What to Buy With FSA Funds Before They Expire: A Year-End Guide

If you still have money in a Flexible Spending Account as the end of your plan year approaches, it is worth checking your balance before the deadline arrives.

Health FSAs are generally subject to "use-it-or-lose-it" rules, although some employer plans allow either a limited carryover or a grace period. Your actual deadline and carryover rules depend on your specific plan, so check with your benefits administrator before assuming your balance expires on December 31.

Health Savings Accounts work differently. HSA funds generally do not expire at the end of the year. Money left in an HSA typically remains in the account and carries over into future years.

If you do have FSA funds that need to be used before your plan deadline, this guide explains what to check and how eligible adaptive-clothing purchases may fit into your year-end spending.

Do FSA Funds Expire?

Often, yes, but the exact rules depend on your employer's plan.

FSAs are generally "use-it-or-lose-it" accounts, meaning unused money may be forfeited after the end of the plan year. However, employers may choose to offer either a limited carryover into the following year or a grace period during which remaining funds can still be used for qualified expenses.

Before making a year-end purchase, check:

• Your remaining FSA balance
• Your plan-year end date
• Whether your plan allows a carryover
• Whether your plan provides a grace period
• Your deadline for submitting claims

Don't assume everyone has the same December 31 deadline.

Do HSA Funds Expire?

No. HSA balances generally roll over from year to year.

That means there is usually no need to rush to spend HSA money simply because the calendar year is ending. Funds that remain in the account can generally stay there for future qualified medical expenses.

So while you'll often hear people talk about "using HSA/FSA funds before they expire," that urgency generally applies to certain FSA balances, not HSAs.

Can You Use HSA or FSA Funds for Adaptive Clothing?

HSA and FSA funds are intended for qualified medical expenses. IRS rules generally distinguish medical expenses from ordinary personal-use items, and eligibility can depend on why an item is being purchased and the individual's circumstances.

Joe & Bella partners with Flex to support HSA/FSA payment and documentation at checkout.

Flex reviews products and determines how a purchase can be substantiated. Depending on the product and purchaser, a transaction may be substantiated at checkout or may require additional information or documentation.

Eligibility is ultimately determined by the applicable tax rules and your plan administrator, so having Flex available at checkout does not by itself guarantee that every purchase will qualify for every individual.

If you are unsure whether a purchase is eligible under your particular plan, check with your HSA or FSA administrator before ordering.

Adaptive Clothing to Consider With Remaining FSA Funds

If adaptive clothing is an eligible expense for you, consider starting with a specific dressing, mobility or recovery need rather than simply trying to spend down a balance.

Magnetic Shirts

Traditional buttons can be difficult for someone with arthritis, reduced hand dexterity or limited use of one hand.

Joe & Bella's magnetic shirts maintain the appearance of a conventional button-down while replacing the functional buttoning process with hidden magnetic closures.

Explore our Magnetic Clothing collection.

Adaptive Pants

Different adaptive-pant designs solve different dressing and personal-care challenges.

Everyday Side-Zip Pants feature full-length two-way zippers along the outer seams, allowing the pants to open from the waist or hem.

CareZips® use two outer-seam zippers from waist to knee plus an inseam zipper extending from knee to knee through the crotch. That design provides additional access when someone needs assistance with dressing or personal care.

Explore our Adaptive Pants collection.

Easier-Dressing Sweaters and Layering Pieces

Getting into a traditional sweater or managing a conventional zipper can be difficult when hand dexterity, arm movement or shoulder mobility is limited.

Joe & Bella's adaptive layering pieces are designed to reduce some of those dressing demands while maintaining a contemporary look.

Explore our Adaptive Sweaters and Layering Pieces.

Gripper Socks

Gripper socks add traction on smooth indoor surfaces compared with ordinary smooth-soled socks.

Joe & Bella's gripper socks are also designed with dressing features intended to make them easier to put on and remove.

Explore our Gripper Socks collection.

Compression Socks

Joe & Bella's compression socks provide 15-20 mmHg graduated compression and incorporate easier-grab features intended to make dressing more manageable.

