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Planning Your Healthcare FSA and HSA: Make the Most of Your Benefits

Published on Sep 22, 2025 | 1:55 PM

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When open enrollment season arrives, one of the biggest questions patients ask is: Should I use an FSA or an HSA?

Both accounts help you set aside money for healthcare costs. But understanding the differences—and how to plan—can save you hundreds of dollars each year.

 

What Is an FSA?

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) lets you set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible healthcare expenses.

You can use it for things like:

  • Prescription medications
  • Copays and deductibles
  • Over-the-counter meds and supplies
  • Glasses, contacts, and some dental or vision care

The catch? FSA funds are “use it or lose it”. That means you must spend the money by the end of the plan year, or it may expire. Some employers allow a short grace period or small rollover, but not always.

What Is an HSA?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is available if you’re enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).

Like an FSA, you contribute pre-tax dollars, but here’s the big difference: the money rolls over every year. You don’t lose unused funds.

HSAs also grow tax-free and can even be invested, making them powerful tools for long-term healthcare planning—even into retirement.

 

How to Plan Ahead

When deciding how much to contribute, think about:

  • Your routine expenses: prescriptions, regular appointments, therapy, or labs
  • Expected procedures: surgeries, dental work, or vision correction
  • Unexpected care: urgent visits or chronic condition flare-ups

For FSAs, it’s better to contribute what you know you’ll spend to avoid losing funds. For HSAs, you can afford to save more since the money carries over.

 

Common Eligible Expenses

Many people don’t realize just how much they can use these accounts for. Eligible items include:

  • Telehealth visits and online prescriptions
  • Blood pressure monitors, thermometers, and first aid kits
  • Mental health counseling
  • Fertility treatments and certain family planning services

Knowing what counts helps you maximize every dollar.

 

How CallOnDoc Helps You Use FSA/HSA Funds

At CallOnDoc, your FSA or HSA can often be used to cover:

  • Virtual visits for urgent or chronic conditions
  • Prescription renewals without the hassle of office visits
  • Lab testing and monitoring for long-term conditions

Because we provide transparent pricing with no surprise bills, it’s easier to plan how your FSA or HSA dollars are spent.

 

Because treatment should be as simple as a text.

Tap. Type. Treated. Start-to-finish in 15 minutes.

Final Word

Both FSAs and HSAs are powerful tools. FSAs work best if you know your yearly health costs and want immediate tax savings. HSAs are ideal for those with high-deductible plans and long-term goals.

Either way, planning ahead means less stress when medical bills pop up—and more control over your healthcare spending.

 

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Shelly House, FNP,

Shelly House, FNP, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Call-On-Doc’s trusted medical education voice. With extensive experience in telehealth and patient-centered care, Ms. House is dedicated to making complex health topics simple and accessible. Through evidence-based content, provider collaboration, and a passion for empowering patients, her mission is to break down barriers to healthcare by delivering clear, compassionate, and practical medical guidance.

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