Vision insurance vs. FSA vs. HSA

It's happened. You find yourself squinting at menus, unsure what street signs say, or getting headaches when you work more than 10 minutes on a digital device. These are some of the tell-tale signs you could need new glasses or an updated contact prescription — or that you need glasses or contacts for the first time.

Worried your vision might go blurry again when you see the costs associated with those lenses? If you have vision insurance or other health care financial tools, you may be able to lower your out-of-pocket costs. Understanding vision insurance vs. FSA vs. HSA options is essential to saving money and using your benefits to help pay for glasses or contacts.

All three of these options help you pay for things like eye exams and corrective lenses. Vision insurance usually covers a portion of your cost, while flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) let you set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses — which typically include eye care. And yes, you can stack some of these benefits like stacking coupons on top of sales at the grocery store to save even more money.

Below, we'll take a closer look at how each option works so you can see your options clearly (and affordably).

Does vision insurance cover contacts and glasses?

Yes, vision insurance typically helps cover the cost of contacts and glasses. Most plans include coverage for an annual eye exam plus an allowance toward one pair of glasses or a supply of contact lenses each year. Find out how you can order contacts online with insurance here.

If you like to switch it up between contacts and glasses — shout out to daytime contacts, nighttime glasses wearers — keep in mind that your plan may only cover one option per year. You may need to foot the bill for anything extra, like a backup pair of glasses. 

What it costs you to use vision insurance

Like all insurance plans, vision insurance comes with a few strings (and lots of fine print) attached. While it can help lower your overall eye care costs, vision insurance often leaves a balance on your invoice. Here's what you should know when using vision insurance:

• You may have a deductible or copay, depending on your plan. These are out-of-pocket amounts you're responsible for. For example, if your policy covers an annual exam with a $25 copay, you'll pay $25 at the time of your exam.

• Coverage is often limited to in-network providers, so you may need to check around town to see who takes your insurance.

• There's often an allowance cap on frames or contacts. Spoiler alert: Designer frames are likely above the allowance. You might also need to keep track of upgrades, like anti-glare coating, to ensure you don't go over your allowance.

• Some specialty or premium products might not be covered at all, and you may need to choose between covered glasses or covered contact lenses every year.

Can you use an FSA for contacts and glasses?

Yes, you can use a flexible spending account for contacts and glasses. FSAs are designed to help you cover qualified medical expenses with pre-tax dollars, and eyes definitely qualify. That means you can leverage FSA funds to pay for eye exams, contact lenses, and prescription glasses. 

In fact, you can use vision insurance and FSA together to reduce your immediate out-of-pocket costs. It works like this: You hand over your vision insurance card, but you get back a bill for what you owe anyway. Maybe you have a deductible, or you want a pair of glasses that are over the allowed amount. Whether you're adding special coatings to lenses, want specialty contacts, or know those ultra-stylish tortoiseshell frames would look great on your face, your FSA can help you get what you want while keeping eye care in budget.

What it costs you to use an FSA

FSAs offer versatile ways to save, but they're not without a few downsides. If you don't use the funds, you contribute to time, you could lose them — most FSAs don't roll funds over year to year, so keep an eye on your spending deadlines. 

Here are a few other things to consider when using an FSA:

• You don't earn interest on funds in your FSA. Even with the tax break, you might be better off putting money in a high-yield account if you have the willpower to let it sit until you need to cover vision care.

• FSAs may be more restrictive than HSAs when it comes to eligible expenses.

• Contribution limits are $3,300 per year in 2025, which is lower than the limit for HSA contributions. 

• Not all employers offer FSAs, and you can't enroll without an employer sponsoring the option.

Can you use an HSA for contacts and glasses?

Yes, you can use a health savings account to pay for eye exams, contacts, and glasses with pre-tax dollars. As with FSAs, you can stack HSA benefits on top of insurance benefits. 

HSA funds can roll over from year to year, so there's no panicked "use it or lose it" medical spending spree required. HSAs are also interest-bearing, which means your unused funds help earn you a little money on the side. Contribution limits in 2025 are $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families. 

What it costs you to use an HSA

HSAs offer some great long-term perks, but they're not a fit for everyone. You have to have a high-deductible health insurance plan to contribute to an HSA. 

Here are a few other things to consider:

• You manage your HSA account, which means you're responsible for tracking expenses to avoid penalties. In short: Paperwork — you're going to have to do some.

• Depending on your HSA provider and how your account is set up, you may deal with investment risks or fees.

• Some HSAs have better rates and fees than others, so you may want to shop around for options.

Best ways to cover the cost of optical care

When it comes to saving money on glasses, contacts, and eye exams, you've got options. And the good news is that it's not vision insurance vs. FSA vs. HSA in a fight to the death — some of these options work well together.

Here's the TL;DR:

• Vision insurance helps cover basics like eye exams and either glasses or contacts each year.

• FSAs let you set aside pre-tax dollars to cover what insurance doesn't, but you have to use it before the deadline or you lose your funds.

• HSAs also use pre-tax dollars and let you roll funds over year-to-year, but they must be coupled with high-deductible insurance plans.

If you’ve got a valid prescription from your eye care professional, you can use your insurance, FSA, or HSA funds to order the exact brand of contacts you were prescribed. 

Did you know you can order contacts online? 

Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!