Maximize Your Back-to-School Savings with FSA and HSA Funds

Back-to-School Savings Made Easy with Health-E Commerce

As the back-to-school season arrives, parents across the nation are preparing for a busy shopping period, with anticipated expenses averaging over $875 per child. Health-E Commerce®, the parent company of FSA Store® and HSA Store®, is here to remind families that they can ease this financial burden by utilizing their flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) funds.

Understanding the Benefits of FSA and HSA Accounts

The essence of FSAs and HSAs lies in their tax advantages. Families can purchase a variety of health-related products and services without incurring the usual tax expenses, providing a unique opportunity to maximize savings. Many parents, however, may overlook eligible items beyond the standard clinical services such as routine check-ups, dental care, or vision examinations.

Keri Kaiser, Chief Revenue Officer of Health-E Commerce, emphasizes that while parents know to use these funds for clinical services, they often miss out on extra savings on everyday health products. Fortunately, both FSA Store and HSA Store simplify the process of finding what is eligible, removing the guesswork from the shopping experience.

Smart Shopping Tips for Every School Stage

Preschool and Kindergarten

For the little ones beginning preschool or kindergarten, preparing for common colds and illness is essential. Parents can consider purchasing items like Boogie Wipes, the Caring Mill® Sick Day Essentials Kit, and Braun’s No Touch Plus Forehead Thermometer. Pain relievers, such as Children's Motrin and Tylenol, are also part of the eligible essentials for this age group.

Elementary School

As children engage in more active play, bumps and scrapes become part of the school day. An essential for any first-aid kit could include the Caring Mill® Children’s First Aid Kit and Neosporin Plus Pain Relief Ointment. When the cold-and-flu season arrives, parents can benefit from products like the Caring Mill Non-contact Infrared Thermometer and allergy relief options, ensuring their young students stay healthy.

Middle School

Middle school often brings physical activity upticks through sports and other extracurriculars. FSA and HSA funds can help cover healthcare products essential for active students, such as Welly Clip 'n Go Bandages and acne solutions like PanOxyl Acne Banishing Body Spray. Providing your child with hydration options, like Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Drink Mix, is also advisable.

High School

For high school students, the need for wellness products grows. In addition to acne treatments like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Cleanser, parents can consider tech aids like the reVive Light Therapy Sonique Mini for skin health. Students may also find benefit in menstrual relief through products such as the Caring Mill Menstrual Relief Bundle.

College Preparations

When it’s time for students to head off to college, ensuring they are prepared with a well-stocked medicine cabinet can alleviate concerns for parents. Essentials might include CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser and hydration solutions like Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Drink Mix Pouches. Tech gadgets such as the WHOOP 4.0 Wearable Health Tracker can assist students in keeping track of their health away from home.

Additional Services

Beyond products, telehealth services are also eligible for FSA and HSA payments. Options include fully covered eyeglasses and mental health support services, expanding the benefits of these accounts. Parents of college students can simplify purchases by requesting an FSA or HSA debit card, allowing easy access to eligible health products at their child's convenience.

Maximizing Your Experience

Health-E Commerce’s online stores cater specifically to those enrolled in pre-tax health and wellness accounts, making them a significant resource. They advocate for broader eligibility of products and services in these areas, ensuring families can benefit from any changes. By focusing on health and wellness spending through these unique accounts, families can alleviate the back-to-school burden with confidence and ease.

In conclusion, with the use of FSA and HSA funds, health expenditures during back-to-school shopping do not have to burden families financially. It’s a smart and necessary move that allows parents to put their tax-free dollars to use effectively, ensuring their children are healthy and prepared for the upcoming school year.