HSA pay for gym membership?

Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.

What can I use my HSA for?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for:
  • Coinsurance. Coinsurance. ...
  • Copayments. Copayment. ...
  • Deductibles. Deductible. ...
  • Qualified medical expenses (includes some dental, drug, and vision expenses) – Find an expenses list on IRS.gov.

Are tampons HSA-eligible?

With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”

Are reading glasses considered a medical device?

As mentioned above, sunglasses and reading glasses are considered by the FDA to be Class 1 medical devices, requiring no FDA pre-market approval. This exemption, however, extends only to claims of use and performance previously authorized by the FDA.

Is it OK to use Dollar Store reading glasses?

"Reading glasses from a drugstore are in fact perfectly safe,” says ophthalmologist Michelle Andreoli, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, who notes that over-the-counter reading glasses, including low-cost dollar store options, can help you focus up close and will not damage your ...

Why are reading glasses not prescription?

In other words, if you have myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, a pair of prescription glasses will correct those vision issues by using specialized lenses that redirect light to the front of your retina. It's impossible for reading glasses to do this since they only provide magnification.

What is HSA glasses?

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) are tax-advantaged accounts that allow you to save money for qualified health expenses, including eyewear. These accounts can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for prescription glasses and contact lenses.

Can I use HSA for dental?

Your HSA also covers expenses for standard dental cleanings and dental check-ups. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these procedures may have a co-payment, so it's important that you check with your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what you'll have to pay out of pocket.

Can I use my HSA at LensCrafters?

Buying with insurance

Paying with vision insurance and FSA/HSA benefits offers flexibility to buy prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and book eye exams. Log in to automatically access your in-network insurance benefits or if out-of-network, we have reimbursement forms you can submit to your carrier.

Can I use HSA for glasses?

Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses. (FSAs and HSAs can be used for many other vision- and eye health-related expenses, too, but we'll discuss that more in a bit.)

What can I not spend HSA on?

For example, nutritional supplements that aren't prescribed by your doctor aren't covered. Health club memberships and lactose intolerance medications typically aren't covered either. Here are some examples of non-qualified HSA expenses: Babysitting or child care (a dependent care FSA can help with child care)

What is the downside of an HSA?

Drawbacks of HSAs include tax penalties for nonmedical expenses before age 65, and contributions made to the HSA within six months of applying for Social Security benefits may be subject to penalties. HSAs have fewer limitations and more tax advantages than flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

Is an Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.

Can I use my HSA for vitamins?

Generally, you can't use your HSA to pay for expenses that don't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. Nutritional supplements and weight loss programs not prescribed by a physician are examples of expenses that would not be covered by your HSA.

How to get free eyeglasses?

Some clubs may also provide eyeglasses. New Eyes provides prescription eyeglasses to children and adults who can't afford them. A social worker or someone at a community health center may be able help you apply. Mission Cataract USA offers free cataract surgery to people of all ages who can't afford it.

Are reading glasses deductible?

Luckily, there are many little-known deductions and exemptions that you can take advantage of. Here's one of them: prescription eyeglasses. You may be surprised to learn that the money you spend on reading or prescription eyeglasses are tax deductible.

Do you get a prescription for reading glasses?

Your eye health care provider may recommend that you get prescription reading glasses instead of OTC readers. Whereas OTC readers make things larger, prescription glasses address specific problems with your vision and correct them.