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Getting started with your general health FSA

Learn how you can maximize your general health flexible spending account

Updated over 5 months ago

A general health FSA is the most common flexible spending account. It's a financial arrangement that enables employees to pay for qualified healthcare expenses with tax-free dollars.

Eligibility

It's simple to have a general health FSA; your employer just needs to offer it!

Some important notes about FSAs and HSAs:

  • You or your household can't have a general health FSA and a health savings account (HSA) at the same time, as they cover the same expenses.

  • You or your household can have an FSA with a more limited purpose (dependent care or dental & vision) and an HSA.

  • You can have a general health FSA and a more limited purpose (dependent care or dental & vision) FSA.

Limits

Total Maximum Employee Contribution

Max Employer Contributions

Maximum Carryover Limit

2024

$3,200/yr

Up to $500 → $1:$1

$640

2025

$3,300/yr

Up to $500 → $1:$1

$660

Note on Employer Contributions

Employers can make up to $500 in nonelective contributions to a health FSA to preserve the plan's excepted benefit status. If an employer's contribution matches employee contributions, employers can contribute more than $500.

Employer contributions do not count toward the maximum contribution limit.

While there is a general maximum carryover limit for FSAs, it is up to your employer to decide if they will allow carryovers. Some employers may choose to allow up to a two-month extension to the FSA spending deadline instead of allowing rollovers.

Language Note

You may also see "rollover" in reference to "carryover." Same thing.

Eligible expenses

A general health FSA can be used for many eligible expenses. Here are some helpful resources:

Ineligible expenses

Insurance premiums or costs for temporary continuation of coverage (TCC) cannot be paid with FSA funds; however, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for your health plan can be.

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