Health Care Reimbursement Accounts

[KK]

Looking at putting some money into on of these accounts for next year, has anyone here had experiences with them? I'm looking at getting vision correction done and hopefully this will offset the costs alittle. How much should I set aside for the procedure? If you put in too much then you lose any unused money at the end of the year.

 

[TechnoKid]

i thought lasik was considered cosmetic?

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
i thought lasik was considered cosmetic?

I guess the insurance companies see it that way, but evidently the IRS doesn't.

 

[styrafoam]

I know a couple people who have used reserve accounts to get lasik, they spent around $3000 iirc. Go get a consultation before you commit the money, they should be able to tell you how much the procedure will cost. Not everyone can get lasik. One of my friends was unable to get it because his corneas are too flat for the surgery to be effective.

 

[kranky]

Lasik prices are all over the place. In Pittsburgh you can pay anywhere from $300 to $2000 per eye. So you ought to figure out where you are going to have it done first.

Then make sure that your particular HCRA will allow reimbursement for Lasik.

If you expect you'll have other reimburseable expenses next year, put in 100% of the Lasik cost. If you don't expect to have other medical expenses, maybe put in only 90% in case the price goes down by the time you have the procedure done.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: kranky
Lasik prices are all over the place. In Pittsburgh you can pay anywhere from $300 to $2000 per eye. So you ought to figure out where you are going to have it done first.

Then make sure that your particular HCRA will allow reimbursement for Lasik.

If you expect you'll have other reimburseable expenses next year, put in 100% of the Lasik cost. If you don't expect to have other medical expenses, maybe put in only 90% in case the price goes down by the time you have the procedure done.

Yeah, I'd love to get my eyes done for 299 an eye like these place advertise, but nobody gets that price. I was thinking of sticking $1500 in the account just to be on the safe side. I think the max I can stick in is 3000, though I'd hate to have $3000 in the account and then be told I can't have the surgery. I should have made an appointment prior to the benefit enrollment period closing tommorrow.