FORT WORTH, Texas -- Time is running out to spend your money -- if you're one of the savvy workers who socked cash into a tax-free account for health expenses this year.

Many employees have until March to empty any money remaining in their employer-sponsored use-it-or-lose-it flexible spending accounts for health care. And some participants face an earlier deadline of Dec. 31.

If you don't want a chunk of your money to slip back into the account administrator's clutches, there are lots of ways to use whatever is left.

Many items on your favorite pharmacy's shelves, from bandages to rash creams, can qualify for reimbursement.

You can stock up on everyday medicines or make a visit to the dentist or eye doctor. And don't forget the money you've already spent this year. Scan your checkbook and credit card statements for any previous medical bills that you may have forgotten to submit.

"Most people are pretty good about estimating items that their benefit plan doesn't cover, but they're going to be getting anyway," said Eric Bassett, a principal in the Dallas office of human-resources consulting firm Mercer. "So they budget accordingly."

Aimed at reducing the price of health care, FSAs are offered by 81 percent of employers, according to the most recent data from Mercer. But only one-fifth of eligible workers take advantage of the accounts.

On average, employees contributed $1,261 last year to the accounts. They forfeited 4 percent of that money by failing to spend it all in time, Mercer found.

Employers offer the accounts to workers to set aside pretax dollars for eligible expenses.

The money comes out of employees' paychecks, and it is reimbursed to them as they pay for medical bills.

Some companies arrange for workers to get automatic reimbursements for certain expenses, while others require employees to submit forms and receipts.

The money has to be spent during the calendar year, although many employers offer a grace period until mid-March.

Although individual employers can tailor their flexible spending accounts, an array of expenses, including many over-the-counter treatments, are typically covered. Among them: bandages, birth-control pills, blood-pressure monitors, carpal tunnel wrist support, condoms, contact lenses and eyeglasses, dental treatment, diaper-rash ointment, doctors bills, eye surgery including Lasik, head-lice treatment, laxatives, nicotine patches, pregnancy test kits, prescription medicines, psychiatric care, rubbing alcohol, sleeping aids, thermometers and weight-loss programs ordered by a physician

However, you can't tap your FSA for these: deodorant, hair transplants, gym dues, lip balm, maternity clothes, medicines from other countries, nutritional supplements, sunscreen, teeth-whitening products, toothpaste and veterinary fees.