Tiny Pearls

When it comes to teething, there is hardly a fixed pattern regarding it in babies. There is no certainty as to when the teething would begin, the amount of time it will take or the pain quotient. Some babies hardly experience pain when a tooth is cut, whereas in some babies there is too much of pain and teething is a severe process. In many cases, a lump can be seen in the gum for many weeks. And...

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Using your Health Savings Account to pay for Dental Expenses

Wiley Long

If you've been to a dentist recently, it is unlikely you smiled when you received the bill. Costs of most dental procedures have been rising faster than inflation. Just a check-up and cleaning can cost up to $150. And if you need major dental work, fees can be astronomical. Crowns typically cost $850 - $1,000, and oral surgery can cost thousands of dollars.

Individual dental insurance plans are available, but are typically very expensive. This is because of what is known in the insurance industry as "adverse selection" - the only people who tend to buy dental insurance are people who know they have dental problems and are already planning on using the coverage.

Unfortunately, most insurance premiums, including dental insurance premiums, cannot be paid for from a Health Savings Account. But dental expenses certainly can be. Because you fund your HSA with pre-tax dollars, you could easily save $500 or more off the costs of your family's yearly dental expenses by paying for the charges from your Health Savings Account.

Prepaid dental plans are another way to help reduce your dental expenses. These plans charge a small monthly fee (typically around $7/month for individuals, or $16/month for families), and subsequently provide significant discounts for check-ups, fillings, extractions, and other services, as long as you go to a network dentist. Some plans also help towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Because these plans are not considered to be insurance, they can also be paid for from your HSA.

So when keeping track of your eligible medical expenses that can be reimbursed from your HSA, remember to include dental fees and the premiums you pay for a prepaid dental plan.

To your health and wealth,

Wiley Long

President

HSA for America

About the author:
Wiley Long started in the health insurance business in 1986, marketing directly to individuals and small businesses all over the state of Georgia. The introduction of Health Savings Accounts in 2004 let Wiley use his experience in the health insurance business to become an expert on Health Savings Accounts.


FAQs on Tooth Whitening

What Is Tooth Whitening? Tooth whitening is a process that bleaches the teeth, removing it of stains on the enamel and dentin to affect a lightening of any discoloration present. A common tooth whitening procedure uses carbamide peroxide poured over a custom mouth-guard worn over the teeth. What Is Tooth Discoloration? Defining tooth discoloration depends upon its many causes and it is important to distinguish between an external and internal stain. *external stains: tobacco, tea, coffee and juices like grape and apple, coffee, tea and tobacco *internal stains: excessive fluoride (during teeth...

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Chronic Headaches And Pain Often Can Be Eliminated By A Special Dentist

Sometimes as Freud once said, “A good cigar is just a smoke. ” A headache, on the other hand, occasionally can be a sign of something much more serious than just a headache. This is particularly true if it is accompanied by facial pain, neck and shoulder pain, tinnitus or ringing in the ears and unexplained loose teeth. These symptoms, along with jaw pain, limited jaw movement or locking jaw, numbness in the fingers and arms, worn or cracked teeth and clicking or popping in the jaw joints can be signs that a person has the condition called temporomandibular joint syndrome or TMJ . The condition...

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