Health Care Savings Account Chico, CA
A health care savings account, or HSA, is a type of savings account that allows you to put away money for qualified medical expenses on a pre-tax basis. Since HSA funds are untaxed, you may often be able to lower your overall healthcare costs. HSAs are popularly used to pay for coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, and other expenses. However, they usually cannot be used to pay premiums.
We accept HSAs at Randal S. Elloway DDS, Inc. in Chico and the surrounding area. Call us today at (530) 877-4994 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
How an HSA Works
An HSA is a type of savings account that is only applicable for qualifying health care expenses. It complements a high-deductible health plan, or HDHP, to help control health care costs. Unlike FSAs, patients own and control all the money in an HSA. There are certain qualifying factors one must meet to open up an HSA. Patients must be under the age of 65 and have an HDHP as their only health insurance.
HSAs may be offered through employers, or patients may start an account independently through their bank or another financial institution. Patients must not be able to be claimed as a dependent on someone else's taxes or have received veteran's benefits within the last three months. They also cannot have a health care flexible spending account (FSA) or health reimbursement account (HRA).
“An HSA is a type of savings account that can only be used for qualifying health care expenses.”
HSA Pros and Cons
HSAs offer several benefits. People can withdraw money to pay for procedures, deductibles, copayments, or other medical expenses. Any money left in the account at the end of the year will roll over into the next year. Even if a person's health care coverage changes due to a change in jobs, as long as they continue with a high-deductible plan, funds in the account continue to grow, tax-free. If a person changes jobs, they can enroll in a new healthcare plan and maintain access to their existing HSA, even if the new healthcare plan does not qualify. Additionally, most people can use a debit card or checks to access their funds easily.
HSAs also have some disadvantages that people should consider. One of the biggest downsides to an HSA involves the requirement to have a health insurance plan with a high deductible. Although this coverage offers lower premiums, high deductibles often become hard to come up with if facing a significant medical issue. With increasing costs of health care premiums and deductibles, it may be challenging to add more money to one's health savings account. Some people with high deductibles hesitate to see the doctor to seek treatment due to the high costs. They may feel as if they must keep the money in their HSA to save for retirement — thus putting off important medical care.
“If a person changes jobs, they can enroll in a new healthcare plan and maintain access to their existing HSA, even if the new healthcare plan does not qualify.”
Financial Benefits of an HSA
An HSA not only helps save on health care expenses but comes with tax advantages. One advantage is that people do not have to pay taxes on contributions to their HSA. If a person adds money to their HSA through their employer, the funds are taken before taxes, lowering taxable income. People who add money to their accounts personally will have deductions from their gross income when filing income taxes at the end of the year.
Anything earned on the investment of funds also remains tax-free. If using the withdrawals to pay for qualified medical expenses, no taxes and penalty fees apply. Funds withdrawn for medical expenses are not taxed. At age 65, HSA funds are available for use without penalty. After this age, people can use their HSA savings as retirement money and withdraw funds from an HSA without incurring tax penalties, even if used for non-medical expenses. However, the money would still be subject to income tax.
“An HSA not only helps save on health care expenses but comes with tax advantages.”
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Finding Out if HSA Covers a Treatment
People with HSA accounts may be wondering what types of dental services are covered. With an HSA, there is a big difference between services that diagnose, treat, and prevent. People should contact their provider for more information on covered dental treatments.
Some procedures may have a copayment, so it is also important to check with dental insurance providers to determine the out-of-pocket costs. Not all HSAs cover the same things. People with questions about coverage should contact their employer's benefits department, their HSA provider, or the third-party payer of their health plan.
“People with questions about coverage should contact their employer’s benefits department, their HSA provider, or the third-party payer of their health plan.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What are the pros and cons of an HSA?
Q. What are the tax benefits to having an HSA?
Q. Do HSAs cover dental treatments?
Q. What dental treatments does an HSA cover?
People Also Ask
Q. How should people spend and invest their HSA contributions?
Q. Is dental insurance worth it?
Q. Why is preventative care important? How can it save you money?
Q. When is the right time to open an HSA?
Q. What are co-pays and deductibles?
Treatments Covered by an HSA
Dental services and HSA eligibility can vary; however, some common and necessary dental procedures are eligible. HSAs cover treatments that diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, and prevent disease. HSAs cover most dental treatments deemed medically necessary, such as:
- Regular cleanings and routine visits
- Fillings
- Root canals
- Extractions
- Crowns
- Dentures and bonding
Even with an HSA, there may be a copayment for the patient. HSAs do not cover cosmetic dental treatments such as teeth whitening or regular dental expenses, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, and mouthwash.
“HSAs cover treatments that diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, and prevent disease.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I use my HSA funds on non-medical-related expenses?
A. Yes. However, using your HSA funds on non-eligible expenses will require you to be taxed on said expenses, as the initial contributions went tax-free. You may also face a 20% tax penalty if you are under the age of 65.
Q. Can I have more than one HSA?
A. Yes. Though you cannot have an HSA in conjunction with an FSA or HRA, you can open as many HSA accounts as you want. However, annual IRS contribution limits may still apply.
Q. What is the monthly or annual fee for an HSA?
A. The monthly fee for an HSA tends to be less than $5 a month, or around $30 a year. However, many HSAs do not require monthly payments, and others may waive or reduce these fees if enrollees maintain a minimum balance.
Q. What is the difference between an FSA and an HSA?
A. FSA funds are available on a "use-it-or-lose-it" basis, while HSA funds carry over from year to year. HSA funds are also entirely in the enrollee's control, meaning they stay with the enrollee even when they change jobs or move to a different state.
Q. What happens to my HSA when I change health insurance policies?
A. Since your HSA funds are entirely yours, your HSA will remain unchanged even if you change your health insurance plan. However, you will only be eligible to make future contributions to your HSA if you choose a qualifying plan.
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Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
HSA can help you lower the costs of dental treatment. Our team at Randal S. Elloway DDS, Inc. can help. Call us today at 530-877-4994 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2026
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2026
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2026
About our business, license, and website security
- Randal S. Elloway DDS, Inc. was established in 1992.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Butte County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Chico, Orland, Durham, Butte Creek Canyon, Paradise, Magalia, Marysville, and Butte Valley
- CA (License #DDS40581). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1942345251). View NPI Registry Information
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