Can you use an FSA or HSA for vision correction?

Yes, qualified vision care can generally be paid for with FSA or HSA funds. IRS Publication 502 lists eye examinations and eye surgery to treat defective vision, including laser eye surgery, among medical expenses. Brinton Vision offers options such as LASIK, PRK, SMILE, and EVO ICL. Eligibility for a particular expense depends on your circumstances and account rules, so check with your FSA administrator or HSA provider before making plans.

Keep your itemized receipt and other documentation your account may require. An HSA expense cannot also be reimbursed from another source.

2026 FSA and HSA contribution limits

For plan years beginning in 2026, the maximum employee salary reduction contribution to a health FSA is $3,400 per employee. It is not a separate $6,800 family FSA limit. If an employer’s plan permits a carryover, up to $680 of unused 2026 funds may carry into the following plan year; an employer can set a lower limit or offer no carryover. A plan may offer a grace period of up to two months and 15 days instead of a carryover. Check your own plan documents for its rules. IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32; IRS Publication 969.

For 2026, the HSA contribution limit is $4,400 for eligible people with self-only high-deductible health plan coverage and $8,750 for eligible people with family coverage. Eligible account holders age 55 or older may contribute an additional $1,000. These are contribution limits, not deadlines for spending an existing HSA balance. Unused HSA funds generally carry over each year. IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-19; 2026 IRS Publication 15-B; IRS Publication 969.

Plan around your FSA deadline

If your FSA plan year ends December 31, 2026, confirm whether it has a carryover, a grace period, and a deadline for submitting claims. Your deadline may differ if your employer uses a different plan year.

For an FSA, the date you receive medical care matters. Paying a deposit in 2026 for surgery that takes place in 2027 generally does not make the surgery a 2026 FSA expense. The IRS treats an expense as incurred when the care is provided, rather than when it is billed or paid. IRS Notice 2020-33.

To get started:

1. Check your available FSA or HSA balance and your plan’s rules.
2. Schedule a consultation with Brinton Vision to discuss your vision and treatment options.
3. If you hope to use 2026 FSA funds for surgery, ask about available procedure dates and confirm eligibility with your plan administrator before committing funds.
4. Ask our team about payment and financing options for any amount your account will not cover.