Use It or Lose It: The Best HSA & FSA-Eligible Products to Buy Before Year-End

Summary 

This guide breaks down the best FSA and HSA-eligible products you can buy before the year ends, including everyday essentials and wellness tools that support better health. Learn how to make the most of your pre-tax funds and invest in items that improve your well-being long after the deadline passes.

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There’s a lot to keep track of at the end of the year. Between holiday gatherings, travel plans, and tying up loose ends at work, it’s easy to forget about those pre-tax dollars sitting in your Flexible Spending Account.

One essential to add to your to-do list: Using your FSA funds before they expire at the end of the year. Below, learn how FSA spending works, which HSA/FSA-eligible products qualify, and how to choose items that actually support your health, now and well into the new year.

Table of contents

1. Why You Should Spend Your HSA/FSA Funds Before the Deadline
2. Smart Categories to Shop with Your HSA/FSA
3. How to Check for HSA/FSA Eligibility Before You Buy
4. Key Takeaways
5. FAQs
6. References 

Why You Should Spend Your HSA/FSA Funds Before the Deadline

The end of the year is the perfect time to make the most of your HSA or FSA funds. Most Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) follow the “use it or lose it” rule, meaning any unspent money by December 31 (or your plan’s grace period) may be forfeited. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) funds usually roll over, but it’s still a great opportunity to invest in your well-being. 

Instead of rushing to spend your balance on random first-aid kits or medications, consider products that actively support your health year-round. From sleep and stress relief to fitness recovery and mental wellness, your HSA/FSA funds can go toward tools that help you feel better every day. Think of it less as spending and more as investing in your daily quality of life, so you can start the new year feeling healthier, calmer, and more rested. 

Smart Categories to Shop with Your HSA/FSA 

Not sure which wellness essentials are worth spending on ahead of the year-end deadline? For HSA and FSA spending, think about areas you want to prioritize over the next several months, whether sleep, fitness, stress reduction, or overall health. 

Everyday Health Products

Now’s the perfect time to stock up your medicine cabinet. Health items you use on a regular basis are an easy win to make year-end shopping stress free (and ensure pretty immediate payoff). Before shopping, take stock of what you have and what you need to replace, whether something that’s almost used up, broken, or expired. 

• Over-the-counter meds
• Pill organizers and travel cases
• First-aid kits
• Thermometers 
• Sunscreen (eligible when SPF 30 or higher)
• Contact lens solution 
• Eye drops
• Blood pressure monitors
• Heating pads and cold compresses
• Hand sanitizers 
• First-aid ointments
• Digital scales

Sleep Tech 

Your sleep is one of the wisest investments you can make any time of year. Quality sleep is linked with a variety of positive health outcomes, from improved energy and cognitive function to mental health and stress recovery. 

Studies show creating a predictable sleep routine is one of the best ways to support sleep duration and quality over time. Hatch Restore can help you create a personalized nightly routine that relaxes your mind and body for sleep with soothing light and audio, from guided relaxation and meditations to entertaining podcasts and stories. Wake up gently and boost energy and productivity with a Sunrise Alarm that simulates natural morning light.

The best part? Hatch partners with Truemed to make using your FSA/HSA dollars as easy as possible (and you can save an average of 30% on better sleep in the process).

Stress and Relaxation Tools

Wrapping up one year and starting another can be chaotic and, often, stressful. Consider using your HSA or FSA for products that help you manage mental and physical stress and improve your overall resilience: 

• Acupressure mats
• Heat therapy wraps
• Light therapy lamps
• Weighted blankets
• Essential oil diffusers (with a doctor’s note)
  

Fitness Support

No matter where you are on your fitness journey, you can use your HSA and FSA on tools that help you meet your goals. These items help support mobility, strength, and recovery, all while making smart use of your pre-tax funds:

• Resistance bands
• Massage guns
• Stability balls
• Ergonomic cushions
• Kinesiology tape
• Stability balls and balance boards
• Compression socks or sleeves
• Cold therapy packs

How to Check for HSA/FSA Eligibility Before You Buy

Before adding anything to your cart, it’s worth double-checking whether the item is officially listed as an FSA or HSA-eligible product, so you can be confident it qualifies before you buy. The easiest way is to browse the FSA Store Eligibility List or HSA Eligibility List, which offer up-to-date details on what qualifies and what may require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your provider. If you’re buying from a retailer that accepts HSA/FSA cards directly, you can usually pay at checkout; otherwise, keep your itemized receipt on hand so you can submit it for reimbursement later.

Good news for sleep lovers: Hatch Restore is available through select HSA/FSA-approved retailers, making it an easy and worthwhile addition as you spend your remaining funds before the deadline.

Key Takeaways

• As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to start considering how to use your HSA or FSA funds to meet your health goals and take advantage of pre-tax money. 
• Before spending your HSA or FSA funds, it’s a good idea to consider your personal wellness goals and double-check whether a product is eligible.
• Whether you want to create or reset your sleep routine, fall asleep more easily, or wake up more energized, Hatch Restore is an ideal investment in your well-being all year round.

From sleep to stress relief, explore how Hatch Restore can help you start next year recharged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my HSA or FSA card directly at checkout?

Yes. Most major retailers and online stores that sell eligible products accept HSA or FSA cards just like a debit card. Look for the “HSA/FSA accepted” badge at checkout. If a store doesn’t accept these cards directly, you can usually pay up front, then submit your receipt for reimbursement through your plan provider.

What happens if I don’t spend all my HSA/FSA funds by the deadline?

It depends on your employer’s plan. Some FSA accounts include a short grace period or allow a small amount to roll over, but others don’t. That means unused funds are forfeited after the deadline. HSA funds, on the other hand, usually roll over year to year. Check your account details early so you can plan your purchases before it’s too late.

Are wellness or tech products like Hatch Restore really HSA/FSA-eligible?

Yes! If a product supports medically related wellness needs such as sleep improvement, relaxation, or stress management, it may qualify. Hatch Restore is a smart way to use your remaining funds to support a healthy sleep routine and overall wellness.

References

1. Chaput, J.-P., Dutil, C., Featherstone, R., Ross, R., Giangregorio, L., Saunders, T. J., Janssen, I., Poitras, V. J., Kho, M. E., & Ross-White, A. (2020). Sleep timing, sleep consistency, and health in adults: A systematic review. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 45(10), S232–S247. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0032
2. Chaput, J.-P., Dutil, C., & Featherstone, R. (2020). Sleep duration and health in adults: An overview of systematic reviews. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 45(10), S232–S247.
3. Gao, C., et al. (2022). Sleep duration/quality with health outcomes: An umbrella review. Frontiers in Medicine, 9, 813943. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.813943/