Health Care Flexible Spending Account

Ready to make your money go further? Who isn’t, right? We offer two Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) — the General Purpose Health Care FSA and the Limited Purpose FSA. An FSA lets you set aside pre-tax dollars to help cover eligible expenses. Since you don’t pay federal or state income taxes on your contributions, the FSA helps your money go further.

Who’s eligible

General Purpose Health Care FSA: You can contribute to this FSA if you are not enrolled in the Qualified High-Deductible Health Plan (BCBSIL QHDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA). 

Limited Purpose FSA: If you’re enrolled in the BCBSIL QHDHP with HSA, you can contribute to this FSA.

How it works

Set aside up to $3,400 in 2026 with pre-tax contributions. Your annual election is divided evenly and deducted bimonthly from paychecks throughout the year (no contribution during the third pay period).

Use the funds in your FSA to cover eligible expenses during the calendar year. You have access to your full annual election on January 1.

Swipe with your Optum Financial debit card to pay for eligible health care expenses. If you pay another way, save your receipts, and submit them for reimbursement (auto sign-on with SSO | log in) by March 31 of the following year.

Carry over a portion of unused funds. You can carry over $30–$550 in unused funds to the next plan year. Any remaining balance under $30 or over $550 will be forfeited at the end of the plan year.

Use it or lose (most of) it!

Be sure you use the funds in your HCFSA or LPFSA during the current calendar year. You can carry over $30–$550 of your unused balance into the next plan year, but you will need to submit eligible incurred claims by March 31 of the following year.

Eligible expenses

What you can buy with your FSA funds depends on which FSA you contribute to.

General Purpose Health Care FSA: Qualified health expenses include doctor visits, prescription medications, dental and vision care, medical equipment, and some over-the-counter health items. 

Limited Purpose FSA: Qualified expenses are limited to dental care and services (cleanings, fillings, orthodontia, etc.) and vision care and services (exams, prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, etc.).

For a full list of eligible expenses, visit Optum Financial (auto sign-on with SSO | log in).

Take a deeper dive

From helping you calculate how much to contribute to your FSA to uploading receipts and filing claims, the Optum Financial FSA website offers all the tips and tools you need to make the most of this tax-advantaged account.