Now is the time of year when many consider what benefits coverage they will need in the new year, including vision care needs like exams, glasses or contacts. But it’s also time to consider what you may need covered before December of this year, and how to apply your 2025 Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
These account funds can pay for certain healthcare services and dependent care expenses, but funds will not roll over into the new year, so patients should make purchases before Dec. 31. Patients using FSA funds with Carle Health for their vision needs can apply them to exams and medical devices.
“At the Champaign Carle Optical Shop, FSA can be used to purchase glasses, contacts, readers, sunglasses, frame-only purchases, lens-only purchases and other medical items,” Kimbery Shaw, office coordinator, Carle Optical Shop, said. “FSA can also be applied to Bruder masks, a type of heat mask used to treat dry eyes.”
When purchasing frames through the Carle Optical Shop, a virtual try-on tool is available for patients to “try on” some of the available products. Patients upload or take a photo of the face and apply a graphic of the frames to the photos to see how they will look. This tool also includes a wish list feature where patients can save the frames they want to purchase. When the patient arrives in-person at the shop, the team will use the wish list to pull the frames for the patient, saving them time.
“It’s important to plan for your eye health and think about what your care needs may be in 2026. Savings plans can help you budget for annual needs,” Shaw said. “And for eye care, they can be put towards prescriptions, equipment and what might not be covered or would be paid for out-of-pocket.”
“Your coverage may have changed since last year, so our team can help put your savings plans or insurance plans towards what you need this year and in 2026,” Shaw said.
For those choosing a new health insurance provider for 2026, Carle Health has a central site for clarity and connection when selecting a plan with the coverage benefits most important to you. At ChooseCarleHealth.org, patients have access to information about plans available in their region to keep them connected to their care teams.
This site also has resources and tools to assist patients in finding information about Medicare Advantage plans that partner with their trusted providers. Patients can also contact the Carle Health Patient Accounts Center with additional questions about insurance or personal accounts at (217) 902-5690.
The Optical Shop and their team of certified opticians are the best way to find eyewear that meets you or your family’s vision needs, before the end of the year. For more information, visit Carle.org.
These account funds can pay for certain healthcare services and dependent care expenses, but funds will not roll over into the new year, so patients should make purchases before Dec. 31. Patients using FSA funds with Carle Health for their vision needs can apply them to exams and medical devices.
“At the Champaign Carle Optical Shop, FSA can be used to purchase glasses, contacts, readers, sunglasses, frame-only purchases, lens-only purchases and other medical items,” Kimbery Shaw, office coordinator, Carle Optical Shop, said. “FSA can also be applied to Bruder masks, a type of heat mask used to treat dry eyes.”
When purchasing frames through the Carle Optical Shop, a virtual try-on tool is available for patients to “try on” some of the available products. Patients upload or take a photo of the face and apply a graphic of the frames to the photos to see how they will look. This tool also includes a wish list feature where patients can save the frames they want to purchase. When the patient arrives in-person at the shop, the team will use the wish list to pull the frames for the patient, saving them time.
“It’s important to plan for your eye health and think about what your care needs may be in 2026. Savings plans can help you budget for annual needs,” Shaw said. “And for eye care, they can be put towards prescriptions, equipment and what might not be covered or would be paid for out-of-pocket.”
“Your coverage may have changed since last year, so our team can help put your savings plans or insurance plans towards what you need this year and in 2026,” Shaw said.
For those choosing a new health insurance provider for 2026, Carle Health has a central site for clarity and connection when selecting a plan with the coverage benefits most important to you. At ChooseCarleHealth.org, patients have access to information about plans available in their region to keep them connected to their care teams.
This site also has resources and tools to assist patients in finding information about Medicare Advantage plans that partner with their trusted providers. Patients can also contact the Carle Health Patient Accounts Center with additional questions about insurance or personal accounts at (217) 902-5690.
The Optical Shop and their team of certified opticians are the best way to find eyewear that meets you or your family’s vision needs, before the end of the year. For more information, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Staying Healthy
Tags: Account, Benefits, Care, Coverage, Eye, Flex, Ophthalmology, Optical, Optometry, Shop, Spending, Vision