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Can You Use Your HSA or FSA To Save on Orthodontics?

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piggy bank sitting next to jar with “HSA” on it

Do you have an HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) through your employer or a private plan? If so, then you can use it to help pay for orthodontic treatment, even if you don’t have dedicated dental coverage! Whether you’re considering braces for your child or Invisalign for yourself, using an HSA/FSA can make getting a straighter and healthier smile much more affordable.

You Can Use Your HSA/FSA for Orthodontics

HSAs and FSAs allow you to set aside money for qualified health expenses, and if you get one through your employer, then they likely make a monthly contribution as well. In addition to being used to pay for regular physicals and prescriptions, the money can also be applied to dental care like orthodontics. That’s because treatments like braces and Invisalign can do much more than simply make someone’s smile more attractive. They can also help with a host of medical issues, like jaw pain, headaches, and teeth grinding. Plus, they are proven to lower someone’s risk for cavities and other common dental problems.

How Your HSA/FSA Helps You Save on Orthodontics

The money put into an HSA or FSA is pre-tax, so when you use these untaxed dollars to pay for orthodontic treatment, you spend less. And, if you have dental insurance through your provider as well, you can use this money to cover the portion of treatment that isn’t paid for by your plan. You’ll just be responsible for the leftover portion of the fee.

If you want to get a good estimate of how much you’ll need to use from your HSA or FSA to pay for braces or Invisalign, just speak with your local orthodontist. Once they gather all of your information and go over your insurance coverage, they can outline your out-of-pocket costs. From there, you can discuss financing and other things the office offers to help you save money (like giving a discount if you pay for the treatment upfront or in cash).

Don’t Wait!

Some HSAs and FSAs reset at the beginning of the year, meaning only a certain amount of money will carry over into 2022. Anything over the limit simply disappears. So, if you’ve been thinking about orthodontics for a while, now is the time to contact an orthodontist and schedule an appointment. You can get the treatment process started now and likely spend less compared to waiting until January.

Whether you have an HSA or FSA, either one can be used to help pay for orthodontic treatment, ensuring that the road to a straight smile is easily affordable.

About the Author

Dr. Jeffrey Shirck is a board-certified orthodontist with over 10 years of experience helping children and adults in the Columbus area achieve beautiful smiles. To learn about using your HSA/FSA at Shirck Orthodontics and go over our other flexible payment options, you can get in contact with our friendly team by clicking here.