Federal Healthcare Flexible Spending Account- stupid not to do?

[Anonymous]

I did not enroll in the Flexible Spending Account when hired as a fed, was that a bad move?

In early 20's, married.

[Anonymous]

yes. too late for 2017 but sign up next year.

[Anonymous]

There's an open season every year, so you can sign up next year.

Also, you can only roll over $500, so you'll want to think about how much you spend on health care before signing up.

[Anonymous]

Can you do an HSA instead?

[Anonymous]

We had so many problems getting reimbursed and had to fight with them so much it wasn't worth it. Maybe they have a new vendor now.

[Anonymous]

Yes it wasn't a good decision but you can sign up next year.

In addition to copay reimbursement, you can use FSA funds to pay for mileage to/from appts, parking at doc appts, sunscreen (buy the pricey kind if you like), hand sanitizer, rx meds, OTC meds with a prescription, shoe inserts, massages, and more. For most families, this is money that they will spend anyway so why not take advantage of the tax savings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had so many problems getting reimbursed and had to fight with them so much it wasn't worth it. Maybe they have a new vendor now.

Likewise. I haven't used it in years. Last year, I paid maybe $120 total on medical expenses and that included a $100 co pay for a dental cleaning. We fortunately just don't have many medical expenses and fighting with them to approve the ones we did lead to losing money in the account.

[Anonymous]

I love it--but I pretty much only use it with paperless reimbursement. I never bother submitting receipts for other purchases.

[Anonymous]

I only found it useful when we had kids. In my 20s, we almost never got sick or needed to go to the doctors.

[Anonymous]

In addition, it can be used for eye care expenses if you wear glasses or contacts or want to get Lasik.

Not the end of the world but a good deal if you have such expenses.

Also they just upgraded the system and made it significantly easier to file for reimbursement.

[Anonymous]

We don't have childcare anymore and Rx portion is not worth the hassle. Stopped 2 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition, it can be used for eye care expenses if you wear glasses or contacts or want to get Lasik.

Not the end of the world but a good deal if you have such expenses.

Also they just upgraded the system and made it significantly easier to file for reimbursement.

Yes, the new fsafeds website is very easy to use. Just fill out a few drop down questions, scan your receipt, and upload. I did a ton last week and reimbursements already hit my account. Took just a couple of minutes per receipt.