20+ Last-Minute FSA Eligible Purchases to Make Before Year-End

If you still have money sitting in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) near the end of your plan year, now is a good time to figure out how to use it.

Many health FSAs follow a use-it-or-lose-it rule, meaning you could forfeit unused funds after your plan's deadline. Fortunately, there are plenty of last-minute FSA eligible purchases that can help you put that money toward healthcare expenses you actually need, including health products you may already be planning to buy.

Before starting your last-minute FSA spending, it’s a good idea to first log into your FSA account and check your remaining balance and then confirm when you actually need to use it.

Health FSAs are generally subject to the use-it-or-lose-it rule, but your employer may offer either a carryover or a grace period. A carryover lets you move some unused funds into the following plan year, while a grace period gives you additional time to incur eligible expenses using the previous year's funds. Your employer cannot offer both options and aren’t obligated to offer either so it’s best to check your plan’s deadline to make sure.

Also keep in mind that you might have a run-out period which gives you additional time to submit reimbursement claims for eligible expenses you already incurred during the year.

Wondering what you can buy with FSA funds before the deadline? Many people stop at the pharmacy aisle, but some of the most valuable ways to use your remaining balance are preventive health interventions you may already be paying for out of pocket.

For an item to be FSA eligible, it has to be used to treat, mitigate, or prevent a disease or condition. Expenses that are simply beneficial to general health don't qualify. The exception is dual-purpose products which are products or services that have a general wellness purpose but also a medical one for certain people. When supported by appropriate documentation, often a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN), these purchases may be FSA eligible for qualified customers.

Here are some of the most popular dual-purpose categories to consider before your deadline.

A gym membership for the purpose of generally “getting healthy” isn’t FSA eligible. However, when a healthcare provider recommends exercise to help treat or manage a condition such as obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure, an LMN may be the key for unlocking eligibility for things like:

• Gym memberships at chains like 24 Hour Fitness and Life Time
• Fitness studio memberships and class packs like ClassPass, Barry’s, and CorePower
• Personal training sessions
• Virtual fitness programs

Keep in mind that FSA expenses are generally tied to when a service is provided, not when you pay for it, so prepaying for next year's membership may not count toward this year's balance. Browse eligible gyms and studios to see what's available near you.

Some red light therapy devices are pre-approved for FSA spending while others may be FSA eligible when they're recommended for a specific condition, such as chronic joint or muscle pain or certain skin conditions. Check each product and your individual plan to confirm whether or not you need to secure additional documentation. Examples potentially eligible red light tools include:

• Red light therapy panels from top brands like LUMEBOX and Hooga Health
• LED face masks like the HigherDOSE Red Light Mask
• Handheld and targeted red light devices
• Red light therapy wraps and pads

Explore red light therapy devices that may qualify.

If you're managing a condition like plantar fasciitis, arthritis, flat feet, or diabetes-related foot concerns, supportive footwear may be FSA eligible with an LMN. Examples include:

• Supportive walking and running shoes from brands like Altra and Flux.
• Recovery footwear like Kane Footwear’s line of orthopedic shoes
• Shoes designed for foot pain or wide feet
• Orthotic-friendly footwear. This includes footwear for children or other dependents who wear orthotics.

Explore adaptive footwear that may be eligible for qualified customers.

At-home fitness equipment may also be eligible when a provider recommends regular exercise as part of treating or managing a health condition like anxiety, depression, obesity, or hypertension. Examples include:

• Treadmills like the Peloton Tread+
• Walking pads
• Stationary bikes and rowers
• Vibration plates
• Adjustable dumbbells and strength training equipment
• Recovery tools like massage devices and compression systems
• Yoga mats

There are dozens more examples of fitness equipment that may qualify for FSA spending for qualified customers over on our HSA/FSA eligible fitness collection.

