Then, make sure you offer supplemental benefits to complement these offerings. For example, a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) can help women employees and eligible dependents achieve their health goals by bridging the gaps in your health plan coverage and allowing them to pay for services and products that can alleviate hormonal changes and support health needs like fertility, postpartum care, and maintaining hormonal balance. It might surprise you and your employees to learn that women can use tax-free FSA and HSA funds to pay for their health needs, regardless of their age or stage of life. Some of the surprisingly eligible women's health expenses include:

Menstrual care products. Women in the United States spend an estimated $3 billion a year on menstrual care products. Fortunately, an FSA and HSA can help alleviate this burden, as necessities like tampons, pads, period underwear, period cups, and products to relieve pain and bloating can all be purchased with tax-free FSA and HSA funds.
Fertility treatments and support. Achieving a healthy pregnancy can be an emotional and expensive journey. FSA and HSA funds can help cover expenses like clinical fertility treatments and drugs, as well as over-the-counter fertility test kits, ovulation testing kits, pregnancy tests, and fertility treatment programs.
Support for a healthy pregnancy. There is little that an expectant parent thinks of more than having a healthy pregnancy. FSA and HSA funds can be used to purchase things like prenatal vitamins, over-the-counter heartburn medicine, drug-free pain relief products, and even a handheld fetal doppler device.
Postpartum essentials. Everything new moms need to jump-start recovery after delivery, including postpartum underwear, perineal cooling pad liners and cooling foam, instant ice maxi pads, and a toilet top storage container. Red and infrared LED light therapy devices are also eligible, and have been found to deliver gentle heat that helps repair wounds and restore vaginal health for new mothers.

Hormone testing supplies. Over-the-counter kits and supplies to test and monitor hormones that indicate if a woman is in perimenopause or menopause, or that influence fertility, are also FSA- and HSA-eligible.
Menopause relief. It's estimated that 75% of women experience hot flashes, which can leave them visibly sweating and uncomfortable during the work day. Devices like a hot flash relief wristband can help women employees maintain a comfortable body temperature and mental focus throughout the workday.
Hormone replacement therapies. Prescription hormone replacement therapies are covered by FSA and HSA funds, as well as homeopathic products designed to relieve hot flashes, mood changes, and to maintain digestive health, which can cause bloating, cramping, and discomfort during menopause.

As HR professionals, you can bring added value to your workforce by educating employees about benefits that can help women manage and improve their health. Understanding how tax-free FSA and HSA funds can be used throughout the year to support individual and family health not only empowers employees, but it can help them save money in a time of continued inflation and cost increases.

Instant Insights /

Empower women employees to manage their health with tax-free funds

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