End of FSA Season. What to buy?

It is becoming the end of the year, and rather than the government get our Flexible Spending Account (FSA) money, we are buying first Aid Preps with what we got left.

We usually buy (bandaids and other stuff) from FSA Store (http://fsastore.com/) because they keep up on what is authorised and it is direct to our door.

What I want to do, is reach out to those who have first aid experience, and ask for suggestions on "Must Haves" for anyone's preps as far as bandages, gauze, etc.

If you could not get this stuff anymore, what is very versatile for beyond "bandaid" wounds, that would be very helpful.

I want to concentrate on things that do not have a shelf-life per-Se.

FSA? I didn't think anyone still fell for that crap. Don't they offer you an HSA?

Anyhow, as to your original question, I got nothing. Sorry.

[Beer]

Well I usually buy condoms and contact solution with the left money in my FSA so I'm not really sure what to tell you as far as bandages. I'm curious to hear what others have to say.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ray1970

FSA? I didn't think anyone still fell for that crap. Don't they offer you an HSA?

Anyhow, as to your original question, I got nothing. Sorry.

[Beer]

---

Well yeah.

Those who do not know what FSA is: For those of us who have medical expenses that aren't covered by health insurance (Military does not have very good Dental or Optical insurance for dependents.) My significant other, has Flexible Spending Account, through her employer which she elects a certain amount of her income every year to be tax free, for medical expenses. This money if not used throughout the year goes to the government if not used. You can use it on various medical treatments, as well as supplies (gauze, band-aids etc.) I don't want that left-over money to go to the government, so it will be utilized in shelf-stable prepping supplies.

Hence why I am looking for ideas on what to purchase. for first aid stuff.

Triangle bandage
Compression bandage
Gauze
Iodine
Penicillin
Alcohol
Peroxide
Ankle braces
Knee braces
Butterfly bandages
Burn salve
Drawing salve
Razors
Ace bandages
Eye patches
Saline rinse.


I'd have to sit down to think of more.

Bellco offers a Health Savings Account that rolls over year to year, and is not tied to your provider in case you change. Even though it is not through work, you can still contribute to it tax free.

Bellco CU... That sounds like a better deal than what she has now. However she still has money to spend, if she doesn't, it goes to the Obama Administration, for re-distribution.

I just looked at our bank USAA, and It seems they offer an HSA.

Sorry I couldn't help with your original question. I think it is a good idea. Research what you can buy though. We were denied any over the counter stuff one time trying to buy Nightquill.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Irving

Sorry I couldn't help with your original question. I think it is a good idea. Research what you can buy though. We were denied any over the counter stuff one time trying to buy Nightquill.

---

That is why I like the website I mentioned in the OP. It shows all the items authorized with and without a prescription. Haven't had a problem with the site in 3 years, although two years ago they took a lot of the OTC medicines off the approved list. Now you can just get first aid stuff. I also noticed at places like Walgreens, they put what is FSA approved on the shelf tag.

From my research last night (as far as I could tell anyway) FSA money actually goes to the employer, not the gov. Could be wrong on that.

Either way, they can't have it. [ROFL2]

Thanks for the link to that FSA store, didn't know you could get all that stuff. Usually I just stock up on contact lenses with the leftover $$...

I've been trying to figure out if stuff like israeli bandages, tourniquets, etc. would be FSA/HSA eligible, but haven't found any info on that. Too bad FSAStore doesn't have those things.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ray1970

FSA? I didn't think anyone still fell for that crap. Don't they offer you an HSA?

Anyhow, as to your original question, I got nothing. Sorry.

[Beer]

---

Fell for it? I guess it depends on what you use it for. I opted into an FSA for the first time last month; I'm going to use for laser eye surgery next year. Saves me a hell of a lot in taxes versus just paying cash that has already been taxed once.

Curad Silver Solution. Antimcrobial gel. Get some. It will kill MRSA!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ray1970

FSA? I didn't think anyone still fell for that crap. Don't they offer you an HSA?

Anyhow, as to your original question, I got nothing. Sorry.

[Beer]

---

Uh yeah. I used every penny I put into my FSA this year around the end of October. It's a good way to save money on federal income taxes if you know you're going to spend the money. With all of my wife's prescriptions and dental issues, I wish I could put MORE into FSA.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BushMasterBoy

Curad Silver Solution. Antimcrobial gel. Get some. It will kill MRSA!

