Glasses: FSA and HSA Eligibility
Prescription glasses and reading glasses are qualified medical expenses you can claim from your FSA, HSA or HRA. Frames are covered too. No letter needed.
5 minute read
Short answer
Prescription glasses and reading glasses are reimbursable outright from FSA, HSA or HRA accounts under IRS Publication 502. You don't need a letter from a clinician.
You can buy from any retailer with any card. Keep your receipt to process reimbursement with your administrator.
Glasses are a qualified medical expense under IRS Publication 502
Eyeglasses needed for medical reasons are qualifying expenses under IRS Publication 502. The rule specifically includes prescription glasses to correct vision. This is a clear medical need, not a lifestyle choice.
What types of glasses qualify
Prescription glasses, reading glasses prescribed by an eye doctor, and prescription sunglasses are all reimbursable outright. The key is that they must be prescribed by a licensed eye care professional to correct or compensate for a vision problem.
Frames are part of the purchase
Frames are included when eyeglasses are reimbursable. The frame cost is part of the eligible expense under the IRS rule for eyeglasses. You can't separate frames from lenses and claim one but not the other.
Glasses don't require a letter of medical necessity
Prescription glasses are reimbursable immediately. You don't need a letter from a clinician or any other written statement. Your receipt from the eye doctor or retailer is all your administrator needs.
Why no letter for glasses?
Prescription glasses are clearly needed for medical reasons. They correct vision. The prescription itself from your eye doctor is sufficient proof of medical necessity.
How to buy glasses and claim reimbursement
You can buy prescription glasses from any optical retailer. This includes local opticians, national chains, or online stores. Pay with any card: credit card, debit card, or BNPL. No pre-approval is needed from your administrator.
Step-by-step process
Get an eye exam from an eye doctor or optometrist. They will write a prescription for your glasses.
Choose frames and lenses from any retailer. There is no requirement to use a specific eye care provider or store.
Pay for the glasses with any card or payment method. Your FSA, HSA or HRA does not need to be involved in the purchase.
Keep the receipt showing the date of purchase and the amount paid.
Provide the receipt to your FSA, HSA or HRA plan administrator to request reimbursement.
Your plan reviews the purchase and processes the reimbursement.
Timing matters
You can buy glasses and request reimbursement after. There is no deadline to claim glasses once purchased. However, your FSA may have plan-specific rules about how long you have to submit a reimbursement request, so check with your administrator about their timeline.
Reimbursement: what's eligible and what's not
Item | Reimbursement Status |
|---|---|
Prescription glasses (any type) | Reimbursable outright |
Reading glasses (prescription) | Reimbursable outright |
Frames (as part of glasses) | Reimbursable outright |
Prescription sunglasses | Reimbursable outright |
Non-prescription sunglasses | Not reimbursable |
Non-prescription readers (drugstore) | Not reimbursable |
The rule is simple: glasses must be needed for medical reasons. That means they need to be prescribed by an eye doctor or optometrist. Non-prescription glasses from a drugstore don't meet this test and are not reimbursable.
Related vision expenses you can also claim
Glasses are one of several vision-related expenses covered under the same IRS rule in Publication 502. You can claim any combination of these from your FSA, HSA or HRA account.
Contact lenses and contact lens solution
Eye exams and other eye care services
LASIK, PRK and other vision-correction eye surgery
Prescription sunglasses
The same medical-reason test applies to all of them. If a vision product or service is prescribed by an eye care professional to correct or treat a vision problem, it's likely reimbursable outright.
Getting glasses reimbursed with Burst
Burst handles the letter and the claim. You request the letter of medical necessity in about two minutes for $35, a licensed clinician reviews it, and it typically lands in your inbox within 24 hours. Burst files the reimbursement claim with your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator. The administrator pays you out of your account by deposit or check. No letter, no charge. Claim denied, money back. Request it before you buy, because the letter has to be dated on or before the purchase it covers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my FSA for prescription glasses?
Yes. Prescription glasses are qualifying medical expenses under IRS Publication 502. Keep your receipt to process reimbursement.
Do I need a letter to claim glasses with my HSA?
No. Glasses are reimbursable outright. Your receipt is sufficient. You don't need a letter from a clinician.
Are frames covered when I buy glasses?
Yes. Frames are part of the eyeglasses purchase. When glasses are reimbursable, the frame cost is included.
Can I buy glasses online and request reimbursement?
Yes. You can buy from any retailer, including online, with any card. Keep your receipt to process reimbursement with your plan.
Are non-prescription reading glasses reimbursable?
No. Reading glasses must be prescribed by an eye doctor to be reimbursable. Non-prescription readers from a drugstore are not eligible.
Can I use my HRA for glasses?
Yes. Prescription glasses are reimbursable from FSA, HSA or HRA accounts. The rule is the same across all three account types.
Do I need my prescription verified before I buy?
No. You can buy glasses with your own money and request reimbursement afterward. Your administrator reviews the receipt and approves the claim.
Keep reading: FSA Rollover: How Carryover Works, Dependent Care FSA Eligible Expenses, and all guides on this topic.
Sources
IRS Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses (glasses, eyeglasses, reading glasses, contact lenses, eye exams, vision correction surgery, sunglasses, qualified medical expenses)
Healthcare.gov Glossary (FSA and HSA account types and rules)
IRS Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (HSA and HRA account rules, contribution limits, eligible expenses)
More in
