HSA/FSA
Shades & Savings: Can You Buy Sunglasses With Your HSA/FSA?
Protect your eyes — and your wallet — with this HSA/FSA guide to sunglasses.
May 21, 2024
Sam O'Keefe
Co-founder & CEO of Flex
Overview
Overview
Overview
Overview
We all know the importance of slathering on sunscreen to protect our skin against UV light — but did you know those rays can damage your eyes too?
Too much UV exposure can lead to medical issues such as cataracts and cancer, which makes sunglasses an important — and fashionable — first line of defense.
More importantly, you can save money by using your health savings account. On average, consumers save 30 to 40% percent on purchases they make with their HSA or FSA because they are tax-advantaged. That’s one way to safeguard your vision without breaking the bank on those 1,000% mark-ups!
In this guide, we discuss what to look for in a quality pair and how to pay for sunglasses with your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
What We’ll Cover About Buying Sunglasses With Your HSA/FSA
Why should you consider wearing sunglasses?
The (hidden) health benefits of sunglasses
What to look for in a pair of polarized sunglasses
Can you buy sunglasses with your HSA/FSA?
What other vision-related expenses are covered under HSA and FSA?
How to use your FSA or HSA to buy sunglasses
Do you need a letter of medical necessity to pay for sunglasses with your HSA/FSA?
How Flex can help you buy sunglasses with your HSA or FSA
Why Should You Consider Wearing Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are more than a fashion statement, they're crucial for protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
But not just any sunglasses will do. When shopping for shades, choose a pair with polarized lenses and UV protection.
Polarization helps reduce glare and improves visual comfort, especially in bright sunlight or reflective environments. However, polarization on its own does not protect against UV light!
For UV protection, you’ll want to look for sunglasses rated with UV400 protection. This means that they block ~99% of UVA and UVB radiation (essentially, the full ultraviolet spectrum).
UVA and UVB light in particular can penetrate the eyes, causing damage over time.
The potential harm of UV exposure
Exposure to UV radiation can lead to various eye problems:
Cataracts: A form of eye damage that reduces the transparency of the lens — typically in the form of cloudiness — and can eventually lead to blindness.
Photokeratitis: Essentially sunburn of the cornea as a result of too much UV exposure.
Macular degeneration: A loss of central vision that is typically age-related, but can be exacerbated by UV exposure.
Pterygium: Sometimes called “surfer’s eye”, it is a tissue growth that grows over the eye and can block vision and is typically the result of longterm UV exposure and irritation.
Eye cancer: The skin around the eye is some of the thinnest on the body and particularly susceptible to UV radiation.
By investing in high-quality sunglasses — which offer 99 to 100 percent UV protection — you can significantly reduce the risk of these conditions and support long-term eye health.
The (hidden) health benefits of sunglasses
Sure they shield your eyes from UV rays, but did you know that sunglasses offer other health benefits?
First, they can reduce glare, eye strain, and fatigue, especially when driving (think of all that reflected light) or when spending a lot of time outdoors. Further, sunglasses can help prevent wrinkles and skin cancer around the eyes by shielding the delicate skin from sun damage. Lastly, they help improve visual clarity and enhance contrast, which is important if you’re out, say, hiking or jogging on a bright day.
With so many advantages, it's clear that a good pair of sun specs is an important investment in your health.
Can You Buy Sunglasses with Your HSA/FSA?
Here’s the best part: you can use your HSA or FSA to purchase prescription sunglasses!
The caveat is that they must be corrective lenses.
What about non-prescription sunglasses?
Sadly, non-prescription glasses are generally not eligible for reimbursement unless recommended by a doctor to address a specific medical condition, such as light sensitivity or post-op care. This means that you cannot buy a pair of sunglasses with your HSA/FSA for purely cosmetic or everyday wear.
If you want to try and get reimbursed with your HSA or FSA for non-prescription eyewear, you’ll need to first consult with your doctor, see if they are recommended to address a specific medical condition, and get a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN).
Does this also apply to polarized lenses for other activities, like golf, skiing, or water sports?
Whether you're hitting the links, shredding some slopes, or carving waves, polarized sunglasses are essential for improving your ability to see in high-glare environments. The good news is that your HSA or FSA can subsidize prescription sunglasses for any purpose, including sports!
If you work outside, polarized safety goggles or glasses may be eligible for reimbursement. Again, you’ll need to consult with a qualified eye care professional to establish medical necessity.
Do you like to get after it outdoors? We recommend our HSA/FSA-approved partner, RIA Eyewear.
Partner Spotlight: RIA Eyewear’s Stylish Shades for Sport Performance
Whether you’ve recently picked up the paddle or are gearing up for another golf season, RIA Eyewear is the premier provider of sunglasses for racquet and club sports such as pickleball, squash, tennis, and golf.
