What is a limited purpose FSA?

Asked by: Christina Stroman IV  |  Last update: December 1, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (33 votes)

A limited purpose FSA or LPFSA is a type of FSA. As the name implies, the limited purpose FSA is more restricted in its scope: Its funds can only be used for expenses related to dental or vision care.

What is the difference between a limited purpose FSA and a FSA?

The difference between a limited-purpose FSA and a FSA is what they cover. A LPFSA can typically only cover qualified vision and dental expenses. On the flip side, health FSAs can cover a variety of medical expenses allowed by the IRS, such as acupuncture, birth control pills, and monthly menstrual supplies.

What does limited purpose FSA cover?

The LPFSA is used to pay for eligible vision and dental expenses that are not covered by your insurance. It can also be used to pay for eligible post-deductible medical expenses. Pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income.

How does a limited purpose FSA work?

The Limited Purpose FSA allows you to set aside money from your paycheck on a pretax basis to pay for out-of-pocket dental and vision costs (See eligible expenses).

Should I enroll in limited purpose FSA?

All told, limited purpose FSAs give you more options for reaping tax savings in the course of setting money aside for healthcare. But these accounts really do live up to their name in that they limit you a lot. Before you open one, make sure you're likely to need to use up your balance within a single plan year.

FSA Limited Purpose

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How much should I put in my limited FSA?

For example, let's say your high-deductible health insurance plan has a deductible of $3,000, and your projected medical expenses are $3,500. If so, you might want to contribute an additional $500 to your LPFSA (in addition to the vision and dental expenses and any cushion you already calculated).

Can you use limited purpose FSA for Invisalign?

Can I use FSA my to pay for Invisalign? Invisalign orthodontics are eligible with a general medical flexible spending account (FSA), as well as a limited care flexible spending account (LCFSA). Orthodontic expenditures, as well as orthodontic accessories like wax and rubber bands, are FSA eligible expenses.

What happens to unused FSA funds?

For employees, the main downside to an FSA is the use-it-or-lose-it rule. If the employee fails to incur enough qualified expenses to drain his or her FSA each year, any leftover balance generally reverts back to the employer.

Can you convert an FSA to a limited purpose FSA?

If you currently contribute to a Health Care FSA, but will be contributing to an Health Savings Account (HSA) in the new plan year, your Health Care FSA will automatically be converted to a Limited Purpose FSA for the new plan year.

Can I use limited FSA for sunglasses?

Prescription sunglasses are eligible for flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA).

Can I pay for braces with FSA?

The answer is yes. In most cases, you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for any part of your orthodontic treatment that isn't covered by your dental insurance or any other plan.

Can I use FSA for dental?

You can use funds in your FSA to pay for certain medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse if you're married, and your dependents. You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums.

Does FSA cover teeth whitening?

Key Takeaways. Funds from a flexible spending account (FSA) cannot be used for teeth whitening expenses. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) specifically excludes various medical expenses spent on unnecessary cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, in IRS Publication 502.

What is the limited purpose FSA rollover for 2023?

What happens to my Limited Purpose Health Care FSA funds at the end of the calendar year? Similar to the standard GPHC FSA, you can carryover up to $610 into the next plan year. Any amount over that is forfeited after the run-out period allowing you to submit eligible claims for plan year 2023 ends on March 31, 2024.

Can I use limited purpose FSA for dependents?

LP-FSAs can cover individuals, spouses, and eligible dependents. Unlike a traditional FSA — which can help pay for a variety of medical costs, including dental and vision — an LP-FSA is intended for just dental and vision care expenses.

Can I switch from an FSA to an HSA?

FSA to HSA

Under IRS rules, you cannot actively enroll in and contribute to a General-Purpose FSA account and an HSA account simultaneously. Because of that, when switching from an FSA to an HSA it's best to make a “clean break” by spending down your FSA balance to $0 before the HSA plan year begins.

Can you cash out an FSA account?

Even if you're no longer eligible to make contributions, you can still withdraw the money tax-free as long as it's for qualified costs. If you withdraw funds before age 65 and use them for nonqualified expenses, you'll be subject to a 20% penalty.

Can I cash out FSA funds?

Unfortunately, FSA cards cannot be used to withdraw FSA funds from an ATM. These cards can only be used on qualifying medical products and services.

Do you lose FSA money if you quit?

What happens to an FSA if you leave a job? Any unused money in your flexible spending account (FSA) goes back to your employer after you quit or lose a job unless you are able to continue your FSA via COBRA continuation.

Can I use limited FSA for toothpaste?

Toothpaste: FSA Eligibility

Toothpaste is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Can I use limited FSA for toothbrush?

General health items such as toothbrushes are not eligible for reimbursement from a health FSA because they would be used even if there is no recommendation from a dentist. Expenses are eligible for reimbursement based on the date of service, not the date of payment or the date the bill is received.

Does limited purpose FSA cover dental implants?

Typically dental implants are eligible for reimbursement with an FSA, a Health Savings Account (HSA), a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), or a Limited Care Flexible Spending Account (LCFSA). If you have any of these things under your health insurance umbrella, then you will likely be reimbursed for your care.

How do I maximize my FSA benefit?

5 tricks to maximize your FSA
  1. #1 Take advantage of your “day-one” available balance. ...
  2. #2 Save even more when your spouse contributes to their own Flexible Spending Account. ...
  3. #3 Use your healthcare FSA to pay for your spouse and dependents too. ...
  4. #4 Pay for eligible dental and vision expenses.

Does limited purpose FSA cover orthodontics?

In most cases, yes, you can use your HSA or FSA for eligible orthodontic treatment. Only the portion of your orthodontic payments(s) not paid by your dental insurance or any other plan may be considered an eligible expense.