Can I pay for braces with HSA?

Asked by: Izabella Veum  |  Last update: October 24, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (50 votes)

Get ready to smile! The answer is yes. In most cases, you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for any part of your orthodontic treatment that isn't covered by your dental insurance or any other plan.

Can you use HSA money for braces?

In most cases, yes, you can use your HSA or FSA for eligible orthodontic treatment. Only the portion of your orthodontic payments(s) not paid by your dental insurance or any other plan may be considered an eligible expense.

What dental expenses are HSA eligible?

Dental treatment - Medical expenses for dental treatment are reimbursable. This includes fees paid to dentists for X-rays, models and molds, fillings, braces, extractions, dentures, dental implants and the difference in cost from insurance-approved restorations and alternative materials, etc.

Can I use HSA funds to pay for Invisalign?

Your personal HSA can apply to any type of orthodontic treatment deemed medically necessary. So, yes – your HSA funds can be put toward any type of braces, including BRIUS, metal self-ligating (tie-less) braces, clear self-ligating braces, or Invisalign clear aligners for you or your child!

Are braces a qualified medical expense?

Braces are considered to be medically necessary, which means they are a tax-deductible expense. However, this does not mean that you automatically get to write them off. In order to use medical and dental care as a federal tax deduction, a few things are required. You have to itemize your deductions.

Paying for Braces with an HSA

24 related questions found

Are braces considered medical or cosmetic?

Braces are a cosmetic treatment procedure if you are self-conscious about your teeth and want to improve your smile. However, if you have a dental problem that needs to be corrected to improve your oral health, you need to see an orthodontist.

Does HSA cover teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement arrangements (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA).

Does HSA cover veneers?

Veneers: HSA Eligibility

Veneers reimbursement is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Can you use HSA for Botox?

Botox: HSA Eligibility

Botox injections are not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).

Can I use HSA for Lasik?

You can use an HSA for LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures. Like the FSA, the IRS sets limits on what procedures can be covered by an HSA. Laser vision correction procedures including LASIK, SMILE, and PRK are eligible expenses.

Is Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Unfortunately the answer to this question is usually no. This is because according to the IRS, fitness trackers are used to promote what the IRS terms “general health”. Expenses under this general health definition are not considered HSA eligible expenses.

Can I buy tampons with HSA?

With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”

Can I use HSA for massage?

Massages with a doctor's note of necessity

In certain cases, the massage is deemed medically necessary, and can be classified as a qualified medical expense. In a case like this, accountholders can use their HSA to pay for the massage.

Is paying for braces tax deductible?

When preparing to pay for orthodontic treatment, many new patients have questions concerning the tax status of their treatment costs. Since treating oral health issues is an expensive process, you may be happy to learn that orthodontic treatments are tax deductible just like any medical expense.

Can you claim FSA from previous year for braces?

FSAFEDS allows reimbursement for pre-paid orthodontia expenses, up to the elected amount, regardless of the date of service. The payment must have been made during the benefit period.

Can you use HSA for tummy tuck?

You can't use pre-tax funds from a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA) for cosmetic surgical procedures, like a tummy tuck. However, if you have good credit, you could take out a private loan to finance your surgery.

Can you use HSA for acne scars?

Scar treatment is eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

What happens if you use your HSA card for something else?

If you use your HSA for an expense other than eligible medical expenses you can subject yourself to significant IRS penalties. Inappropriate use of your HSA funds may also leave you without money to pay for your eligible medical expenses in the future.

Can I buy a toothbrush with HSA?

While it seems like they would fit under the dental care umbrella, general self-care items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss are not FSA or HSA eligible. Same goes for specialized or medicated toothpastes. Here's a short (and not exhaustive list) of items that are not eligible for reimbursement: Braces wax.

Can I use my HSA for wisdom teeth removal?

Wisdom tooth extraction is eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA). Wisdom tooth extraction is not eligible with a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Can you use HSA for Waterpik?

Waterpiks are eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA) and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).

Can you use HSA for vitamins?

With this IRS definition in mind, while daily multivitamins are not FSA/HSA eligible, there are some types of vitamins that are eligible with consumer-directed healthcare accounts and others that may be eligible with proper documentation from a physician.

Are braces worth it?

Braces are worth the cost because of the many health benefits it helps you to retain. It can be tough to maintain optimal oral health when teeth are not as straight or aligned as they could be. Having braces can help set your teeth and alignment straight.

How long do braces take?

On average, how long do braces take to work? The average orthodontic treatment falls somewhere between 16-18 months, but can sometimes take as long as 24 months, or even more.

Are braces necessary for overbite?

While minor overbites may not require treatment, severe overbites can cause jaw pain, enamel wear, tooth decay, gum disease, speech interference, and other dental problems. People with significant overbites should get orthodontic treatment as soon as possible to prevent these issues.