A Flexible Spending Account (also known as a flexible spending arrangement) is a special account you put money into that you use to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs.

You don't pay taxes on this money, so you'll save an amount equal to the taxes you would have paid on the money you set aside.
Employers may make contributions to your FSA but aren't required to.

• For details about your company's FSA, including how to sign up, ask your employer.

To use your FSA, simply submit a claim to the FSA (through your employer) with proof of the medical expense and a statement that it has not been covered by your plan. You will then receive reimbursement for your costs. Ask your employer about how to use your specific FSA.

FSAs are limited to $3,050 per year per employer in 2023. If you're married, your spouse can add up to $3,050 in an FSA with their employer, too.

You can use funds in your FSA to pay for certain medical and dental expenses for yourself, your spouse and your dependents.

• You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles & copayments but not insurance premiums.
• You can spend FSA funds on prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines with a doctor's prescription. Reimbursements for insulin are allowed without a prescription.
• FSAs may also be used to cover costs of medical equipment like crutches, supplies like bandages and diagnostic devices like blood sugar test kits.
• If you're enrolled in an HSA, you may only use a Limited Purpose FSA for dental or vision expenses.

Yes, FSAs and HSAs can be used online and in stores. When shopping in store, your basket will be divided into two buckets: FSA/HSA and non-FSA/HSA. You will be able to pay for your FSA or HSA items with an FSA/HSA card. Then, you can pay for the non-FSA/HSA items separately.

When shopping in store or online, you can use an FSA or HSA debit card supplied by your health insurer to purchase eligible items. The total amount will be automatically deducted from your account. You can also save, email or print out and submit your purchase confirmation page or receipt to your FSA or HSA account administrator for reimbursement.

For additional information about Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts, please contact your healthcare plan administrator.

Helpful resources

FSA: https://www.healthcare.gov/have-job-based-coverage/flexible-spending-accounts/Opens in a new tab

HSA: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/health-savings-account-hsa/Opens in a new tab

IRS: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969.pdfOpens pdf in a new tab

A Health Savings Account is a type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. By using untaxed dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and some other expenses, you may be able to lower your overall healthcare costs. Generally, HSA funds may not be used to pay for premiums.

While you can use the funds in an HSA at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses, you may contribute to an HSA only if you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). This generally is a health plan (including a Marketplace plan) that only covers preventive services before the deductible.

At the age of 65, you can begin taking distributions from your HSA account for any reason without paying a penalty. If you use the money to pay for a qualified medical expense, you don't have to pay taxes on the withdrawal. This money is usually taxable when withdrawn and used for other types of expenses. At age 55, you may contribute an additional $1,000 each year into your HSA. For 2023, you can contribute up to $3,850 if you have self-only coverage or up to $7,750 for family coverage.

Some health insurance companies offer HSAs for their HDHPs. Check with your company. You can also open an HSA through some banks and other financial institutions.

Check with your plan provider regarding which items are eligible for FSA and HSA. You can typically use funds in your FSA or HSA account to cover the costs of a number of products Walgreens offers, including:

• See full list of eligible products

FSA- and HSA-eligible products such as contact lenses, first aid supplies and sun care, can be paid for in store or online with your FSA or HSA card. With the passing of the 2020 CARES Act, many new items and categories are now eligible without a prescription, including cough and cold, allergy and sinus and more. Contact your FSA administrator for more information.