---

Silver is good for burns, my mom is in foodservice and she swears by it. How is the shelf-life on it?

Burn creams and antibiotics are only FSA eligible expense with a Rx. I'll still add it to my preps and daily use though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jeff350

I've been trying to figure out if stuff like israeli bandages, tourniquets, etc. would be FSA/HSA eligible, but haven't found any info on that. Too bad FSAStore doesn't have those things.

---

Ohh that would be awesome if they were FSA eligible. First Aid Kits are eligible!

I will have her check to see if the Adventure Medical kits are Eligible. I have a Promotive account and get them at a substantial discount.

blow out items are not on the approved list though you may be able to substitute something. I usually laugh at the OSHA approved boo boo kits they call first aid.

Any bandages without adhesives would be pretty stable. Anything packaged with a Mylar lining would be good for about 10 years.

Wulf, Blow out items?

She called her FSA rep at work, and they said Adventure Medical Kits are authorized. I would hate to spend 3-4 hundred on a couple kits for the car come to find out they won't reimburse them. The receipt I would get does not say it is any significant discount or on sale at all.

I would by a.....

12 pack
8 shooters of 101
6 snickers bars.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rbeau30

Wulf, Blow out items?

---

Compressions bandages, tournequates. Most of the first aid items for gunshot wounds that go in blow out kits. IFAK's VOK's etc.

Without knowing what your needs/stocks/storage facilities are it's hard to make any specific recomendations

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wulf202

Compressions bandages, tournequates. Most of the first aid items for gunshot wounds that go in blow out kits. IFAK's VOK's etc.

Without knowing what your needs/stocks/storage facilities are it's hard to make any specific recomendations

---

Ohh, THAT kind of Blow out. My mind was in a different place. Those are the items I am lacking. Especially in each of the personal kits. If they are not authorized, I will have to peice some together of my own devising.

This is what I have. My goals are to be able to have a tuff-box with general medical supplies for just in case there are none more to be had. Also while having items that will provide general infection prevention as best I can.

Item _____________ Specifications __________ # of Packages
Tampons _________ 36 per box multi-pak _____ 11
Latex Gloves ______ 100 med gloves __________ 2
Cottom Balls ______ 200 balls ________________ 2
Gauze Pads _______ 4" x 4" 12 ply 100 pads ____ 2
Gauze Pads _______ 2" x 2" 12 ply 100 pads ____ 2
Rolled Gauze ______ 2" x 2.5 Yards ___________ 10
Paper Surgical Tape _2" x 10 Yards 6 Rolls _____ 2
Elastimull Elastic Gauze Bandage NOT STERILE 2" x 4.1 Yards 12 count 2
Oral Thermometer
Band-Aid _________ 1.16" x 2.16"Advanced Healing Blister 6 Each 10
Curad adhesive bandages Plastic band-aids 3.25" x 2 7/8" 80 count 4
Ace Elastic Bandage _ 3" wide ________________ 8
Ace Elastic Bandage _ 6" wide ________________ 2
Carex Universal Arm Sling 1 per box 30 cm ______ 2
Nasalcease ________ 5 per box _______________ 4
First Aid Water proof Tape 1/2" x 10 Yards ______ 10

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rbeau30

Ohh, THAT kind of Blow out. My mind was in a different place. Those are the items I am lacking. Especially in each of the personal kits. If they are not authorized, I will have to peice some together of my own devising.

---

I'll throw out some ideas but there are no easy ways to build that kind of kit with the success rates those items have. I can show you how to macgyver some stuff together but it'd be a disservice to rely on that. A cat or swat or tk4l and an izzy are very cheap additions, if you don't have them forgo something else to get them.

Goodburbon's list is a good start except the eye patches. I'll edit this later to add some stuff from the site you posted.