Founded by a two-time U.S. Squash national champion, their specialty eyewear helps enhance your vision according to the conditions. For tennis and pickleball, their sunglasses enhance the contrast of the ball against the court, while their golf line maintains clarity in a range of light conditions. All of their glasses maintain depth perception while providing full UVA/B protection, bundled up in impact-resistant polycarbonate.
In other words, RIA Eyewear helps you play at your peak all while safeguarding your eyes.
What Other Vision-Related Expenses Are Covered Under Your HSA or FSA?
In addition to prescription sunglasses, your HSA or FSA covers many other vision expenses. Here’s a short list:
Prescription eyeglasses: Whether you need single-vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses, your HSA or FSA can help cover the cost of prescription eyeglasses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses: Reading glasses available without a prescription at drugstores or retail outlets are eligible for reimbursement with your HSA or FSA funds.
Contact lenses: From daily disposables to extended-wear lenses, contact lenses prescribed by a qualified eye care professional are typically eligible for reimbursement with your HSA or FSA accounts.
Lens coatings and treatments: Enhance the performance and durability of your eyewear with lens coatings and treatments like anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and UV coatings, all of which are typically eligible for reimbursement.
Eye exams: Routine eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision and detecting any underlying eye conditions. Your HSA or FSA can help cover the cost of comprehensive eye exams performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Eye surgery: Certain vision correction procedures, such as LASIK or PRK surgery, are considered HSA or FSA eligible.
These benefits can offset the cost of routine eye care and ensure you maintain optimal vision health throughout the year.
What’s not eligible
Apart from non-prescription sunglasses, here are some other eyewear and eye care items usually not applicable for HSA/FSA reimbursement:
Blue light glasses: Blue light blocking glasses, also known as computer glasses or gaming glasses, are designed to reduce eye strain and digital eye fatigue by filtering out blue light emitted from electronic devices. Unfortunately, regulations have shifted over the years, and currently non-prescription blue light blocking glasses are not considered a qualified medical expense by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Fashion eyewear: Eyeglasses or sunglasses purchased for purely cosmetic reasons, such as to enhance personal style or make a fashion statement, are not considered eligible medical expenses and cannot be reimbursed through your HSA or FSA.
How to Use Your FSA or HSA to Buy Sunglasses
To use your FSA or HSA for sunglasses, follow these 5 simple steps:
Obtain a prescription from your eye care provider if necessary.
Choose a reputable eyewear retailer that accepts FSA/HSA payments.
Select a pair of sunglasses that meet your prescription needs and budget.
Pay for your purchase using your FSA or HSA card or submit a reimbursement claim with your receipt.
Brag to your friends about how much you saved on your new shades!
Do You Need a Letter of Medical Necessity(LOMN) to Pay for Sunglasses With Your FSA/HSA?
If you have a prescription, a LOMN is not needed. However, the prescription has to be valid and issued by a qualified eye care professional.
On the other hand, if you need specialized sunglasses for specific activities, such as sports or outdoor work, and your doctor deems them medically necessary, a LOMN will be required to reimburse the expense.
Is there an FSA or HSA glasses limit?
There isn't a specific limit imposed by the IRS on the number of pairs of prescription glasses covered by HSAs or FSAs.
How Flex Can Help You Buy Sunglasses with Your HSA/FSA
To use your HSA or FSA to buy sunglasses, you have two options:
With a prescription: If you’re buying from an online brand, they may not be able to accept your payment (you’ll know because your HSA or FSA debit card will be declined). However, if a company has partnered with Flex, you'll see a "checkout with Flex" option on the payment page. Pay for the product or service with your HSA or FSA card and checkout as usual. Flex will substantiate the purchase automatically.
Just don’t forget to save your receipts, you may need them for documentation purposes.
With a LOMN: Alternatively, if you need a pair of specialized sunglasses but don’t have a prescription, you can talk with your doctor to obtain a Letter of Medical Necessity. Traditionally, the process of getting a LOMN can be tedious and time-consuming. However, if the company works with us, like RIA Eyewear, getting one is a simple part of the checkout flow. Best yet, you can use your HSA or FSA debit card, so no need for reimbursement
Flex really does make the HSA and FSA purchase process simpler, check out more of our products at the Flex Shop.
You Can Buy Your Dream Sunglasses With HSA/FSA, So What Are You Waiting For?
Whether you're hitting the links or simply soaking up the sun, don't let the cost of quality sunglasses deter you from protecting your peepers.
If you’ve got your sight set on some stylish shades, maximize your health care savings, and see the world with clarity and confidence thanks to your HSA or FSA.
