FSA/HSA Plans for Allergy Services
Environmental allergies are a common ailment that affects approximately 50 million Americans every year. Whether you suffer from year round or just seasonal allergies, 
you may be able to use your tax-free FSA/HSA funds to help you save money on education, testing, and treatments. If you struggle with allergy symptoms—itchy eyes, congestion, and non-stop sneezing—you know how tough the spring and summer months can be. Over-the-counter drugs can help, but sometimes these remedies aren’t enough. As you compare options, you may notice the hefty price tag. Luckily, your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) may offer some savings to your allergy relief.
What Exactly is an FSA or HSA Health Care Plan?
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are medical savings accounts with tax benefits, designed to allow you to set aside pre-tax savings to go towards your treatments, healthcare and other medical expenses.
Can I Use My FSA/HSA Plan for Allergy Testing?
For the majority of healthcare plans environmental and food allergy testing is an eligible FSA/HSA expenditure, meaning they allow the tests as a qualified medical expense. To make sure you're covered, we recommend getting in touch with your provider to confirm your inclusions.
A qualified medical expense is defined in IRS Publication 502 as the cost of treatment, cure, diagnosis, mitigation or prevention of a disease. The expense must be used principally to prevent or help ease the symptoms of a physical/mental illness or disability in order to meet the criteria for HSA and FSA. Environmental sensitivity tests work to identify allergic triggers that may cause discomfort and allow you to avoid or mitigate the exposure. Similarly, food sensitivity tests identify digestive issues so you can alter your diet to try and prevent things like bloating, nausea and stomach cramps.
Other Allergy Related Questions?
Our team wants to help you make the most out of your benefits before they expire on January 1st. Visit our FAQ page for more insight, or find an Allergy Center near you by clicking here.
Football, Food, and Fall Allergies
Fall has arrived and so have shorter days, cooler weather, and football season! Unfortunately for some, football, food and fall allergies go hand in hand. This is especially true in the southern and western regions of the US where some weed allergens peak in the fall. The idea of sneezing and wheezing with itchy, watery eyes while watching a game or practice can be dreadful. Perhaps more concerning is visiting major sports venues if you or a loved one have food allergies.
Outdoor Allergies
It is common to check the weather forecast to plan for warm or cool temperatures when attending sporting events. . A good habit may be to also check the local pollen counts in the area. Keep in mind that peak pollen times are typically in the first half of the day (specifically 5am 10am). Attending practices or games midday, in the afternoon, or in the evening may help to reduce exposures.
Avoidance for Fall Allergies
If you have a future MVP of your own, packing some wet wipes could be helpful. Wiping down their hands, face and neck can combat those distracting allergy symptoms when out on the field. Also, verify any allergy medication they take will not make them drowsy during their practice or game. Non-sedating medication options or allergen immunotherapy may be worth discussing with their provider.
After practices or games, changing out of the clothing worn while participating or spectating can help alleviate allergy symptoms. Also helpful is an immediate shower, particularly before crawling into bed. Showering will help to wash away any allergens that have adhered themselves to your skin or hair. This is especially important to keep them out of the immediate space and air you breath in all night.
Food Allergies
If food allergies are a concern, planning ahead can alleviate a lot of anxiety and allow for a smooth trip. Always make sure to carry a minimum of two epinephrine auto injectors if one is prescribed to you or a loved one. Make sure the epinephrine autoinjector is carried in a way it can be accessed and administered within 60 seconds of a need arising. The Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization recommends “to reach out directly to the venue to learn more about their efforts” in regard to additional steps they may be taking to ensure your family’s safety at the game.
Food Allergy Tips
Some suggested topics to cover when you contact the venues are:
- Availability of allergy friendly games, sections, or suites
- Is power washing utilized for seating, and traffic pathways at the stadium?
- Are ingredient lists available upon request at the concessions?
