Stock Up on Wellness Essentials Using Your Flexible Savings Account

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is offered through many employer benefit plans and allows you to set aside pretax money for eligible health care-related, out-of-pocket expenses for you, your spouse and dependents.

Many FSA contracts have a "use it or lose it" policy, meaning you have to use your funds by a certain date before they expire. If you have any funds remaining in your FSA account, don't forget to use them before they expire in the new year!

Not sure what to spend your remaining funds on? Here are some ways you can use your FSA.

• Supplies for your first aid kit. Funke Wishko, MD, with EvergreenHealth Signature Care shares what she keeps in her first aid kit.
• Over the counter medications. From allergies and headaches to cold and flu, having the right medications and medical supplies on hand can mean a world of difference. Jimena Gomez Del Carpio, MD with EvergreenHealth Primary Care, Monroe shares the medicine cabinet essentials you should have on hand.
• Menstrual care products and birth control pills. Yes, there are so many options for birth control, but most are covered through your FSA. Learn how to choose the right birth control for you by listening to Alicia Stone-Zipse, DO on our official podcast series, Check-Up Chat with EvergreenHealth.

If those aren't sparking any ideas, the FSA Store is a great resource to look through products that are essential to your health and well-being.