We all know the importance of slathering on sunscreen to protect our skin against UV light — but did you know those rays can damage your eyes too?
Too much UV exposure can lead to medical issues such as cataracts and cancer, which makes sunglasses an important — and fashionable — first line of defense.
More importantly, you can save money by using your health savings account. On average, consumers save 30 to 40% percent on purchases they make with their HSA or FSA because they are tax-advantaged. That’s one way to safeguard your vision without breaking the bank on those 1,000% mark-ups!
In this guide, we discuss what to look for in a quality pair and how to pay for sunglasses with your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
What We’ll Cover About Buying Sunglasses With Your HSA/FSA
Why should you consider wearing sunglasses?
The (hidden) health benefits of sunglasses
What to look for in a pair of polarized sunglasses
Can you buy sunglasses with your HSA/FSA?
What other vision-related expenses are covered under HSA and FSA?
How to use your FSA or HSA to buy sunglasses
Do you need a letter of medical necessity to pay for sunglasses with your HSA/FSA?
How Flex can help you buy sunglasses with your HSA or FSA
Why Should You Consider Wearing Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are more than a fashion statement, they're crucial for protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
But not just any sunglasses will do. When shopping for shades, choose a pair with polarized lenses and UV protection.
Polarization helps reduce glare and improves visual comfort, especially in bright sunlight or reflective environments. However, polarization on its own does not protect against UV light!
For UV protection, you’ll want to look for sunglasses rated with UV400 protection. This means that they block ~99% of UVA and UVB radiation (essentially, the full ultraviolet spectrum).
UVA and UVB light in particular can penetrate the eyes, causing damage over time.
The potential harm of UV exposure
Exposure to UV radiation can lead to various eye problems:
Cataracts: A form of eye damage that reduces the transparency of the lens — typically in the form of cloudiness — and can eventually lead to blindness.
Photokeratitis: Essentially sunburn of the cornea as a result of too much UV exposure.
Macular degeneration: A loss of central vision that is typically age-related, but can be exacerbated by UV exposure.
Pterygium: Sometimes called “surfer’s eye”, it is a tissue growth that grows over the eye and can block vision and is typically the result of longterm UV exposure and irritation.
Eye cancer: The skin around the eye is some of the thinnest on the body and particularly susceptible to UV radiation.
By investing in high-quality sunglasses — which offer 99 to 100 percent UV protection — you can significantly reduce the risk of these conditions and support long-term eye health.
The (hidden) health benefits of sunglasses
Sure they shield your eyes from UV rays, but did you know that sunglasses offer other health benefits?
First, they can reduce glare, eye strain, and fatigue, especially when driving (think of all that reflected light) or when spending a lot of time outdoors. Further, sunglasses can help prevent wrinkles and skin cancer around the eyes by shielding the delicate skin from sun damage. Lastly, they help improve visual clarity and enhance contrast, which is important if you’re out, say, hiking or jogging on a bright day.
With so many advantages, it's clear that a good pair of sun specs is an important investment in your health.
Can You Buy Sunglasses with Your HSA/FSA?
Here’s the best part: you can use your HSA or FSA to purchase prescription sunglasses!
The caveat is that they must be corrective lenses.
What about non-prescription sunglasses?
Sadly, non-prescription glasses are generally not eligible for reimbursement unless recommended by a doctor to address a specific medical condition, such as light sensitivity or post-op care. This means that you cannot buy a pair of sunglasses with your HSA/FSA for purely cosmetic or everyday wear.
If you want to try and get reimbursed with your HSA or FSA for non-prescription eyewear, you’ll need to first consult with your doctor, see if they are recommended to address a specific medical condition, and get a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN).
Does this also apply to polarized lenses for other activities, like golf, skiing, or water sports?
Whether you're hitting the links, shredding some slopes, or carving waves, polarized sunglasses are essential for improving your ability to see in high-glare environments. The good news is that your HSA or FSA can subsidize prescription sunglasses for any purpose, including sports!
If you work outside, polarized safety goggles or glasses may be eligible for reimbursement. Again, you’ll need to consult with a qualified eye care professional to establish medical necessity.
Do you like to get after it outdoors? We recommend our HSA/FSA-approved partner, RIA Eyewear.
Partner Spotlight: RIA Eyewear’s Stylish Shades for Sport Performance
Whether you’ve recently picked up the paddle or are gearing up for another golf season, RIA Eyewear is the premier provider of sunglasses for racquet and club sports such as pickleball, squash, tennis, and golf.
