HSA and replacement dental crowns

[Kurt Ullman]

I have read the stuff on whether or not you can use HSA to pay for
replacement dental crowns. My interpretation is that I can, but since I
don't speak fluent IRS, I wanted to double check. Can I?

 

[John Levine]

I have read the stuff on whether or not you can use HSA to pay for
replacement dental crowns. My interpretation is that I can, but since I
don't speak fluent IRS, I wanted to double check. Can I?

Publication 502 describes what are eligible expenses. On page 7 it
says that Dental Treatment is generally eligible, with the exception
of purely cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening.

R's,
John

 

[JoeTaxpayer]

I have read the stuff on whether or not you can use HSA to pay for
replacement dental crowns. My interpretation is that I can, but since I
don't speak fluent IRS, I wanted to double check. Can I?

By remarkable coincidence, I just had my first crown installed. To
share, my dental coverage is lacking. A 50% copay after a $100
deductible, and then only for 'reasonable and customary' fee. So my
$1900 crown cost me $1250 out of pocket.

I went to see if this would burp though my FSA and it's specifically
lists crowns- Dental expenses ─ Examples include fees for X rays,
fillings, braces, extractions, crowns, and orthodontia.

For HSA I find similar wording - "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. Veneers are covered only when medically
necessary, but are not covered for purely cosmetic reasons."

Crowns are not optional or cosmetic. e.g. whitening would not be covered.

 

[Kurt Ullman]

By remarkable coincidence, I just had my first crown installed. To
share, my dental coverage is lacking. A 50% copay after a $100
deductible, and then only for 'reasonable and customary' fee. So my
$1900 crown cost me $1250 out of pocket.

I went to see if this would burp though my FSA and it's specifically
lists crowns- Dental expenses ─ Examples include fees for X rays,
fillings, braces, extractions, crowns, and orthodontia.

For HSA I find similar wording - "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. Veneers are covered only when medically
necessary, but are not covered for purely cosmetic reasons."

Crowns are not optional or cosmetic. e.g. whitening would not be covered.

Thanks. The part that was concerning to me was whether or not
REPLACEMENT crowns could be considered cosmetic. Although in this case,
it is around 30 years old and starting to recede so I guess it should be
okay.

 

[JoeTaxpayer]

Thanks. The part that was concerning to me was whether or not
REPLACEMENT crowns could be considered cosmetic. Although in this case,
it is around 30 years old and starting to recede so I guess it should be
okay.

Understood. It's still a repair to restore function, and not cosmetic.