Consumer Tips

The best FSA eligible items to buy before the end of the year

Union Plus Content Team

July 22, 2026

An FSA is a type of health account in which you set aside pretax dollars to pay for certain medical and health expenses, and it’s a great tool to help offset the cost of health care.

What are some FSA eligible items?

Massage guns: A massage gun can help relieve tightness in your muscles, increase blood flow, relieve stress, and improve soreness after a workout.³ You can buy one with your FSA dollars, (but you may need a physician’s note when purchasing it).

Some smaller massage devices also offer vibration therapy in an easy-to-hold size, and they can help massage away pain hot spots in your feet, knees, and neck.

Light therapy products: If you’re experiencing pain in your hands from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), you’ve probably applied heat to it for some relief, and red light therapy is also being investigated as a way to relieve CTS, ankle, and knee pain.⁴

Light therapy pads are FSA-eligible, and they may help ease achy muscles and stiff joints, as well as sports injuries, arthritis and numbness or pain from nerve damage (neuropathy).

First aid kits: Outdoor activities are a great way to get exercise and relieve stress, but being prepared for them is a must. When you’re away from home, it’s important to have first aid supplies on hand.

You might already have your own first-aid kit, and you can certainly buy adhesive bandages to add to it with your FSA.

Sunscreen: Sunscreen is important to wear in any season. It helps protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. 

Skin care items: Sun exposure isn’t the only issue that can affect your skin. From acne to eczema (a skin condition that causes an itchy, dry rash), your body’s biggest organ can really take a beating.

You can use your FSA dollars to buy items such as acne medicine, lip balm and moisturizer. Acne body wash can help fight acne breakouts while preventing skin dryness, or you could try an anti-acne light therapy device. It uses light therapy to soothe inflammation and reduce future acne flare-ups.

Blood pressure monitors: Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, and many of them don’t know it. Left untreated, it may lead to heart attack and stroke, which is why knowing your numbers is so important.

Your healthcare professional can check your blood pressure at their office, but you can too if you use your FSA funds to buy a smart blood pressure monitor. They’re accurate and easy to use, and some can even send your results to an app on your smartphone.

Gut care items: You might occasionally enjoy foods such as burgers or spicy chili, even if they give you acid reflux. You can also use your FSA funds to buy medicines that help relieve heartburn.

You can use FSA dollars to stock up on OTC medicines that can provide relief for various stomach issues, including constipation, stool softeners, and bulk-forming laxatives.

Have healthcare expenses that didn’t make this list? They could still be eligible for purchase through your FSA. Check with your insurance provider for a complete list of eligible FSA items.