Founded by a two-time U.S. Squash national champion, their specialty eyewear helps enhance your vision according to the conditions. For tennis and pickleball, their sunglasses enhance the contrast of the ball against the court, while their golf line maintains clarity in a range of light conditions. All of their glasses maintain depth perception while providing full UVA/B protection, bundled up in impact-resistant polycarbonate.
In other words, RIA Eyewear helps you play at your peak all while safeguarding your eyes.
What Other Vision-Related Expenses Are Covered Under Your HSA or FSA?
In addition to prescription sunglasses, your HSA or FSA covers many other vision expenses. Here’s a short list:
Prescription eyeglasses: Whether you need single-vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses, your HSA or FSA can help cover the cost of prescription eyeglasses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses: Reading glasses available without a prescription at drugstores or retail outlets are eligible for reimbursement with your HSA or FSA funds.
Contact lenses: From daily disposables to extended-wear lenses, contact lenses prescribed by a qualified eye care professional are typically eligible for reimbursement with your HSA or FSA accounts.
Lens coatings and treatments: Enhance the performance and durability of your eyewear with lens coatings and treatments like anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and UV coatings, all of which are typically eligible for reimbursement.
Eye exams: Routine eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision and detecting any underlying eye conditions. Your HSA or FSA can help cover the cost of comprehensive eye exams performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Eye surgery: Certain vision correction procedures, such as LASIK or PRK surgery, are considered HSA or FSA eligible.
These benefits can offset the cost of routine eye care and ensure you maintain optimal vision health throughout the year.
What’s not eligible
Apart from non-prescription sunglasses, here are some other eyewear and eye care items usually not applicable for HSA/FSA reimbursement:
Blue light glasses: Blue light blocking glasses, also known as computer glasses or gaming glasses, are designed to reduce eye strain and digital eye fatigue by filtering out blue light emitted from electronic devices. Unfortunately, regulations have shifted over the years, and currently non-prescription blue light blocking glasses are not considered a qualified medical expense by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Fashion eyewear: Eyeglasses or sunglasses purchased for purely cosmetic reasons, such as to enhance personal style or make a fashion statement, are not considered eligible medical expenses and cannot be reimbursed through your HSA or FSA.
How to Use Your FSA or HSA to Buy Sunglasses
To use your FSA or HSA for sunglasses, follow these 5 simple steps:
Obtain a prescription from your eye care provider if necessary.
Choose a reputable eyewear retailer that accepts FSA/HSA payments.
Select a pair of sunglasses that meet your prescription needs and budget.
Pay for your purchase using your FSA or HSA card or submit a reimbursement claim with your receipt.
Brag to your friends about how much you saved on your new shades!
Do You Need a Letter of Medical Necessity(LOMN) to Pay for Sunglasses With Your FSA/HSA?
If you have a prescription, a LOMN is not needed. However, the prescription has to be valid and issued by a qualified eye care professional.
On the other hand, if you need specialized sunglasses for specific activities, such as sports or outdoor work, and your doctor deems them medically necessary, a LOMN will be required to reimburse the expense.
Is there an FSA or HSA glasses limit?
There isn't a specific limit imposed by the IRS on the number of pairs of prescription glasses covered by HSAs or FSAs.
How Flex Can Help You Buy Sunglasses with Your HSA/FSA
To use your HSA or FSA to buy sunglasses, you have two options:
With a prescription: If you’re buying from an online brand, they may not be able to accept your payment (you’ll know because your HSA or FSA debit card will be declined). However, if a company has partnered with Flex, you'll see a "checkout with Flex" option on the payment page. Pay for the product or service with your HSA or FSA card and checkout as usual. Flex will substantiate the purchase automatically.
Just don’t forget to save your receipts, you may need them for documentation purposes.
With a LOMN: Alternatively, if you need a pair of specialized sunglasses but don’t have a prescription, you can talk with your doctor to obtain a Letter of Medical Necessity. Traditionally, the process of getting a LOMN can be tedious and time-consuming. However, if the company works with us, like RIA Eyewear, getting one is a simple part of the checkout flow. Best yet, you can use your HSA or FSA debit card, so no need for reimbursement
Flex really does make the HSA and FSA purchase process simpler, check out more of our products at the Flex Shop.
You Can Buy Your Dream Sunglasses With HSA/FSA, So What Are You Waiting For?
Whether you're hitting the links or simply soaking up the sun, don't let the cost of quality sunglasses deter you from protecting your peepers.
If you’ve got your sight set on some stylish shades, maximize your health care savings, and see the world with clarity and confidence thanks to your HSA or FSA.
Flex is the easiest way for direct to consumer brands and retailers to accept HSA/FSA for their products. From fitness and nutrition, to sleep and mental health, Flex takes a holistic view of healthcare and enables consumers to use their pre-tax money to do the same.