Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (2025)

Spend smarter.
Save more on healthcare.

An FSA empowers you to keep more of your hard-earned money. Plan your spending, know the rules and unlock amazing tax savings.

  • FSA basics
  • Plan
  • Rules
  • Resources

What is a Flexible Spending Account?

FSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that let you use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible medical expenses. You can use an FSA to save on average 30 percent1 on healthcare costs. Don’t think of it as money deducted from your paycheck—think of it as money added to your wallet.

Benefits built for mobile.

Faster access, stronger security, and more convenient than logging in online. FSAs use either HealthEquity Mobile or EZ Receipts Mobile—depending on your plan.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (1)

HealthEquity Mobile app

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (2)

4.5 stars2

Tap into health savings.
Already enrolled? Set up your new account directly in the app—no need to register online.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (3)

EZ Receipts Mobile app

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (4)

4.7 stars3

Bring your benefits with you.
Already enrolled? Please set up your account online before using the app.

Am I eligible for a Flexible Spending Account?

Eligibility requires an FSA offered through your employer. In most cases, you cannot combine an HSA with an FSA. However, Limited Purpose FSAs make a great HSA companion.

Choosing between different FSA options

How do I sign up?

You can enroll in a health plan and sign up for an FSA during your organization’s annual enrollment period.

Considering FSA? 8 things you need to know

Plan your spending

It pays to be strategic.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (5) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (6) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (7)

Think beyond the doctor’s office

Because of the tax savings on contributions, you can save an average of 30 percent1 on qualified medical expenses, including but not limited to:

  • Acne Medicine
  • Ambulance
  • Contact LensesRx
  • Dental Cleanings
  • Disposable Face Masks
  • EyeglassesRx
  • Eye Surgery
  • Hearing Aids
  • Motorized Wheelchair
  • PrescriptionsRx
  • X-Rays
  • Allergy Medicines
  • Braces
  • Crutches
  • Denturist
  • Doctor Fees
  • Eye Exams
  • Flu Shot
  • Ibuprofen
  • Orthodontia
  • Sanitizing Wipes

Discover all the ways to spend your FSA

Ready to shop?
Visit the FSA Store

You can purchase FSA-eligible items online directly through the FSA store. Browse prescriptions, hearing aids, contact lenses and more.

Browse the FSA Store now

Your savings can add up fast

Here’s an example based on $2,500 annual spending and a 30 percent effective tax rate.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (8)

Medical expenses
$1,500

+

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (9)

Vision expenses
$500

+

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (10)

Dental expenses
$500

Annual tax savings1

$750

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (11)

FSA Savings Calculator

Discover the full power of your FSA. Just input your planned spending and watch the savings add up.

Calculate my FSA tax savings

Make your elections

Once you choose an annual contribution, your employer will deduct that amount pre-tax in equal parts from each paycheck.

FSA Annual Contribution Limit

Tax year

Individual and family limit

2024

$3,200

2025

$3,300

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (12)

Get your money right away

Let’s say you plan to contribute the IRS maximum to your FSA. You’ll have access to the entire amount on the first day of the plan year. Take advantage. Spend now, contribute later.

Buy FSA eligible products at the FSA store

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (13)

Know the rules

Don’t get caught by surprise. Carefully review your open enrollment materials.

Timing matters

You only have one year to spend your FSA money. Unused funds are forfeited to your employer—usually at the end of the plan year. Some organizations, however, offer options that can make it easier to manage your FSA.4

5 tricks to maximize your FSA

  • FSA Carryover5
    Carryover up to $660 of unused funds into the next plan year.
  • FSA Grace Period
    Enjoy an extra 2 ½ months at the end of the plan year to spend FSA money.

Limited election period

Elections can only be made during open enrollment unless you have a qualifying life event,6 which may include changes to:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (14)

Employment
status (Including
medical leave)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (15)

Marital status

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (16)

Number of
dependents

No double-dipping

You can’t get reimbursed twice for the same expense (example: reimbursement + deduction from tax returns).

We make it easy to get reimbursed:

  • Online bill pay
  • Direct reimbursement into your checking account
  • HealthEquity FSA Debit Card (not available with all plan types)

Want more?

Check out these additional resources.

Articles

Considering an FSA? Here are 8 things you need to know
16 great ways to spend your healthcare FSA
Comparing FSA options

FSA webinar

Find out everything you need to know about FSAs, like seeing if you are FSA eligible. Take a deep dive and get tips and tricks to make the most of your account.

FSA: A flexible way to save A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) empowers you to spend tax-free dollars on qualified medical expenses. But smart spending requires careful planning. Join us to learn a few simple strategies that’ll help you spend and save like an FSA pro. 10m

Explore other FSA types

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (20)

LPFSA

Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account

Complement your HSA and save more on dental and vision.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (21)

DCFSA

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Turn caregiving into monthly tax savings.

1The example used is for illustrative purposes only; actual savings may vary. The figure is based on average tax rates, including state, federal and FICA taxes.Return to content

24.5 stars is the Apple App Store rating as of April 2025, with 11.8K ratings.Return to content

34.7 stars is the Apple App Store rating as of April 2025, with 76.6K ratings.Return to content

4Plans vary by employer. Please review your plan documents carefully or consult your employer for information about your company's benefits.Return to content

5Depending on your employer’s plan, you may carry over up to 20 percent of that plan year’s maximum health FSA salary reduction contribution ($640 for plan years beginning in 2024).Return to content

6Please refer to your plan documents for more information.Return to content

HealthEquity does not provide legal, tax or financial advice. Always consult a professional when making life-changing decisions.

App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

COBRA/Direct Bill Employer login

Please refer to your Client Welcome email for the URL of your specific COBRA/Direct Bill Employer login page.

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    • Login Help
  • Business Help
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    • Assist Solutions New
  • Products
    • HSA
    • FSA
    • HRA
    • HPA
    • Dependent Care
    • Commuter
    • Lifestyle
    • COBRA
    • Direct Billing
    • Premium Only Plans
  • About
    • About HealthEquity
    • What's New
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Further
    • Newsroom
    • CSR Report
    • Investor Relations
    • Community Foundation
    • Careers
    • Blog
    • Security
    • Contact Us

Follow us

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (32)

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Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Guide (2025)
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