Hellobee Boards

We usually always get the full amount. If we don't use it by the end of the year, we get extra glasses or contacts since insurance only covers so much. We've also bought some things like first aid kits, thermometers (I'd give the nice in-ear one as a gift to new moms!), etc.

If you have your doctor write a prescription for exercise or prenatal vitamins, those can be covered too!

So we always find ways to use it if we have extra leftover, but I know we didn't the year our son was born!

You actually don't need a script for prenatals to be covered.

I usually get about 1/2 the limit, but I only use it for myself. I ran out this year because I hadn't forseen get KU and miscarrying and all the expense of that.

Usually I budget for my regular doctors appointments and allergy treatments (which are OOP since I get drops instead of shots). I've only had one or two years that I was under, and I went to the FSA section on drugstore.com to make up the difference.

I elect for about $1500. I account for

Usually my daily prescription medication
copays to doctors ($15 a visit)
Labs ($15 for lab visits)
Eye appointments (I wear glasses and contacts)
Contacts
Solution for contacts
Glasses
DD's training pants

I usually have some money left over ($100 or so) so I buy an extra pair of glasses, sunblock, bandaids at the end of the year.

This past year was my first year opting into a FSA, and I only did $200. We used it up in about 1.5months on copays. But, man I loved it! LO #1 is due in June. I think I will do at least $1,000 since it covers both mine and DH's copays, and will then cover LO. I just don't see us using $2500 since we already will only pay $150 for a hospital birth.

@LindsayInNY: They have brochures on their website, and I also called to confirm. I have federal insurance, and so far they've been really transparent on what you get and how much it's going to cost.

@dc yoga bee: The hospital's website or the insurance?

We did the max, and for the first time, we've blown through it all.

@dc yoga bee: Ahh. Yours is fixed rate based. What I saw said 10 or 20% coinsurance after deductible is met. But I don't know what the underlying cost will be! Makes it hard to budget for!

@dc yoga bee: We were/are on an EPO plan now which is co-pays but nothing else - no deductible, co-insurance, etc. Unfortunately they're eliminating it as an option for next year DH's lowest deductible plan is $300 though which isn't too bad.

@dc yoga bee: Except it's just over $5,00 a year in premiums! So that's how we're paying for it.

@MaryM: did that change recently? When I was pregnant 2011/2012, they didn't reimburse the prenatals without very detailed prescription from my provider.