December is a busy time of year, with the holiday parties, family visits, Christmas shopping trips and getting your home ready for the winter. However, if you have a Flexible Spending Account or FSA, you have another thing to put on your to-do list – use any remaining money before New Year’s Day. Your flex spending money will likely go away after Dec. 31.
We see a wide variety of dental plans and flex spending accounts, so keep in mind your policy may differ, but most flex spending accounts work by keeping a certain amount of money in an account for each calendar year, from January to December, and the patient has that time to spend the money. It’s like a gift certificate that expires at the end of the year.
If you’re not sure if you have a flex spending or a different type of dental plan, please check with your employer or the organization you get your dental benefits through. Most people with flex spending accounts know that they have one.
Some flex spending accounts work by the employer matching dollars contributed by the employee, and some do not. Some flex spending accounts allow the user to keep a certain amount of money at the end of the year in the account, such as $500, but most do not. Instead, most reset to zero in January and have to be reloaded with new money.
What is covered by an FSA
Again, because of the wide variety in flex spending plans offered, we can’t make an exhaustive list of what services are covered, but typically most dental services and treatments are covered, while purchased products are usually not. For example, a bonding would typically be covered, but purchasing a Sonicare toothbrush through us would not. Cleaning and cavity services are typically covered as well
Tooth whitening services are typically not covered, as they are considered cosmetic treatments, but braces or other orthodontic treatments are typically covered. This is because straightening teeth is not cosmetic, as doing so corrects a misaligned bite and protects the patient from oral health problems, such as a TMJ disorder.
Don’t wait any longer, make your appointment with us as soon as you can so you can get a spot in before the year ends. If you’re not sure if a procedure is covered, just ask and keep your flex spending information handy.
