Flexible spending accounts can't be used to pay for concierge membership fees

Flexible spending accounts are operated by employers

Unlike health savings accounts, which can be opened at banks and credit unions, FSAs are employer-owned and operated—meaning you can only access an FSA through an employer benefit, and the account doesn't follow you if you move jobs. To use an FSA to pay for a medical service or product, purchases typically have to be uploaded, approved, and then employees can be reimbursed.

Explore a list of surprisingly FSA-eligible wellness products

Flexible spending accounts can be used to cover medical expenses, but those funds can also be used to purchase wellness items or services, like bandages or contact solution. The general guidance for what's FSA eligible is any expense that is designed to diagnose, cure, mitigate, or treat a medical condition. HSA funds can often be used to cover the same expenses. (Some users may experience a paywall.)

As healthcare costs have increased post-COVID, critics have been skeptical about the real impact HSAs/FSAs have had in alleviating medical expenses

Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts are designed to be tax-advantaged ways for people to save money on healthcare and medical expenses. But one recent study found that HSAs can increase families' total out-of-pocket spending on healthcare by more than $500 per year.

Concierge services are one of the top medical costs retirees fail to factor into their planning

One of the unexpected medical costs retirees are facing is thousands of dollars a year for concierge care membership fees. A typical annual fee can average $3,500. Concierge care is an option that's particularly popular among older adults with more complex health needs and in some areas of the country doctors are increasingly turning away Medicare patients and only accepting new patients willing to pay annual fees for concierge medicine. (Some users may experience a paywall.)

Primary care doctors are converting into membership-based concierge practices

Subscription-based practices sometimes don't accept insurance and they also require annual membership fees which can add up to thousands of dollars per year. In return, patients are promised more personalized care and round-the-clock access to medical providers. As doctors transition to concierge care, this retainer-based medicine model is forcing people to choose between searching for new primary care providers or paying hefty fees.

HSA spending spikes early in the year, while FSA spending peaks in December

Because health savings accounts are designed to alleviate high upfront costs for people with high deductible health plans, the majority of HSA spending happens early in the year. However, around 10% of flexible spending account funds are used in December—right before the use it or lose it deadline.

What is a dependent care FSA?

Dependent care flexible spending accounts allow people who care for someone incapable of self-care to save pretax dollars to support the dependent person. However, there are stipulations. For instance, anyone seeking a dependent care FSA must be able to claim the individual as a dependent on their income taxes. Read more about dependent care FSAs here.

HSAs are frequently criticized for exacerbating inequality in healthcare access

Health savings accounts offer large tax advantages, but require personal contributions. Some argue that the tax advantages benefit wealthy individuals more than anyone else and that HSAs don't do much to help people who can't afford to regularly contribute to one. As a result, HSAs only decrease costs for those who can comfortably invest in them, and health inequalities between high-income and low-income individuals are exacerbated.

Watch a breakdown of tax breaks most Americans don't know about

Programs like healthcare savings accounts or flexible spending accounts are tax-free accounts that are designed to help lower healthcare costs. However, many Americans don't use them and don't understand how they work.

Virtual care—telehealth—is a significant component of concierge medicine

Telehealth—a central plank of concierge medicine—can widen the gap between the rich and the poor since lower-resource individuals may have less access to technology and encounter other access issues.

American Express runs on a 'spend-centric' model, using perks and merchant fees to drive profit

American Express cardholders tend to spend more money per transaction than other credit card users, which makes the interchange fees merchants have to pay to accept American Express cards worth it while incentivizing other companies to pay the interchange fee as well.

Fees can eat away at your 401(k)

Every investment plan has an expense ratio—a percentage of the total assets that goes to the investment manager in the form of fees. Because 401(k) plans are so common, and many of their participants are not savvy investors, the relative expense ratio for them has often excessively increased.

There are two main types of 529 plans

One type of 529 plan, prepaid tuition plans, can only be used to pay for tuition. The other type, college savings plans, can also be used to pay for related education expenses, including room and board. One key advantage of a prepaid tuition plan is that it locks in tuition prices. Both types have limited options for non-educational uses.

Six bills experts say you shouldn't put on autopay

Autopay has plenty of benefits, such as helping to avoid late fees and streamlining your bill paying process. But some experts say there are a few types of bills that you shouldn't autopay, especially if you're not confident you can pay these bills in full each term. The list includes utility bills and annual subscriptions. Read the full list here.

Hedge funds, the private investment firms that trade a wide swath of financial assets, make money by imposing steep fees on investors and from the fund's investment performance.

Freestanding emergency departments are growing increasingly common

These satellite emergency rooms, though not yet approved in all states, are helping meet the need for emergency services beyond a hospital setting. But from an insurance perspective, they are considered emergency rooms—not urgent care. Freestanding emergency rooms grew tenfold from 2001 to 2016.

Homes in areas increasingly prone to natural disasters often aren't covered by private insurance

Instead, they're often covered under insurance plans of last resort, known as FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) plans. However, as more and more homes become covered by FAIR, the program is facing strain. This interactive visual helps explain the new problems FAIR is facing.