Vitamins and supplements taken for general health aren't usually eligible. Now, if you have a deficiency or a condition your provider wants to address, an LMN may make supplements like these eligible:

• Greens powders
• Vitamin D
• Adaptogens
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B complex
• Omega-3s
• Protein powders

Browse supplements that may qualify. You may be surprised to see some of your daily supplements you’re already taking may be eligible depending on your health history and needs.

Other dual-purpose categories that may be eligible for HSA/FSA spending for qualified customers include saunas and cold plunges, sleep tools, certain health tech and wearables, and home health upgrades like air purifiers and water filters.

If you're pressed for time and still have funds to spend, you can use Truemed's network of healthcare providers to see if you qualify for an LMN. Just fill out a health intake form, and a licensed healthcare provider will review it and issue an LMN when appropriate.

Still not sure what dual-purpose items to spend your FSA funds on? Check out our FSA eligible marketplace for ideas before your FSA deadline.

There are thousands of preventive health products that may be FSA eligible with an LMN for qualified customers, but there are also thousands of products and services that are already approved for FSA spending, no additional documentation required. These are an easy way to stock up on essentials or use up a smaller remaining balance.

• Health-tracking wearables: Some wearables, like the Oura Ring and WHOOP, are often FSA eligible without an LMN, although requirements can vary by plan administrator.
• Medicine cabinet essentials: Pain relievers, allergy medication, cold and flu medicine, antacids, bandages, and first-aid kits.
• Sunscreen and skin health: Broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and acne treatments.
• Menstrual care: Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear.
• Eye care: Contact lenses, contact lens solution, and prescription eyeglasses.
• At-home health devices: Thermometers, blood pressure monitors, heating pads, and braces and supports.

Curious what else may qualify? Check out our list of 70+ top FSA eligible expenses to discover even more ways to spend your funds before the deadline.

Not sure where to start? Your remaining balance can help narrow down your options.

You don't need to spend your balance on one large purchase. If you have $100 left, for example, you could restock several pre-approved essentials you'll use throughout the next year, or put it toward a dual-purpose purchase if you qualify for an LMN.

You can also head over to Truemed’s HSA/FSA eligible products page where you can filter thousands of eligible products by price, category, and health condition to find what’s right for you.

Before buying anything new, check whether you've already paid for eligible expenses out of pocket.

You generally don't need to use an FSA card for an expense to qualify. If you paid with your personal credit or debit card, you may be able to submit a reimbursement claim to your FSA administrator, provided the expense was eligible and incurred during the applicable coverage period.

Look through your records for expenses such as:

• Copays
• Prescriptions
• OTC medications
• Dental expenses
• Vision expenses
• Eligible therapy or healthcare appointments
• FSA-eligible products purchased with another payment method

Make sure to keep your receipts and supporting documentation as FSA reimbursements generally require third-party documentation like an itemized receipt, and in some cases a LMN, showing that the medical expense was incurred and the amount of the expense.

Having money left doesn't make every health-related purchase FSA eligible.

Expenses that are generally personal or intended for general health don't qualify as medical expenses. This can include ordinary cosmetics, toiletries, household products, regular clothing, vitamins taken solely for general health, and most cosmetic procedures.

A good rule of thumb to remember is if it’s not considered a healthcare item, or you’re not qualified to get an LMN for it, then you can’t use your FSA funds to buy it.

Not necessarily. December 31 is a common deadline for calendar-year plans, but FSA deadlines depend on the individual plan.

Your employer may also offer a grace period of up to 2½ months after the plan year ends or allow a portion of your unused balance to carry over. For 2026, plans that offer a carryover can permit up to $680 to move into the following plan year, although your employer may set a lower limit.

Before your plan year ends:

• Check your remaining FSA balance.
• Confirm your plan's spending deadline.
• Check whether your plan offers a carryover or grace period.
• Look for eligible purchases you've already paid for out of pocket.
• Make any necessary medical, dental, or vision purchases.
• Restock everyday FSA-eligible health essentials.
• Check whether planned health purchases may qualify and get an LMN where possible.
• Keep itemized receipts and any required documentation.
• Submit reimbursement claims before your plan's run-out deadline.