FSA Eligible Items Walmart In 2026 (Your Complete Guide)
Hey there! If you recently got a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) from your employer, you might be wondering how to use it. This handy guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using FSA funds at Walmart in 2024.
I‘ll explain what an FSA is, show you how to spot FSA-eligible products, and give tips for using your FSA card in-store or getting reimbursed online. I‘ve also included some statistics around FSA usage and expert advice to help you maximize your savings. Let‘s get started!
What is a Flexible Spending Account?
A Flexible Spending Account (also called an FSA) allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to pay for eligible healthcare expenses throughout the year.
The money you contribute to an FSA is deducted from your pay before any taxes are taken out. This helps you save money by reducing your overall taxable income. It‘s like getting a discount on qualified medical products and services!
Any FSA funds that you don‘t use by the end of the plan year are forfeited, so it‘s important to estimate your expenses carefully when deciding how much to contribute. The limit for FSA contributions in 2024 is $2,850.
According to statistics from the Employment Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), the average annual FSA contribution is $511 per person. And less than half of FSA participants carry over any unused funds to the next year [1].
So be conservative when making your election so you don‘t lose any hard-earned money!
FSA-Eligible Products at Walmart
Walmart carries a huge selection of FSA-eligible health products including over-the-counter medications, diabetic care supplies, feminine hygiene items, and more.
I‘ll break down the key categories so you can easily spot which products you can pay for with your FSA.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Medicines like pain relievers, cold and flu treatment, and digestive aids can all be paid for using your FSA. Here are some top options at Walmart:
- Pain relief: Ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin
- Cold and sinus medicine: DayQuil/NyQuil, Sudafed, cough drops
- Allergy medicine: Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl
- Heartburn relief: Tums, Pepto-Bismol, Prilosec OTC
- Anti-diarrheal medicine: Imodium A-D, Pepto-Bismol
- First aid: Bandages, gauze, antiseptic sprays, hydrocortisone cream
According to EBRI, over-the-counter medicines make up around 9% of total FSA spending [2]. So it can really pay off to use your FSA at Walmart‘s extensive medicine department.
Diabetes Care Supplies
If you have diabetes, you can use FSA dollars on your needed care supplies including:
- Blood glucose meters, test strips, and lancets
- Insulin syringes, pens, or pump supplies
- Ketone test strips
- Lancet devices and replacement lancets
Diabetes-related products account for 5% of FSA spending on average [2]. Walmart‘s everyday low prices on these essentials can help you stretch your FSA further.
Vision and Hearing Care
FSAs cover more than just medicine. You can also pay for:
- Reading glasses or sunglasses
- Contact lens solution and supplies
- Ear wax removal kits
- Batteries for hearing aids
Vision care accounts for about 5% of FSA spending [2]. And up to $2,500 can be set aside pre-tax for hearing expenses in some plans, so stock up on these qualified products.
Personal Care Items
Your FSA can be used on certain personal care products like:
- Denture adhesives, repair kits, and cleansers
- Menstrual care items including pads, tampons, cups
- Incontinence supplies such as protective underwear and pads
- Pregnancy tests and fertility monitors
- Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
These personal care essentials make up around 6% of annual FSA spending [2].
Baby and Child Care Products
Once you have kids, your FSA becomes even more useful! It can cover:
- Thermometers, teething gels, diaper rash creams
- Baby monitors and safety items
- Nursing pads, breast pumps, milk storage bags
- Baby bottles, sippy cups, and pacifiers
- Nasal aspirators, bulb syringes, nasal saline spray
Baby care accounts for around 5% of FSA spending, while child dental care is another 3% [2].
And don‘t forget – over-the-counter kids‘ medicines are also FSA-eligible.
How to Identify FSA-Eligible Items
Wondering if a certain product is covered by your FSA? Here are some tips:
- Look for the FSA logo on product packaging – this indicates it‘s been approved.
- Check receipts for eligible items marked "FSA" or "FSA Eligible."
- Scan products using the FSAstore Mobile App which confirms eligibility.
