Health Care Savings Account
Opening a health care savings account can help people cover their out-of-pocket costs. People can use these unique, tax-advantaged accounts to pay for current or future healthcare expenses for you, your spouse, and your dependents. When combined with a high-deductible healthcare plan, people can receive tax advantages to save money in the long-run.
If you are looking to save money while taking care of your oral health, a health care savings account, HSA, can help. Our team at Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics can help you learn more about HSAs and other coverages. Call us at (619) 354-5136 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Understanding Health Care Savings Accounts
A health savings account (HSA) is a savings account that lets people set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. An HSA is complementary to a health care plan that has a high deductible. People can save money in an HSA before taxes and use the funds to pay for eligible health care expenses, including expenses the health plan does not cover. For example, people can use their HSA savings to cover health care costs until reaching the plan’s deductible.
People can use their HSA funds to pay the copayment until reaching the out-of-pocket limit. Taxes do not apply to the money put into an HSA. Patients can invest a portion of the money in an HSA if maintaining a balance of $1,000 or more. For this reason, many people use part of their HSA to save for retirement.
“A health savings account (HSA) is a savings account that lets people set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses.”
HSA Pros and Cons
HSAs offer several benefits. People can withdraw money to pay for procedures, deductibles, copayments, or other medical expenses. Any money left in the account at the end of the year will roll over into the next year. Even if a person’s health care coverage changes due to a change in jobs, as long as they continue with a high-deductible plan, funds in the account continue to grow, tax-free. If a person changes jobs, they can enroll in a new healthcare plan and maintain access to their existing HSA, even if the new healthcare plan does not qualify. Additionally, most people can use a debit card or checks to access their funds easily.
HSAs also have some disadvantages that people should consider. One of the biggest downsides to an HSA involves the requirement to have a health insurance plan with a high deductible. Although this coverage offers lower premiums, high deductibles often become hard to come up with if facing a significant medical issue. With increasing costs of health care premiums and deductibles, it may be challenging to add more money to one’s health savings account. Some people with high deductibles hesitate to see the doctor to seek treatment due to the high costs. They may feel as if they must keep the money in their HSA to save for retirement — thus putting off important medical care.
“If a person changes jobs, they can enroll in a new healthcare plan and maintain access to their existing HSA, even if the new healthcare plan does not qualify.”
Financial Benefits of an HSA
An HSA not only helps save on health care expenses but comes with tax advantages. One advantage is that people do not have to pay taxes on contributions to their HSA. If a person adds money to their HSA through their employer, the funds are taken before taxes, lowering taxable income. People who add money to their accounts personally will have deductions from their gross income when filing income taxes at the end of the year.
Anything earned on the investment of funds also remains tax-free. If using the withdrawals to pay for qualified medical expenses, no taxes and penalty fees apply. Funds withdrawn for medical expenses are not taxed. At age 65, HSA funds are available for use without penalty. After this age, people can use their HSA savings as retirement money and withdraw funds from an HSA without incurring tax penalties, even if used for non-medical expenses. However, the money would still be subject to income tax.
“An HSA not only helps save on health care expenses but comes with tax advantages.”
Finding Out if HSA Covers a Treatment
People with HSA accounts may be wondering what types of dental services are covered. With an HSA, there is a big difference between services that diagnose, treat, and prevent. People should contact their provider for more information on covered dental treatments.
Some procedures may have a copayment, so it is also important to check with dental insurance providers to determine the out-of-pocket costs. Not all HSAs cover the same things. People with questions about coverage should contact their employer's benefits department, their HSA provider, or the third-party payer of their health plan.
“People with questions about coverage should contact their employer’s benefits department, their HSA provider, or the third-party payer of their health plan.”
Treatments Covered by an HSA
Dental services and HSA eligibility can vary; however, some common and necessary dental procedures are eligible. HSAs cover treatments that diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, and prevent disease. HSAs cover most dental treatments deemed medically necessary, such as:
- Regular cleanings and routine visits
- Fillings
- Root canals
- Extractions
- Crowns
- Dentures and bonding
Even with an HSA, there may be a copayment for the patient. HSAs do not cover cosmetic dental treatments such as teeth whitening or regular dental expenses, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, and mouthwash.
“HSAs cover treatments that diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, and prevent disease.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Frequently Asked Questions
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Dental Terminology
Co-pay
A fixed payment made by the insured (patient) coupled with that of the insurance coverage.
Deductible
Part of an insurance policy that indicates a specified amount of money that the insured must pay prior to the coverage amount.
Health Care Savings Accounts
A tax-advantaged savings account for medical expenses for tax-payers with a high-deductible healthcare plan.
Health Plan
A type of insurance that covers all or part of medical and dental expenses when a person is ill or injured.
Medical Necessity
Health care services that are justified as necessary for the well-being of a patient.
Oral Health
Health conditions that directly relate to the functionality or aesthetics of the mouth, teeth, gums, jaw, or throat.
Out of Pocket Medical Expenses
An out of pocket medical expense is anything a person has to pay for medical reasons that is not covered by insurance. These typically include co-payments, deductibles or uninsured prescription and procedure costs.
Out of Pocket Maximum
The out of pocket maximum is the most an individual will have to pay for health care services in a plan year before your insurance provider covers all the cost.
Prevention
The act or practice of stopping something from arising or its progression.
Tax-Advantaged
An economic bonus that applies to certain types of investments or savings accounts that are tax-reduced, tax-deferred, or tax-free.