Covering the Costs of Dental Care with FSAs
Oral health is very important to a person’s well-being. Good oral health ensures that teeth remain strong, functional, and beautiful. Additionally, recent studies have shown that oral health and general health are strongly linked, meaning that by taking care of one’s oral health, one can also help protect his or her overall general health. Unfortunately, dental care can be costly. While dental insurance often covers the majority of general dentistry services, restorative dentistry treatments to repair the damage of injury or decay are not always covered, or at least not in full. Fortunately, many employers now offer FSAs, or flex spending accounts, as an additional benefit. These accounts can help cover the out-of-pocket expenses that are incurred by our dental patients.
What Is an FSA?
An FSA is a flexible spending account. This is a benefit that is available through some employer-based health plans. This account is a place where money can be set aside to cover certain medical expenses. The money that is placed in these accounts is tax-free, so it does allow employees to save a small amount of money (the taxes that would have been paid on the amount that was set aside). These accounts do have rules and limitations, so it is important to understand the terms associated with the account and to plan accordingly. In general, flex spending accounts are limited to a deposit amount of $2,500/year and unused funds will be lost at the end of the year.
FSAs and Dental Care
Many of our Troy patients have questions about dental care and FSAs. They often ask what type of expenses can be covered and how those payments are made using an FSA. The details of each FSA may differ slightly, so it is important to discuss these matters with your employer’s benefits representative. However, in general, FSAs do approve the cost of most dental care expenses. Some of the dental care costs that are likely to be covered by an FSA include the following:
- Cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- Fillings
- X-rays
- Dental crowns
- Dentures
For the most part, any dental service that is beneficial to the patient’s oral health will be covered, while cosmetic dental treatments are typically excluded.
Paying for dental services with an FSA is very simple. Most FSAs are linked to a debit card. After showing an explanation of benefits (a letter from your insurance provider detailing coverage and patient responsibility), this debit card can be used to pay for out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses that are approved under the terms of the flex spending account. That means that paying for dental care using a FSA is as simple as paying with a personal debit or credit card.
Schedule an Appointment
At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, we believe all patients deserve high quality dental care and a beautiful, healthy smile. If you are worried about the cost of dental care, our staff will help you explore insurance coverage, FSA eligibility, and financing options, so that you can get the care you deserve without financial strain. To maintain or improve your oral health, schedule an appointment with one of our experienced cosmetic dentists. We look forward to meeting you!
