Flex Spending Account (FSA) - Is it really worth it???

I am trying to figure out if it is worth it to have a flex spending account. The plan does not offer a debit card so claims need to be sent by mail. I sent in my claim form with receipt for a prescription on 1-15. I was told on 1-26 that my claim was received. I was told today that my claim was processed (2-15). I was then told the check would be mailed in 2-3 business days and should expect to receive my check in 10 days or so. That is nearly 6 weeks without my money. I know I%26#039;m saving money on taxes but if I have to wait 6 weeks, my money could be earning interest (and for people using their credit card to pay...saving on finance charges!) and save myself the hassle of filling out paperwork, postage, making copies (I%26#039;ve had lost claims) and having to call to follow up on the claim/reimbursement.

Is this normal? I have CIGNA and can%26#039;t believe it takes this long to process a reimbursement.

Flex Spending Account (FSA) - Is it really worth it???unsecured loan

I did Flex Spending for my birth control pills a few years ago. It wasn%26#039;t worth it for me.

Flex Spending benefits people who have massive, foreseeable medical expenses.

My friend is going through fertility stuff. It benefits her. I wouldn%26#039;t do it again for medicine.

Flex Spending Account (FSA) - Is it really worth it???

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I love spend flex, it is so worth it. Use it for glasses, dentist, over the counter medicine or prescription, copay and believe me, you can find a way to spend that money. Report It

|||When I fax in my claim before 11 am on a Thursday it%26#039;s in my mailbox by the following Tuesday. That%26#039;s how quick it works Report It

|||I have a similar situation. It does take a long time to get reimbursed!

I guess you decide whaether it is worth it or not if the amount is small or large. A larger amount makes it worth the hassle with the taxes you save.|||I think it really depends on how many FSA%26#039;s you have (my family has three - one for parking, one for medical, and one for dependent care)...and how much you put into it. For us, it is worth it and the hassle is minimal - a lot more minimal than yours is for you. I simply print a form...fill it out, fax it, and the money is deposited directly to my checking account within a few days. (We set that up ahead of time). Yours sounds like a nightmare. If you are FSAing just a few hundred bucks, its probably not worth the effort...and no, it shouldn%26#039;t take that long for processing.