The 10 Best Prepper FSA-Eligible Items
If you are scrambling to use up your Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account funds by the end of the year, don’t leave money on the table! Boost your preparedness with prepper FSA-eligible gear that can help you in emergencies.
Of course, OTC and prescription medications are eligible and great to stock up on- but what about the rest? Plenty of medical and preparedness gear is also eligible, making it a good idea to stock up before you drop any ‘use it or lose it’ funds.
We went ahead and listed the best FSA-eligible items for preppers (beyond medications) in order of cost.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
Our latest update of the Best Prepper FSA-Eligible Items adjusted prices and added recommendations. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
10 Prepper FSA Items
While prescriptions and doctor visits are great for flexible spending accounts, if you happen to have some leftover funds, there are some interesting options you can grab, so you don’t just lose the money. We have a range of common-sense medical supplies, to some gear you may not have even realized was FSA/HSA eligible. Everything in our list is organized by price, so you can make sure you spend every last dollar to avoid losing them.
Band-Aid Bandages
Band-Aids are first aid kit staples, but it’s a lot easier to stomach the cost of upgraded Band-Aids when you are using FSA funds about to expire.
These skin-flex models hold on through thick and thin- making them great for survival kits, putting on joints, and for active people.
Sunscreen
Many people don’t realize that sunscreen is FSA/HSA eligible. It’s also the perfect time of year to stock up, as they are on sale throughout most of the winter.
Sunscreen is often overlooked when it comes to prepping and survival, but it is an important part of many types of survival kits and loadouts.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
N95 Masks
Stock up on N95s now that the pandemic is over. They are still useful for future pandemics, particulate protection, and prepper projects around the house.
This 20-pack is on sale, making it a pretty good deal to use the rest of your HSA funds on. It is also the best-performing mask for survival kits in our N95 mask review.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Pulse Oximeter
Oxygen levels are important to monitor, and an inexpensive pulse oximeter is always a good addition to a medical kit.
It’s great when you’re dealing with complications from viruses, infections, and knowing when you need to get help or supplied oxygen.
It also helps that it’s currently on sale, further stretching your dollars:
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Electrolyte Powder
We reviewed electrolyte powder not that long ago and came up with this as the top pick, so it’s nice to see that it is FSA-eligible.
When you become dehydrated or want to stave off dehydration, you need something that works fast, and Liquid IV will get you there.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
No-Contact Thermometer
A thermometer may not be off your radar, but it’s good to have multiples. They have become even cheaper since mass production created a surplus after the pandemic, and they are one of the least expensive things on our list.
Non-contacts are great for kids or quick reading by multiple people.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Laceration Closures
This three-pack of sutureless wound closures makes tackling deep wounds easier.
They are much easier to use than a suture kit and don’t require practice or training.
Grab them here and spread the 3-pack across your first aid kits:
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Support Insoles
Revitalize your old shoes, or outfit your new survival boots with supportive insoles.
Some brands are not FSA eligible, but PowerStep is, so that makes them worth considering if you need some quality and supportive insoles.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
First Aid Kit
The basic first aid hard case is a staple for car kits and your home. It’s never fun to spend money on something that sits on the shelf, even if it is 348 pieces.
To soften the blow, it’s FSA and HSA approved, so you can spend your use it or lose it funds on one.
It’s also a great gift for anyone who needs a first aid kit starting point, and it’s nice that it’s on sale as well:
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Medical Kit
A medical backpack with plenty of versatile gear isn’t hard to find, but this one is chock-full of quality essentials.
It’s no surprise that it is FSA/HSA eligible since it is a full first aid kit- but it’s nice that it comes in a quality bag and is organized with survival in mind.
It’s on sale right now, which always helps:
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Emergency Antibiotics Kit
If you have plenty of money left over, consider getting an emergency antibiotics kit. It requires filling out a questionnaire and meeting with a Teladoc, so you’ll need to jump on this one to get your order in before the year ends.