- Policy for bringing in safe meals and snacks
- Locations for emergency responders
Planning and communication make it possible to avoid fall allergies and enjoy football season. Communicate with family, friends, coaches, players, and venues, and create a plan that is right for your family. However, missing out on football season does not have to be part of that plan. If you or your loved ones are not quite sure if allergies are playing a roll, or if the allergy medication is just is not cutting it, consider contacting your provider and discussing allergy testing and starting allergen immunotherapy.
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Amanda Hofmann, MPAS, PA-C, is a graduate of Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, PA. After spending 8 years in clinical practice, she joined United Allergy Services where she is currently the Vice President of Clinical. Amanda is also the past president of the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
United Allergy Services is also on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. See other interesting and related articles on the UAS Blog.
Ragweed and Fall Pollen Allergies
Back to school season is here! Shorter days, crisp, cool evenings, and beautiful fall foliage are on the horizon. This time also marks the onset of weed pollination and the resurgence of allergy symptoms that may have taken a vacation in the hot, dry July heat. The meteorological calendar says fall begins September 22nd, but weed pollen, the main culprit of the sniffles and sneezes during fall allergy season, is already here!
Pollen Offenders
Towards the close of summer, weeds start to pollinate. Weeds grow all summer, but their pollen is usually not released until later in the growing season. This can vary year to year but typically starts mid to late August. Ragweed, cocklebur, lamb’s quarters, pigweed, dock sorrel, English plantain, and sagebrush can all cause fall allergy symptoms and are widely spread across the U.S.
Specifically ragweed pollen is the predominate culprit of allergy symptoms from August through October, peaking on average in mid-September. Ragweed is one of the major drivers of allergy symptoms and releases huge amounts of pollen each and every day. The pollen produced by ragweed is small and light. It is released in large quantities into the air and carried for miles by the wind. Nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy eyes are typically caused by wind-blown pollen which is easily spread for miles and miles.
Other Pollen Types
Goldenrod, which blooms at the same time that ragweed does, is instead insect-pollinated and therefore is not a significant allergen for most individuals. Insect carried pollen is produced by plants that have bright and attractive flowers. This kind of pollen is typically large and heavy, sticks to insects, and is transported during flight fertilizing other plants. These bright flowers are commonly thought to be allergy offenders, however because they do not release much pollen into the air they are not as likely the culprit of allergy symptoms.
Manage Symptoms
Checking local pollen counts is helpful to anticipate the level of exposure on any given day. Pollen counts are determined by collecting pollen on special rods. The pollen is then counted under a microscope and calculated in grains per cubic meter of air. Pollen counts tend to be the highest early in the day, or often when the wind picks up just before a large rainstorm. If you like dancing in the fall rain, or jumping in rain puddles, however, you are in luck. During a rainstorm and immediately following, pollen becomes still and dormant because the rain makes it damp and heavy. As the air becomes warmer and drier following the storm, however, the pollen count will rise again.
Pollen Avoidance
Those with weed pollen allergies should try to avoid heavily dense wooded areas or those with brush and shrubbery. These areas should be especially avoided in late August when pollen is the most dense and abundant. Pollen counts are never zero, nor will an allergy sufferer truly be able to avoid weed pollen in the late summer and early fall. However, contact may be lessened by taking simple steps to avoid pollen overload:
- Utilizing the air conditioner or heater
- Keeping the windows and doors at home and in the car closed
- Utilizing the dryer rather than the fresh breeze to dry clothing
- Changing clothes after coming in from being outdoors
- Shower prior to getting into bed or laying on upholstered furniture
These easy steps will help to decrease pollen exposures. Also, one benefit COVID-19 may bring allergy sufferers, is that wearing of some masks will help to minimize the amount of pollen reaching the nasal passages if being worn in outdoor settings.
Get Tested
If someone is unsure whether weed pollen is a trigger for their back-to-school nasal congestion, runny nose, post nasal drip, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes, taking an allergy quiz or seeing their provider for an allergy test may provide the clarity they are looking for!