16 credit unions with almost no membership requirements

One of the hallmarks of credit unions is that they tend to be exclusive. For instance, one of the largest credit unions only does business with Boeing employees. However, this roundup introduces 16 credit unions that have practically no membership requirements. Interested customers may need to guarantee $5 minimum deposits and in some cases, make a donation to an affiliated charitable organization.

Group therapy is not the same thing as a support group

Group therapy, facilitated by a licensed therapist, is typically covered by insurance or involves a fee. Support groups are often peer-led and usually come with no cost.

Medicare does not pay for GLP-1 for obesity

Coverage for GLP-1s for obesity treatment is limited. It's barred under Medicare, and it's only covered under Medicaid in 13 states as of January 2026, since states can choose whether to cover weight-loss drugs under Medicaid. Coverage with private insurers also remains limited.

How couples today manage their finances

In relationships, shared bank accounts used to be the default. Not anymore. Many couples maintain separate finances for practical reasons or to retain greater independence, though many couples experience trust issues as a result. This article checks in on the status of relationship finances and highlights, among other insights, how attitudes toward money are often determined by family history.

Learn how budget airlines provide customer savings

No-frills airlines, like Frontier and Spirit, are popular for providing customers with a much cheaper alternative to flying. However, many budget airlines rely on baggage charges and extra fees, which can sometimes make it just as expensive as flying on a mainstream airline.

How dentistry evolved from carnival sideshow to respected medicine

The field, which has remained siloed from other medical care, also has a separate insurance system. This podcast walks through how and why dental insurance often remains capped at $1,500 primarily to cover cleanings, and it wouldn't cover catastrophes—unlike many other medical or housing insurance models.

Calculate how much of your tax dollars go to each federal program based on your income, filing status, and number of children

The responsibilities of family offices range from managing assets to coordinating travel

Family offices provide a broad swath of services to ultra-high-net-worth individuals that help the family maintain their wealth for generations.

A lot of what consultants do all day is intentionally kept a secret

Consulting firms also often keep their clients private to maximize the sectors they’re able to secure contracts for and avoid any perceived conflicts of interest.

The Constitution gives Congress sweeping control over the federal budget

Article I, Section 8's Spending Clause authorizes Congress to tax, pay debts, and promote the "common Defence and general Welfare," making it one of Congress's most powerful tools—and the constitutional foundation of federal budget control.

Despite being favored by 87% of Americans, Congress does not have term limits.

Telehealth demand for GLP-1s for weight loss is booming as consumers seek easier access.

US consumers collectively owe more than $1T to credit card companies—almost as much as they owe in auto loans.

Up to a million Girl Scouts sell about 200 million cookie boxes every spring, generating $800 million, largely because refusing a child is frowned upon

About 2,000 US babies are born annually without some portion of their limbs, potentially leading to a lifetime of pricey prosthetics.

A Yale student wrote a profound essay about the consulting industry's influence on elite college students that was published in a book of her writing after she died in a post-graduation car accident.

Doctors differentiate between a phobia and fear by asking patients whether their fear interferes with their day-to-day activities.

The first steps to rebuilding your credit score include getting to know exactly what's on your credit report and figuring out how far you are from the '700 club,' or 'good score' range.

Firework or sparkler burns, even if they cover a relatively small area of skin, can significantly affect our range of motion.

SpaceX's S-1 or 'prospectus' revealed many previously unknown details about the company, including its unprofitability despite doing $18.7B in revenue in 2025, exactly how many voting shares Elon Musk will have in the company (roughly 85%), and more.

Cultural norms about how to handle the bodies of loved ones in communities in West Africa have hampered Ebola responses.

Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed the SC Johnson headquarters in Wisconsin, aiming to make a cathedral-like workplace

Hurricanes, which rely on air consistently spinning in the same direction, cannot cross the equator because air curves in opposite directions north and south of it.

An investigation suggests a Scottish island became awash in forever chemicals via seafoam and seaspray—raising questions about what that means for the safety of other coastal areas.

How fusion—which releases energy when two lighter atoms combine to form a heavier atom—differs from fission

SpongeBob exemplifies Aristotle's philosophy for living well because he understands that happiness doesn't come from external factors like money, recognition, or power.

Planarian flatworms are small, aquatic worms with exceptional regenerative capabilities. When cut, the worms can regenerate multiple bodies in a matter of weeks.

Take a 3D tour of the Hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, undertaken by over 1.5 million Muslims.

Studies suggest when you sleep is as important as how much you get, and syncing with your circadian rhythms may lead to less fatigue and improved long-term health outcomes

Objects can be 3D printed with light by projecting 2D computerized tomography (CT) scans onto rotating cylinders of resin, which solidify upon exposure.

Before humans, the Soviet Union and the United States sent animals—including apes, dogs, and cats—to space during the Space Race.

The 1987 Nintendo video game 'Stadium Events' isn't known for being particularly fun, but its scarcity has made it a highly sought-after item that has sold for up to $35K at auction.

'Saturday Night Fever,' the 1977 film that introduced disco to the mainstream, was based on a fabricated magazine story.