Buying your contact lenses online is a great way to save money. You can save even more by using your workplace benefits. Many Canadians have a Health Spending Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through their employers.
You can use these accounts to buy your contact lenses at VisionPros. Here is what you need to know to use your funds before they expire.
What Can I Use My Health Spending Account for in Canada?
A Canadian Health Spending Account covers a wide variety of medical items that your standard provincial health plan or regular extended health policy does not pay for. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) decides which expenses qualify.
You can use your HSA funds for major categories like dental cleanings, fillings, braces, and prescription medications. It also covers visits to licensed healthcare professionals like chiropractors, physiotherapists, and optometrists.
Vision care is fully covered under these rules. You can use your account to buy prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, and laser eye surgery.
Are Contact Lenses Covered by Canadian HSAs and FSAs?
Yes. The CRA guidelines state that prescription vision care is an eligible medical expense.
This means you can use your HSA or FSA funds to pay for:
- Prescription contact lenses (daily, weekly, or monthly)
- Toric lenses for astigmatism
- Multifocal contact lenses
- Prescription solutions and cases
The only rule is that the lenses must correct your vision. Cosmetic or colored contact lenses without a prescription do not qualify for reimbursement.
What Is the Difference Between an HSA and an FSA in Canada?
People often mix up these two accounts because they sound similar, but they operate differently under Canadian group benefit plans.
An HSA is an employer-funded account. Your company puts a specific dollar amount into the account for you each year. You can spend it on any CRA-approved medical expense.
An FSA is usually funded by you through automatic payroll deductions. You choose to put away pre-tax dollars from your paycheck into this account to pay for expected health costs throughout the year.
How to Buy Your Contact Lenses Using Your HSA/FSA Account
There are two main ways to pay for your contact lenses with your health account.
1. Use an HSA or FSA Debit Card
Some employers give you a specific benefits debit card. If you have one, you can use it just like a regular credit card at the VisionPros checkout. The funds will come directly out of your account. Always keep your digital invoice from VisionPros afterward. Your benefits company might ask you to upload it later to prove what you bought.
2. Pay Out of Pocket and Get Reimbursed
If you do not have a benefits debit card, you can use your normal credit card or PayPal account to complete your purchase. Once your order is complete, VisionPros will email you an official receipt. Log into your benefits portal, fill out a claim form, and upload the receipt. Your provider will deposit the money back into your bank account.
Watch Out for Deadlines
It is important to check your specific policy deadlines.
Many group benefit plans run on the calendar year. This means your funds might reset on December 31. Other plans run on a fiscal year based on when your company started the policy.
Most FSA plans have a “use it or lose it” rule. If you do not spend the money before the deadline, you lose those funds completely. HSA plans sometimes let you roll over your money to the next year, but there are still limits on how long you can save it.
Can You Coordinate Benefits with Your Spouse’s Plan?
Yes. If your own health insurance plan does not cover the full cost of your contact lenses, you can use your HSA to pay the remaining balance.
If you are covered under a partner’s traditional benefits insurance plan, you must send the claim to their insurance company first. Once they pay their portion, you can submit the leftover unpaid balance to your HSA. This allows you to get 100% of your money back for your contact lens purchase.
What Documents Do You Need to Keep?
When you buy from VisionPros, you will get an itemized receipt. Make sure to download and save this file. A proper receipt for your claim must show:
- The date of your purchase
- The name of the patient
- A description of the item (such as contact lenses)
- The total amount paid
You do not usually need to submit your physical eye prescription to your insurance company. However, you must have a valid prescription from a licensed Canadian optometrist to order the correct lenses.
Buy Your Contact Lenses at VisionPros Canada Today
Do not let your hard-earned benefits go to waste. Check your current HSA or FSA balance today. You can stock up on your annual supply of contact lenses at VisionPros and use your pre-tax dollars to cover the cost. We carry all major brands and ship directly to your door anywhere in Canada.
References:
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): Medical Expenses Guide (RC4065) – Vision Devices https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/rc4065/medical-expenses.html
Government of Canada: Eligible Medical Expenses You Can Claim on Your Tax Return https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-can-claim-on-your-tax-return.html