As the top pick in our antibiotic kit review, it’s a great prep that everyone could use, which becomes an even better value when you use at-risk FSA funds.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Fully-Stocked EMT Kit
An EMT kit covers all the bases and comes in an organized, durable duffel. Tackle every emergency with the confidence of a first responder with over 250 types of gear to assist with a huge range of medical emergencies.
With this kit, all you’ll need is to be sure you’re trained to use all of the gear inside, as you’ll have plenty of resources.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Typically Eligible Prepper Gear
Not all flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts are the same. Some are more strict than others. Everything we listed above is listed in the SIGIS Eligible Product List. The retailers also tag them so you can conveniently see that they are approved for health benefit reimbursement.
Some companies go beyond the SIGIS list, though, so it’s worth checking with your provider to see if they allow this other gear that is typically covered. Because it’s not universally covered, we listed them out separately for simplicity.
Premade Bug Out Bag
Yep, you can get an entire pre-made bug out bag with FSA funds (usually- check with your provider). Uncharted Supply has a list of FSA-eligible gear on its site, making it easy to get great gear with leftover funds.
This kit is no dog either- it earned our upgrade pick when we reviewed premade bug out bags, and it can help you get prepared quickly with quality gear.
It also helps that it’s currently on sale, further stretching your dollars:
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Eyeglasses
Medical devices, like eyeglasses and hearing aids, are usually FSA-eligible. Having extra glasses, in particular, is a smart move for your survival kits. Contact lenses are also usually covered, but are less ideal for emergencies.
Medication
Over-the-counter pain medicine is inexpensive and comes in a selection of quantities, making it a great option to squeeze those extra dollars out. When I am trying to just use up a few last dollars, they are usually my go-to. Antihistamines, antibiotic ointment, and prescription meds are all solid choices too when you have spend-or-lose funds available.
Maximizing your FSA/HSA
Most FSA and HSA programs have a rollover amount, so you don’t need to spend all of your funds before the deadline.
For instance, my Flex Savings Account was for $3,200 but has a $500 rollover that I don’t have to spend to increase my next year’s FSA by that amount. If I elect the same amount next year, but leave exactly my rollover amount in this year’s account, I’ll have access to $3,700 in my FSA next year.
The problem is that hitting that number exactly is tough. Anything beyond $500 left in my account is lost to me, which is not a wise financial decision. Instead, I spend the FSA funds on medical and prepping supplies until I have just under $500 left in the account at the end of the year.
Your rollover amount may be different than mine, so check that and your balance to see if you need to spend more and turn in receipts by the end of the year. Usually, the purchase only needs to be made, and there is a grace period for turning in your paperwork.
The Final Word
Okay, we went a bit past 10 suggestions, but there are plenty of things to stock up on before you drop tax-free money at the end of the year. Make sure you check with your provider on specific eligibility and timelines- some of them offer rollover into the next year.
Here are some other lists and guides our readers have found helpful:
- Best Suture Kit for First Aid Wound Closure
- The Best OTC Painkillers to Stock Up On
- Survival First Aid Kit Guide, Gear List, and Checklist
We hope you have a great Christmas and get to spend plenty of time with your friends and family. We are looking forward to getting back to some nuts and bolts articles about prepping.
Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
Prepping Your Way
No judgement and no imperatives. Prepare the way you want to with the trusted source millions of modern preppers have relied on.Our newsletter fires out every Monday where you can expect:
- Practical prepping guides and tips
- Thorough survival gear reviews
- Noticeably absent spam and popups
- < 0.4% of people unsubscribe
i’d be careful stocking up on sunscreen. a couple years ago i bought sunscreen on clearance after season at dollar general. i used it the next summer and it didn’t work and i got a sunburn. i guess it loses its effectiveness over the winter. this was a good informative article, makes one think.
Good point. Sunscreen is supposed to have a shelf-life of at least three years, but you don’t always know how long it’s been on the shelf already or how it’s been stored. They should have expiration dates on them- pretty sure its an FDA requirement now.