Spoiler alert: Yes you can! The portion of your child’s dental costs that isn’t covered by your insurance company may be covered by your HSA account.
Plus, since HSA money is untaxed, you can get even greater value from your HSA funds than you would from your typical checking or savings account!
If you’re wondering “can HSA be used for dental” or searching for an HSA dentist, here’s everything you need to make the best decision for your child’s smile (and your wallet!)
What is HSA or FSA?
HSA stands for Health Savings Account, which is a type of savings account that allows you to set money aside (pre-taxed) to be used for qualifying medical expenses. This money can then be withdrawn tax-free and dedicated toward healthcare deductibles, copays or out-of-pocket costs.
HSA funds are tax-deductible, tax-deferred and tax-free! Since HSA money goes into your account untaxed and comes out of it untaxed, this allows you to get even greater value from your HSA funds than you would from your typical checking or savings account.
An FSA, which stands for Flexible Spending Account, is essentially a less-flexible version of an HSA. For example, FSA funds may not be able to roll over to the next year if benefits aren’t used by the end of the year. FSAs are also owned by your employer, whereas HSAs are personal savings accounts.
Does HSA cover dental?
It sure can! In fact, any dental treatment deemed medically necessary can be considered a qualified expense for your HSA.
Most dental expenses are medically necessary and may be covered by your HSA funds. Qualified medical expenses include:
Expenses that aren’t qualified for HSA coverage include treatments that aren’t medically necessary, like teeth whitening treatments.
Do HSA funds roll over to the next year?
Yes, unlike FSA accounts, all money in an HSA account rolls over to the next year. If you have a healthcare FSA from your employer that does roll over, you’ll only be able to carry over about $570 from your 2022 contributions to 2023.
If you have an FSA, it’s a good idea to use those funds before the year ends in order to receive the maximum benefit! We encourage you to schedule an appointment with the Kids Smiles team to get the treatment process started and make the most out of your 2022 FSA!
How do you use HSA for dental?
The steps you’ll need to take to apply your HSA funds to your dental costs will depend on your HSA specific provider. However, there are a few common ways to access or redeem your savings.
- Use your HSA debit card or benefits card. When you open your HSA, you typically receive a debit card attached to your account to access your funds. You can use this benefits card like you would a traditional debit card, but only for healthcare expenses. If you use the HSA debit card method, you can simply swipe your card to use your HSA for dental.
- Write a check from your HSA. Nowadays, checks are not as common as debit cards for HSAs, but if you prefer to use a check to access your funds, you will receive a checkbook linked to your account. You can then write a check the same way you would a traditional check to cover medical expenses.
- Complete an online payment to your dentist. Online payments have proven to be one of the easiest routes for using HSA funds. With many HSAs, you can send money directly to your dentist, like you would with a traditional bank account. HSAs can be linked similarly to bank accounts.
- Get reimbursed. If you don’t have enough money accrued in your HSA, you can pay your treatment costs out-of-pocket, then file for a reimbursement from your HSA months or years down the road.
With HSA for dental costs, you have options! In most cases, it’s up to you to decide how you want to apply your HSA funds in a way that’s most convenient for you.
We’re here to help!
At Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we’re here to help in any way we can. We’re happy to discuss how you can apply your HSA to your child’s dental costs.
On your first visit to one of our pediatric dentists in North Tampa, South Tampa, Town ‘n’ Country or East Bradenton, we’ll help you configure your costs and develop a payment plan to cover your out-of-pocket expenses with your HSA.
Every child deserves a healthy and beautiful smile, and we’re here to make that happen. The Kids Smiles team is led by renowned pediatric dentist Dr. Frank Sierra who has more than 25 years of experience providing compassionate, expert care for children and teens.
We are your trusted pediatric dental experts in Tampa Bay and Bradenton! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team loves hearing from you.
Ready to schedule your first visit? Schedule an appointment with us today.
