Consumers are collectively at risk to forfeit $3 billion in unused FSA funds to the December 31 use-it-or-lose-it deadline; spending tips and November sales from FSA Store help consumers use, not lose, funds
DALLAS, Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The winter holiday season can be a happy time, as friends, family, and communities come together to celebrate, but all those celebrations can make it difficult to manage physical and mental health, maintain healthy habits, and avoid illness. In fact, nearly one-third of adults in America say their physical and mental health declines in the final months of the year. And for almost half of these individuals, financial stress is a primary contributor to this decline. Fortunately, tax-free flexible spending accounts (FSAs) can ease the strain of the holidays by allowing consumers to purchase eligible products and services that support good health, without chipping away at their disposable income. FSA Store®, the first and leading online store dedicated exclusively to selling FSA-eligible products and services, is sharing five ways FSA users can spend their remaining 2024 funds during the holiday season, and offering special savings during the month of November.
"As the holiday season kicks off, it's important that we take extra steps to protect our health and spend our dollars wisely, and tax-free FSA funds are a perfect way to achieve these goals," said Keri Kaiser, chief revenue officer for Health-E Commerce, parent brand to FSA Store and HSA Store®. "By using FSA funds to purchase everyday essentials or services that support physical and mental health at FSA Store, consumers can save money, enjoy time savings and convenience, and benefit from our FSA deadline resources and live customer support – all while sticking to their health goals."
Five FSA-eligible expenses that can support better health during the holidays:
1. FSA-eligible telehealth services. Now through December 31, save on select FSA-eligible telehealth services that can contribute to better health during the holidays and in the new year. Visit FSA Store to learn about special savings on weight loss medication, mental health support, optical products, foot care, and menopause support.
2. Over-the-counter headache and tension relief. In addition to online therapy services from BetterHelp, account holders can use tax-free funds to purchase products that relieve headaches, eye tension, and back and neck pain that can be triggered by stress or anxiety. Find products like Caring Mill™ by Aura Ease Migraine & Eye Reliever with Compression & Heat, CorneaCare Rest Self-Heating Eye Mask, Asutra Cozy Weighted Neck Wrap, Hot/Cold Therapy Relaxation Mask, and Sharper Image Calming Heat Massaging Weighted Heating Pad at FSA Store.
3. Drug-free pain relief products. Living with pain can contribute to poor mental health and limit our physical mobility, all of which can put a damper on holiday activities. Use FSA funds to purchase drug-free pain relief products like Bilt Labs custom orthotic insoles, the WTHN Acupressure Mat Set, WTHN Crystal Ear Seed Kit, WTNH Body Balance Magnets, Caring Mill Acupressure Pain Relief Bundle, Caring Mill Epsom Salt, and more.
4. Winter travel necessities. Whether you're going over the river and through the woods or jetting across the country, an FSA can help manage motion sickness and dehydration with products like Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix Pouches, Reliefband Premier for Nausea Relief, Dramamine Motion Sickness Relief All Day Chewable Tablets, and the Caring Mill™ Travel Heating Pad. And don't forget Adventure Medical Kits and Jase Medical emergency kits to ensure you're covered with personal medications and first aid essentials.
5. Virus preparedness and treatment products. If you come home with more than a full belly after holiday gatherings this year, use your FSA to purchase home diagnostic products like the Braun Sensian 7 Non-Contact 3-in-1 Thermometer and Flowflex COVID-19 & Flu A/B Home Test. Then treat your symptoms with FSA-eligible items like Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Daytime Soft Chews, DrKids Children's Pain & Fever Acetaminophen Soft Chews, Caring Mill™ Migraine Relief Caffeine Pain Reliever Coated Caplets, and AleveX Pain Relieving Lotion with Rollerball.
Special savings opportunities at FSAstore.com:
- Early Black Friday: From November 18 - 22, receive $40 off orders of $300 or more sitewide when you use code: EARLYBF. *Apply code at the checkout. Exclusions apply. See terms for details. Offer ends 11/23/24 at 5:59 a.m. ET.
- Black Friday: From November 26-30, save 50% on select items at FSA Store and HSA Store. Visit FSA Store for deals on products like CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser, LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops, Therabody RecoveryAir JetBoots, Zima Dental Pod and more. HSA shoppers can visit HSA Store to save on products like: Mighty Patch Invisible+ Acne Treatment Patches, Vitafusion Fiber Well Gummies, Caring Mill™ by Aura Wave Full-body Circulation Plate, and Caring Mill™ by Aura Ease Migraine & Eye Reliever with Compression & Heat.
What is the FSA deadline and why does it matter? The December 31 use-it-or-lose-it deadline is the date by which the majority of FSA users must spend remaining funds to avoid forfeiture (the loss of unused funds). Proprietary data from FSA Store indicates that nearly 70% of account holders have a December 31 deadline. Meanwhile, industry estimates show that FSA users forfeit an average of $3 billion each year by missing this deadline.
Important Deadline Reminders. In addition to understanding how FSA funds can be used, consumers should understand and remember these deadline facts in the coming weeks:
- While December 31 is the most common spending deadline for FSAs, this deadline can vary based on an organization's plan year. Account holders should log in to their FSA portal, if available, to verify their deadline, or check with their employer or FSA administrator.
- An employer may offer an FSA deadline extension, such as a partial rollover of unused funds; a grace period (2.5 months after your plan year end date; typically March 15); and/or a run-out period. These extensions are completely optional. Check on your FSA portal or with your employer, your benefits team, or FSA administrator to confirm availability of these options.
To help account holders avoid potential FSA forfeitures, FSA Store offers FSA deadline education, deadline spending tools, eligibility information, and 24/7/365 FSA-trained customer service support. Visit FSAstore.com to learn more and make the most of FSA funds before time runs out.
About Health-E Commerce
Health-E Commerce is the parent brand to FSA Store and HSA Store, online stores that serve the 70+ million consumers enrolled in pre-tax health and wellness accounts. The company also created Caring Mill™, a popular private-label line of health products through which a portion of every purchase is donated to the Children's Health Fund. Since 2010, the Health-E Commerce brands have led the direct-to-consumer e-commerce market for exclusively pre-tax health and wellness benefits. Health-E Commerce plays an essential role in expanding product eligibility for important new categories within the list of eligible medical expenses.
Media Contact
Barbara Tabor, FSA Store, 651-230-9192, [email protected], FSAStore.com
SOURCE FSA Store; FSA Store
Share this article