- Refer to the eligible expense list from FSA Store.
- Check with your employer‘s FSA administrator if you‘re unsure.
When shopping at Walmart, browse the FSA section of their website to easily find qualified products.
Using Your FSA Card at Walmart
When you enroll in an FSA, you‘ll get an FSA debit card to make it easy to pay for eligible purchases. Here are some tips on using it:
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Activate your card as soon as you receive it to start using the funds right away.
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Your FSA balance is usually available at the start of the plan year.
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The card works just like a regular debit card – simply swipe and select "credit."
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You‘ll likely need to provide your FSA ID number when checking out.
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Save all receipts in case you need to verify purchases later.
Using the FSA Card In-Store
To use your FSA debit card at Walmart stores:
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Shop for eligible healthcare items. Take them to checkout when ready.
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When prompted for payment, swipe your FSA card first.
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The system will automatically deduct the FSA-eligible purchases using the full amount available on your card.
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If any items don‘t qualify for FSA (like groceries), just pay for those separately with another payment.
It‘s a seamless process – the Walmart checkout system identifies FSA-qualified items, so the cashier doesn‘t have to separate them. Super convenient!
FSA Card for Online Orders
While Walmart accepts FSA cards in-store, their website does not support FSA card payments for online orders as of 2024.
If you want to purchase FSA-eligible products online at Walmart.com, you‘ll need to pay another way like with a credit card. You can then submit the receipt to get reimbursed from your FSA (more details on that below).
Hopefully Walmart will integrate online FSA payments soon to make the online shopping experience easier!
Getting Reimbursed for Walmart Purchases
If you buy FSA-eligible items online or happen to use a non-FSA payment in-store, you can get reimbursed from your account.
Here‘s the process:
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Keep the receipt from your Walmart purchase. This will show the products bought which serves as your claim documentation.
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Submit the receipt along with an FSA reimbursement form to your plan administrator, often through an online portal or mobile app.
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Your administrator will review and confirm the amount of FSA-eligible purchases.
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Once approved, the reimbursement amount will be deposited into your bank account or sent by check.
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Retain the receipt and claim documentation for your records in case you ever need to provide verification.
Be sure to submit reimbursement requests within your plan‘s filing deadline, usually within 90 days of purchase.
Reimbursements can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks to process depending on your specific plan so you can get access to your FSA dollars.
What if You Don‘t Use All Your FSA Funds?
Since FSA funds are "use it or lose it", you‘ll forfeit any money left unspent at the end of the plan year. The unspent balance can‘t be returned to you.
According to EBRI data, the average forfeited amount is $127 per person [3]. That‘s money wasted, so you want to avoid it!
But there are two ways to redeem leftover funds:
1. FSA Rollover
You may be able to roll over up to $570 to the next year‘s FSA. Unused money below that amount rolls over automatically. This gives you extra time to use the funds.
2. FSA Grace Period
Some plans offer a grace period of up to 2.5 months to use up the previous year‘s balance. So if your plan year ends Dec 31st, you may have until March 15th to spend leftover FSA money.
Check with your employer‘s specific policies. But rollover and grace periods help reduce forfeitures if you don‘t use the full FSA election.
A Few Final Tips
As you start using your new FSA, keep these tips in mind to avoid hassles and fully maximize the savings:
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Activate and use your FSA card right away to access funds.
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Save all receipts in case you need to show validation for purchases.
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Submit online reimbursement requests as soon as possible after purchase.
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Check if you have access to rollover or grace period allowances.
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Carefully calculate contributions based on your expected healthcare expenses.
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Pick conservative FSA contribution amounts to minimize forfeitures.
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Check Walmart‘s FSA section for eligible products before buying.
And if you have any other questions on how FSAs work or how to use those pre-tax dollars, your employer‘s benefits representative can help explain further.
Get excited about the savings – FSAs help you keep more money in your pocket on healthcare costs. Now you can shop at Walmart with confidence and maximize the value of your FSA!
Hope this guide gives you a better understanding of how to use your FSA for health purchases. Happy shopping and take care!