Compression is not appropriate for every person or every medical condition. If you are considering compression for significant swelling, circulation problems or another medical concern, ask a healthcare professional what level is appropriate for you.

Explore our Compression Socks collection.

How to Pay With HSA/FSA at Joe & Bella

Joe & Bella offers Flex as an HSA/FSA payment option at checkout.

The process is straightforward:

1. Shop Joe & Bella and add the products you want to your cart.
2. At checkout, choose Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA.
3. Follow Flex's prompts and enter your HSA/FSA card information when applicable.
4. Flex provides documentation associated with the purchase.

If you don't have your HSA/FSA card available, Flex may also allow you to pay with another payment method and provide documentation that can be submitted to your plan administrator for reimbursement.

Keep any receipts and supporting documentation in case your plan administrator requests them.

What Should You Check Before Spending Your Remaining FSA Balance?

Before buying something simply because your deadline is approaching, take a few minutes to verify the details.

Check Your Actual Deadline

Your plan may not follow the calendar year, and some plans offer a carryover or grace period.

Check Your Remaining Balance

Knowing exactly how much is left can help you avoid making unnecessary purchases simply because you think funds are about to disappear.

Make Sure the Purchase Addresses a Real Need

The goal shouldn't be to buy something simply because it can potentially be paid for with pre-tax funds.

Look for products that address an actual dressing, mobility, recovery or daily-living need.

Confirm Eligibility When You're Unsure

Whether a particular expense qualifies can depend on the product, the reason for purchasing it and your specific plan.

When in doubt, ask your plan administrator.

What Happens if an HSA/FSA Claim Is Denied?

A plan administrator can ultimately approve or deny a reimbursement claim.

If a claim is denied, start by contacting your HSA or FSA administrator to understand why. The issue may involve eligibility, documentation or a rule specific to your plan.

If you purchased through Flex and need help locating documentation associated with the transaction, Flex can also provide support.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. HSA funds generally remain in your account and carry over from one year to the next.

Do FSA funds expire?

They can. Health FSAs are generally subject to use-it-or-lose-it rules, but some plans offer either a limited carryover or a grace period. Check your specific plan.

Do I have to spend my FSA by December 31?

Not necessarily. Many plans use a calendar year, but deadlines can vary. Your employer may also offer a carryover or grace period.

Can I pay with an HSA/FSA card at Joe & Bella?

Joe & Bella offers Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA as a checkout option. Follow the Flex prompts during checkout to determine the appropriate payment and substantiation process for your purchase.

Is every Joe & Bella product automatically eligible for everyone?

Eligibility can depend on the product, your individual circumstances and your plan's rules. Flex supports substantiation of qualifying purchases, but your plan administrator ultimately determines whether a claim is accepted.

Should I spend my HSA balance before the end of the year?

There generally isn't a year-end requirement to do so. HSA balances typically carry over, so you can preserve those funds for future qualified medical expenses.

Make Your FSA Deadline Work for You

If you have FSA funds that may be forfeited at the end of your plan year, checking your balance early gives you time to make a thoughtful decision instead of rushing into a last-minute purchase.

Start by confirming your deadline and plan rules. Then consider whether there are eligible products you already need for dressing, mobility, recovery or everyday comfort.

If adaptive clothing is appropriate for your situation, explore Joe & Bella's HSA/FSA shopping options and choose Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA at checkout to see the payment and documentation options available for your purchase.

The goal isn't simply to use the money before a deadline.

It's to use it on something you actually need.

About the Author:

Nurse Taylor Thoen Donaldson is Joe & Bella's Chief of Customer Happiness and a former geriatric nurse. Taylor worked extensively with older adults as they recovered and prepared to leave the hospital. Known to our customers as "Nurse Taylor," she brings a frontline caregiver's perspective to everything we do, ensuring our products hold up not just in concept, but in the daily reality of dressing someone with limited time, limited mobility, and a lot on the line. 

A note from Joe & Bella: Our content is intended for general informational purposes only. While we share insights from our own Nurse Taylor and other health and wellness experts, please know that they are not your healthcare provider and nothing here should be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every person's situation is different. Please consult your own physician, nurse, or healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health or the care of a loved one.