edit in no particular order;
iodine ok at wound disinfecting and water treatment (make sure you have no allergies)
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wal...091180-product
alcohol much better at disinfecting but not fsa
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wal...056572-product
pedialyte oral re-hydration should be covered but not listed?
http://www.walgreens.com/store/brows...1&overlay=true
butterfly type closures
http://fsastore.com/Curad-Butterfly-...ea-P21773.aspx
moleskin blister treatment, for maintaining mobility
http://fsastore.com/Dr-Scholls-Moles...-ea-P4014.aspx
knee brace again maintaining mobility
http://fsastore.com/Bell-Horn-Knee-W...ea-P13576.aspx
ankle brace maintaining mobility. we find the corset type ones to be the best for rolled ankles.
http://fsastore.com/FLA-Orthopedics-...Ea-P13557.aspx
ab pads and maxi pads
http://fsastore.com/Tena-Serenity-Ul...f-4-P9036.aspx
bp cuff and steth, diagnostic tools, the steth can be separated
http://fsastore.com/OMRON-11-200-Adu...ue-P15385.aspx
better steth
http://fsastore.com/3M-Littmann-Sele...ch-P15392.aspx
uti over the counter treatment
http://fsastore.com/AZO-Cranberry-Su...-ea-P4997.aspx
insect repellent and sun block
http://fsastore.com/Bull-Frog-Mosqui...oz-P17972.aspx
wound gel
http://fsastore.com/Amerigel-Wound-D...Oz-P13301.aspx
wound wash
http://fsastore.com/Wound-Wash-Steri...-oz-P3712.aspx
female urinal, if there's no medical supplies it's a safe bet there's not enough water to flush
http://fsastore.com/Carex-Health-Fem...-ea-P8706.aspx
benydryl, ibuprophen and aspirin
2032 batteries, my red dot uses these.
http://fsastore.com/Duracell-Battery...PK-P17466.aspx

Wulf, You are an asset to the community, thanks for your time to put together some suggestions, I had not even seen the Iodine, or the urinal, that is a good idea. 2032 batteries! Awesome.

Couple of other ideas for you would be something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IDFUYC/
http://www.amazon.com/Surgical-Instr...dp/B008TH7PIG/

With this kit, my wife (an RN who's worked in surgery, ER, pediatrics, etc) can take a care of most medical stuff and many emergencies if TSHTF. Good stuff to have around. We also have a good supply of medications which we rotate to keep them fresh.

You might also look at these threads for ideas:

http://www.ar-15.co/threads/56633-Med-kit-trauma-bag
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/54181-belt-medical-kit
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/20317-First-Aid-kits
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/69143-ST...-contents-v1-1
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/61148-Me...ies-group-buys

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Omicron

Couple of other ideas for you would be something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IDFUYC/
http://www.amazon.com/Surgical-Instr...dp/B008TH7PIG/

With this kit, my wife (an RN who's worked in surgery, ER, pediatrics, etc) can take a care of most medical stuff and many emergencies if TSHTF. Good stuff to have around. We also have a good supply of medications which we rotate to keep them fresh.

You might also look at these threads for ideas:

http://www.ar-15.co/threads/56633-Med-kit-trauma-bag
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/54181-belt-medical-kit
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/20317-First-Aid-kits
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/69143-ST...-contents-v1-1
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/61148-Me...ies-group-buys

---

Sweet! thanks Omicron! I'll get right onto reading those threads for ideas.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rbeau30

Sweet! thanks Omicron! I'll get right onto reading those threads for ideas.

---

Happy to help. Be sure to let us know how you wind up spending it. :)

If anyone is going to use the mentioned website: www.fsastore.com use the coupon code "FRIEND5" to get $5 off your order.

My wife and I were trying to decide how to spend the last bit of our FSA account money. Thanks for the idea. She's calling to confirm that I can pick up an Adventure Medical kit or two and then we'll spend the rest at the FSA store.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blacklabel

My wife and I were trying to decide how to spend the last bit of our FSA account money. Thanks for the idea. She's calling to confirm that I can pick up an Adventure Medical kit or two and then we'll spend the rest at the FSA store.

---

Glad I could help! The substantial amount of money went away after we decided to just pay for braces up front. We did have $80 left and I think the FSAstore is a good way to get some preps while utilizing the last bit of that money left in the account.

We got:

gauze sponges
a couple non-electronic non-mercury thermometers
some more rolled gauze
6" elastic bandages
butterfly closures
assorted pack of band-aids

I wanted to keep the stuff as shelf stable as possible (with 3 boys and 1 girl, rotating stock is still a challenge) while concentrating on minor to small wounds to address/dress wounds before infections can take hold.

New Coupon Code if anyone wants to use.

FSAstore2013

$5 off your order of > $50. Good till 15 March 2013 Limit 1 per customer per address.

I loaded up on all kinds of random crap. I also bought a couple of solid first aid kits from AMK.

I wish I was able to do the AMK kits. Braces come first at last minute I guess. :-( Especially with the 45-50% off i get through promotive.