A flexible spending account (FSA) is an employer-sponsored health benefit that allows you to set aside tax-exempt money for out-of-pocket medical expenses. This money is usually taken out of each paycheck before you pay taxes. However, the tricky thing with FSA funds is they usually disappear at the end of the calendar year if they go unused. In other words, you forfeit the money that you had set aside if you don’t use it by the end of the year. What better excuse to take care of all of those little medical expenses you had been putting off?

To help you get the most out of your healthcare plan, we’ve compiled a list of 15 helpful, healthy ways to use those last bits of FSA funds.

Health Care on Sesame

Sesame accepts both FSA plans and health savings account (HSA) payments for appointments and medications. Extra FSA funds can be used for a myriad of preventative care appointments on Sesame to help ensure next year is your healthiest yet.

Unfortunately, too many of us put mental health too low on our priorities. However, this can be a stressful time of year, which makes it the perfect time to book a video mental health appointment on Sesame. These convenient visits are a great way to talk through any mental health issues you may be going through, or just get a check-up on your overall mental wellness.

If you’ve been putting off buying those new glasses, now’s your chance to treat yourself to a stylish new pair! Glasses, contacts, and other forms of vision care are eligible for FSA funds, so now’s the time to improve your eyewear. Sesame offers eye exams, vision assessments, and vision care prescriptions. You can use your leftover FSA funds to have your eyes checked by a licensed optometrist near you and get a prescription for corrective lenses if needed. If a prescription is needed, you can use your FSA savings on any eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, contact lenses, or lens solution you may need.

Nearly half of all American adults resolve to lose weight, eat healthier, and exercise more in the New Year. Weight loss can be challenging and is made all the more so by the sheer amount of conflicting ideas and information that exists about how to do it. Give yourself a leg up on your weight loss journey by booking a weight management or weight loss visit on Sesame. These visits allow you to talk directly with a licensed health care provider to craft the best weight loss or management program for your individual needs. Need help with that New Year’s diet resolution? Book a video nutritionist consult on Sesame to discuss how you can improve your diet and manage your weight.

Sesame offers a range of dental care services from teeth whitening, toothache care, and full dental cleaning visits. You can save up to 60% on your dental care when you use your leftover FSA funds on services booked through Sesame.

Go into the New Year glowing! Sesame offers both in-person and video visits with dermatologists and family medicine doctors around the country. Whether you’re struggling to regain control of your skin or looking to manage an existing condition, these appointments allow you to connect directly with a health care provider for comprehensive treatment. Providers on Sesame can diagnose and treat conditions such as acne, cold sores, eczema, moles, and more while offering prescriptions when necessary.

If your healthcare plan doesn’t cover the full amount of any lab work you may need, check out the range of tests available on Sesame. We’ve partnered with Quest Diagnostics to offer lab tests around the country. From standard health panels to complete blood counts, we recommend using some of your remaining FSA funds on these lab tests to get a more complete picture of your overall health.

Sexual health and male pattern baldness might not be at the top of your mind during your annual physical exam. As the year wraps up, talk to a doctor on Sesame to discuss issues such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and hair loss to get specialized treatment. These conditions are often a “warning sign” for other, potentially more serious, conditions so we recommend getting proactive and talking to a health care provider right away to start treatment.

If you’re dealing with lingering pain or an ongoing injury, physical therapy can play a key role in your rehabilitation and pain management. Sesame offers in-person and video physical therapy visits across the country, which means you can get one-on-one help for a sore neck, low back pain, shoulder pain, and more. Because PT is not always covered by healthcare plans, now is a great time to get comprehensive physiotherapy care with those remaining FSA dollars.

Not all imaging services are covered by healthcare plans. If you’ve been holding off on booking that MRI or X-ray for fear of the cost, put your FSA funds to good use and book an imaging appointment on Sesame. Our imaging prices are often several hundred dollars cheaper than national prices, with participating service providers across the country. Save up to 60% on MRI, X-ray, CT, and ultrasound scans when you book your imaging appointment through Sesame.

Surveys commissioned by Sesame have shown that Americans don’t get tested enough for STDs. This is especially prevalent in college-age students. With quick and discreet testing options across the country, we urge you to use the remaining FSA money you have on these crucial exams. Regular STD testing plays a key role in protecting both yourself and your partners. A lack of symptoms does not mean that you do not have an STD. Follow the guidelines published by the CDC and easily book an STD test on Sesame.

Additional FSA-Eligible Expenses

Beyond medical care on Sesame, FSA funds offer a great opportunity to stock up on a variety of health care products for the following year.

You can fill out your medicine cabinet for the coming year by using your FSA funds on OTC medicines. OTC drugs can be bought at pharmacies and medical retailers like Walmart, Target, or CVS.

Some FSA-eligible OTC medications include:

• Pain relievers
  
• Cough medicine
  
• Sleep aids
  
• Allergy medication
  
  

As of March 2020, women’s health care products are now eligible for FSA reimbursement. If you have unused FSA money, consider using it to buy some essentials through a medical retailer or the FSA store.

FSA-eligible items include:

• Tampons
  
• Breast pumps
  
• Prenatal vitamins
  
• Pregnancy tests
  
• Menstrual pain relief medicine (like Midol)
  
• Birth control (prescription required for hormonal birth control)
  
  

You read that right! You can use your leftover FSA funds on a wide variety of skin care products. The FSA store has several skin care bundles that include cleansers, moisturizers, and exfoliants.

You can also use your FSA money on products such as:

• Lip balm (look for lip balm with SPF for additional protection)
  
• Sunscreen (adult, pediatric, and baby)
  
• Anti-itch creams
  
  

Every home should have a first aid kit for emergencies. Some products in these kits can expire, so it’s important for you to stay up-to-date on whether or not the products in your kit are as well. First-aid kits are eligible for FSA reimbursement, so if you need one or need to refresh yours, we recommend using leftover funds on this household essential.

You can buy complete first-aid kits through the FSA store, at most medical retailers, or on Amazon.

FSA funds can also be used on a wide variety of medical care products. Many of these products can help you monitor your own health at home, or help protect you against illness or injury.

FSA-eligible products include:

• Hearing aids
  
• Blood pressure monitors
  
• Thermometers
  
• Hand sanitizer
  
• Face masks
  
• Heating pads
  
• Massage guns
  
• Relaxation masks
  
  

If you haven’t used all your FSA money on co-pays and deductibles, consider using what’s remaining on those medical expenses your health insurance doesn’t cover. You can use these funds on a range of care products that will help protect you and keep you healthy in the coming year.

Sesame accepts FSA funds for appointments and prescriptions purchased through our site. Use the end of the year as an opportunity to book that visit you’ve been putting off. Don’t leave money on the table—put your FSA money to use to make next year your healthiest yet.