Established by the U.S. government to provide employees with a tax-free method for paying out-of-pocket medical and health-related expenses, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) have increased in popularity over the past several years. While more and more people are using flex spending accounts, fewer and fewer seem to know the variety of items they can be used for.

At Bagwell Insurance Group, we have seen countless people unknowingly waste their flex spending account dollars because they were not aware of IRS approved expenses that the tax free dollars can be used for. In order to make sure that does not happen to you, here are ten great ways to use up your excess dollars before the end of year:

• Purchase Eyeglasses or Corrective Lenses: Since many healthcare plans do not cover trips to the eye doctor, purchasing glasses or contact lenses for yourself or family is a good way to use of flex dollars quickly. When filling out your claim, remember to include non-medical items such as contact solution as well.
• Stockpile Medications: Purchase any prescription refills you may need or any medication you need to buy in bulk. In addition, don’t forget that nonprescription medication and items such as sunscreen can also be purchased.
• Birth Control and Contraceptives: Your flex dollars cover the purchase of condoms, birth control pills, and any other forms of contraceptives you may need.
• Protective Sports Equipment: Depending on your insurance company, protective devices used in athletic activities such as mouth guards may be covered by flex spending dollars.
• Preventative Scans: Precautionary scans of the heart and other organs allow doctors to catch problems early. Using up flex dollars is a great way to make sure that your body is not suffering from any unforeseen problems.
• Visit the Dentist: Being able to use flex dollars to go to the dentist is a good way to maintain healthy gums and teeth throughout the year.
• Explore Alternative Medicines: Medical treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic visits are often covered and allow you to try new treatments without risking your own post tax dollars.
• Conquer Your Vices: Whether the vice is smoking, alcohol, or drug abuse, rehabilitation and smoking cessation program are covered.
• Professional Advice: Flex dollars cover psychotherapy sessions along with visits to a variety of counselors such as marriage or family.
• Clean Your Vents: If you have a legitimate medical reason, flex dollars can be used to clean out the vents in your home.

As you can see from the list above, there is no need for valuable flex spending dollars to expire worthless at the end of each year. Whether it’s a new pair of glasses or a trip to the acupuncturist, flex dollars are very versatile and cover a great deal of medical expenses. With that in mind, we hope that when the end of the year comes around, the only thing expiring worthless is your calendar.