Amanda Hofmann, MPAS, PA-C, is a graduate of Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, PA. After spending 8 years in clinical practice, she joined United Allergy Services where she is currently the Vice President of Clinical. Amanda is also the past president of the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
United Allergy Services is also on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. See other interesting and related articles on the UAS Blog.
Back to School Action Plan for Allergies and Asthma
As the final days of summer break come to a close, families everywhere are preparing for children to return to school. Whether this is the first year a child is heading to school or the last, it is an exciting time for both children and parents. It can, however, also be a time of anxiety for a parent worried about a child’s asthma or allergy conditions. Below are some ways to prepare and communicate these concerns, and back to school excitement.
Make a Plan
Schedule an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider in the weeks leading up to the first day of school. During this appointment, discuss overall heath as well as specifics regarding allergies, food allergies, or asthma. This is also a great opportunity to request that the healthcare provider refill any asthma or allergy medications. The provider can complete medication permission forms required by the school nurse during your visit. It is important the school nurse can quickly and easily confirm the medication you provide is:
- non-expired
- prescribed for your child
- has clear directions on when, how, and how much to take
This is also the time to request your provider complete any additional forms required by the school. Examples are asthma action plans, anaphylaxis action plans, and food allergy alert plans with avoidance and substitution information. If your child is in their first year or is entering a new school, it is important to contact the school nurse directly. Also, if your child has complex requirements or action plans, you should visit with the school nurse yearly about their daily requirements. The nurse can discuss accommodation options available for children at the school. Other important policies to discuss include asthma inhalers, epinephrine auto injectors, classroom parties, field trips, and cafeteria rules.
Classroom Action
The classroom can be a source of exposure for children with allergies to dust mites, mold, and animal dander. Communicate with your child’s teacher about allergy triggers for their symptoms and what common symptoms to look out for. Don’t forget to ask if the classroom will have a resident pet. If so, what type of animal and any requirements that the pet come home with your child may be important. It is also important to understand if the school has air conditioning or if windows are typically opened on nicer days. If windows must be opened, then you can prepare your child accordingly with additional symptom control medication.
During your initial meeting with the teacher, you can begin setting appropriate expectations. Discuss things such as asthma action plans and any potential limitations for recess or physical education. Also, anaphylaxis action plans for food or stinging insects and any food avoidance requirements should be covered. You will feel confident knowing both the school nurse and teacher are fully informed of your child’s needs. The school nurse and teacher should have a consistent plan for where inhalers and epinephrine auto injectors are stored. Also confirm that there is a plan for administration of medication in a time of need. It is a good idea to ask about substitutes or classroom aides/parent volunteers confirm they are made aware of your child’s needs.
When to Stay Home
During a regular year it is often a challenge to decide when it is or is not appropriate to send a child to school with cold-like symptoms. That can be even more complex for a parent if your child has allergies or asthma. In this unique time when COVID-19 is still a major focus, another layer of complexity is added.
For children with asthma, it is safe to attend school with mild wheezing that occurs infrequently and is quickly resolving with the use of albuterol. However, it is appropriate to keep your child home from school if:
- they experience difficulty sleeping due to respiratory symptoms
- require albuterol every 4 hours to relieve them of things like wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness
- have respiratory symptoms that are failing to resolve with albuterol use
Make sure to always inform the school nurse and the child’s teacher of any recent asthma exacerbations and how it was treated. Communicate any continued treatment if applicable.
If your child has an allergic reaction, make sure to inform the nurse. Also update the nurse on the allergen trigger if known, how the reaction was treated, and any ongoing treatment.
Wishing all the children a safe, healthy, and prosperous new school year!
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Amanda Hofmann, MPAS, PA-C, is a graduate of Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, PA. After spending 8 years in clinical practice, she joined United Allergy Services where she is currently the Vice President of Clinical. Amanda is also the past president of the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
United Allergy Services is also on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. See other interesting and related articles on the UAS Blog.