Table of Contents

Using Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Dental Care

Here’s what you can and can’t use it for

By

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Eric Whiteside

Updated January 06, 2024

Reviewed by Charles Potters

Fact checked by

Betsy Petrick

Part of the Series

Guide to Dental Insurance

Guide to Dental Insurance: What You Need to K🐻now

Choose the Right Dental Insurance

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

Flexible Spending and Dental Care

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow employees to make tax-free contributions for various medical or dental expenses. Distributions are free, provided they are used for qualified medical expenses. 📖In most circumstances, you can use your FSA for non-cosmetic dental proced꧑ures.

Key Takeaways

In the tax year 2023, the FSA contribution level maximum was $3,050, with a carryover amount of $610.
For tax year 2024, the FSA contribution level increased to $3,200, and the carryover amount increased to $640.
An FSA is a "use it or lose it" benefit. You lose the money in your account if you don't spend it by a specific date.
Anything related to cosmetic dentistry is automatically not covered by an FSA.
Dental care reimbursement is not eligible if you have a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:dependent care FSA (another kind of FSA offered by employers).

FSA Included Dental Expenses

When it comes to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:using an FSA for dental expenses, reimbursement rules generally follow the deduction rules as spelled out in IRS Publication 502. The basic guideline is that anything that treats or p🅠revents a dental disease is eligible fo🌺r FSA coverage:

Teeth cleaning
Fillings and sealants
Crowns
Bonding
Dentures
Tooth extraction
Inlays and onlays
All diagnostic and preventative services
Treatments for gingivitis, temporomandibular joint syndrome and disorder, gum recession, and necessary oral surgery

Important

FSAs can differ depending on your employer's plan sponsor, so if you are unclear about whether or not a procedure is covered, it may help to contact HR or the sponsor and carefully go over your policy.

FSA-Excluded Dental Expenses

Unfortunately, cosmetic procedures—such as teeth whitening, veneers, and cosmetic orthodontics—are not covered by FSAs. If you want to get your teeth bright and white, you’ll have to pay out of pocket, as cosmetic dentistry is not on the list. You can’t even buy toothpaste of any kind or dental floss usin🐽g FSA funds, as they are not eligible expenses. Oral pain remedies, however, are typicallღy covered by plans.

Orthodontia is usually covered, but there are situations in which it can be considered cosmetic. The IRS says that some procedures treat disease, and some are cosmetic. Generally speaking, the most common medical uses of orthodontia are covered, such as correcting teeth with braces. Your orthodontist should be able to help you determine wh🅺at your plan may cover.

FSA Limitations

Flexible spending accounts are limited because you can contribute only a certain 💯amount per year. The limits are:

$3,200 per employee contribution for tax year 2024, an increases from $3,050 in 2023.
If allowed, a $640 per year carryover per employee for tax year 2024, an increase from $610 in 2023.
A "use or lose" rule, where you have a grace period of two and a half months after the end of a plan year in which you can use leftover funds.
Employers can only offer one and not both of the grace period and carryover of funds.
Any funds left unused are sent back to the employer.

If you have a general-purpose health FSA, you can use it for all of your qualified medical expenses. A limited-purpose health FSA can only cover 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:dental and vision expenses.

Can I Use My FSA for Oral Surgery?

Oral surgeries that are necessary are generally included in FSAs, but it's best to check with your policy provider to find out.

Can I Use My FSA for Braces?

You often can use your FSA to supplement any part of your braces treatment that isn't covered by 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:dental insurance.

Does FSA Cover Dental and Vision?

Office visits and preventive expenses can be paid for using your FSA. Anything that treats disease or illness can also be paid for using FSA. So, the answer is, generally speaking, yes. Again, check with your policy provider or employer to verify what you can and can't do.

What Are the Different Types of FSA Accounts?

There are three types of FSAs: a (general) health care FSA, a limited expense health care FSA, and a dependent care FSA.

The Bottom Line

The IRS provides general rules for FSAs, but each FSA provider interprets t꧟hose rules differently. Talk to your employer and plan provider before you start any course of treatment. Your dental office should be willing to coordinate with your insurance provider to make sure the services you are receiving are covered under𝔍 your FSA.

Article Sources

Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

Internal Revenue Service. "."
Internal Revenue Service. "."
Internal Revenue Service. "."
Healthcare.gov. "."
U.S. Office of Personnel Management. "."
National Institutes of Health Office of Management. "."