Is getting and staying healthy one of your goals this summer? Luckily, if you have a medical expense account, you may be able to save some money doing it. That’s because there are some great products that you can buy with those pre-tax dollars.

Medical expense accounts allow you to set aside pretax money to pay for certain health products and services.¹ Two common types, which you typically get through your employer, are a flexible spending account (FSA) and a health savings account (HSA).

So, what can you use your health accounts to pay for? You can pay for common health expenses such as copayments and prescription medications. (Copayments are a fixed amount you pay for health services.)

You can also pay for thousands of other qualified medical expenses. And while you’ll find a lot of products women often purchase, you’ll also find a bunch for men too. Here are a few to put on your list.

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1. Sexual health products

If you’re sexually active, condoms are one way to help stop unwanted pregnancies. Condoms may also protect you against sexually transmitted infections (diseases that are spread through sexual contact with another person). You can buy condoms with your FSA or HSA dollars.

But they’re not the only sexual health products you can buy with your health account. Here are three other items:

1. If you need to regularly check your testosterone, you can use your FSA or HSA to pay for at-home tests.
2. If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), your FSA/HSA can also come in handy. You can use either account for ED treatments, such as the prescription Sildenafil.
3. You can also use it to help pay for a vasectomy or for surgery to reverse a vasectomy if you’re planning a family. A vasectomy is a form of birth control for men that stops sperm from leaving the body. In fact, aside from cosmetic surgery, many medical operations are eligible expenses.²

Confused about medical expense accounts? Check out this episode of Until It’s Fixed to learn more.

2. Digestive remedies

Do you like steak, salmon or burgers on the grill? Do you like them spicy? Fatty meats and spicy foods can cause symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.³ And that can be no fun for you or your stomach.

Thankfully, you can use your FSA or HSA funds to buy popular stomach and digestive remedies, including:

• Antacids (for indigestion)
• Antidiarrheal medicines
• Heartburn relief

Your health account can also help you pay for medicine to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which 20% of Americans will have at some point in their life.⁴ GERD happens when the contents in your stomach come back up into your esophagus (the tube that carries food or drink from your throat to your stomach).⁴ Your FSA/HSA dollars cover both prescriptions such as lansoprazole and over-the-counter medicines.

3. Pain relievers

Over the weekend, it feels great to go for a hike, tackle a big landscaping project or go to the park with your family. But your favorite activities may become less enjoyable when you overwork your muscles.

That’s the perfect time to grab your FSA or HSA card, which can help you pay for a huge assortment of pain-relief products, including:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Migraine medicine
• Patches
• Acupressure cushions and balls

You can buy these men’s health and wellness products and more at the Optum Store — all from the comfort of home. Start exploring.

4. Skin care products

A good skin care routine is important. There are many products that help keep skin clear and healthy too.

Are you struggling with acne? Acne can be pimples in any form, such as whiteheads, blackheads and cysts. Cysts are deep pimples that are often red and inflamed.⁵ And stress can make acne worse. It’s more common in adults than you might think.⁶

You can grab a facial acne wash with your FSA or HSA dollars. It will clear dirt from your skin and treat acne at the same time.

Sunscreen is another important step in your skin care routine. And you can buy it with your FSA or HSA dollars. Use a broad-spectrum product with an SPF of 30 or above.⁷

That’s because if you spend any amount of time outside in the sun this summer, you could be raising your risk of skin cancer. It’s the most common form of cancer, and it affects 1 in 5 Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.⁷

The good news is that you can do a lot to fend off skin cancer. Start by limiting your time in the sun. You can also wear protective clothing. And of course, there’s sunscreen.

Many sunscreens are also water resistant for an hour or more. That’s a great option if you’re sweating it out on the pickleball court or going for a morning run.⁸

Use your HSA/FSA to save on thousands of health expenses, from medical copays to pain relievers. See if your health expenses qualify with our free medical expense tool.

5. Mobility devices

Maybe you were getting in a workout at the gym. Or playing with your kids at the park. Then, suddenly, you were on the floor, holding your knee.

Nobody wants an injury that takes them off their feet. But if you’re going to have knee surgery, you may need a wheelchair, walker or crutches for your recovery.

Luckily, your FSA or HSA dollars can help. There’s a variety of mobility aids that are eligible expenses.

Have health care expenses that didn’t make our list? They could still be eligible. To find others, use the Optum Financial qualified medical expense tool.

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