Do HSA Funds Cover SmileDirectClub Clear Aligners?

So, you’ve researched teeth straightening methods and you’re wondering how you’ll manage the high prices. Good news: if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you have pre-tax funds waiting for you to apply them to qualifying medical and dental expenses.

But does SmileDirectClub qualify? These at-home aligners are more affordable than traditional orthodontics, but still not that cheap. An HSA account can help ease some of that financial burden. HSA policies vary, but most allow you to use their funds for online aligner services like SmileDirectClub. How? You’re about to find out. Read on for a thorough rundown of how to pay for SmileDirectClub with an HSA.

What Is a Health Savings Account?

An HSA is a savings account that is meant to hold pre-tax income that you can spend on qualifying medical and dental expenses. You can make regular deposits into your account (an established payroll deduction) or you can add funds irregularly whenever you’d like. In some cases, your employer will also contribute funds.

Not everyone can have an HSA. To qualify, you have to be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan. The IRS sets the threshold for what is considered a high deductible and has the option to change this each year. As of January 1st, 2023, a high deductible is at least $1,500 for an individual and $3,000 for a family.

The IRS also outlines the parameters for qualifying and non-qualifying treatments and products. These aren’t perfectly defined, so it is up to HSA administrators to interpret them. Expect coverage for a wide scope of treatments, but verify with your administrator before making a purchase, since non-qualifying purchases are subject to hefty fees.

If you need the funds in your account for something other than a qualifying expense, you can withdraw money. Just keep in mind that this comes with a 20% penalty plus taxes, so it won’t often be the best decision.

The IRS also sets the HSA yearly contribution limit. For 2023, that’s $3,850 for an individual and $7,750 for a family. That might be more than you expect to spend out-of-pocket on healthcare in any given year but since your HSA funds roll over each year, it allows you to prepare for the unexpected. Plus, once your balance reaches a certain amount, you can invest the money in mutual funds and other options, depending on your account’s terms.

How to Get an HSA

It’s not your only option, but the most common way to get an HSA is through your employer. When employer-sponsored health plans have high deductibles, it’s standard to also offer HSAs bundled with these plans to help employees better manage their out-of-pocket expenses. You can either open the account when you start your job or during the open enrollment period, which is usually every fall. Ask your HR department to help you with the process.

If your health plan isn’t through your employer or you are either self-employed or between jobs, you can also open an HSA on your own. Just make sure your plan meets the IRS threshold for a high deductible, then speak with a bank, credit union, broker, or your insurance company about opening an account.

Can I Use My HSA for SmileDirectClub Clear Aligners?

Most HSAs will allow you to use funds for SmileDirectClub aligners. But you should still review your account’s list of qualifying expenses — or reach out to your employer/HSA administrator — to confirm. Some HSAs will classify home aligners as cosmetic treatment, which aren’t normally included in HSA-eligible expenses. Most of the time, this isn’t the case, but you should double-check to be sure.

Chances are, you’ll be able to use your HSA for SmileDirectClub treatment, but it’s a good idea to confirm this before hitting “add to cart.”

Do HSA Funds Cover Other Dental/Orthodontic Treatments?

You can usually apply HSA funds to treatments and products that improve health — though there are exceptions. Preventive, basic, and major dental and orthodontic treatments are usually considered qualifying medical expenses, so you can use your HSA without incurring a penalty. Your six-month dental visits, fillings, and root canals are all things you can pay for with your HSA.

So, what’s excluded? First, general health products are not qualifying expenses. This includes things like toothbrushes, floss, and non-prescription toothpaste. Second, cosmetic treatments are not HSA eligible, so treatments like teeth whitening do not qualify.

What Types of Orthodontic Treatment Can an HSA Cover?

Here’s the good news: most orthodontic treatments are qualifying expenses. This means braces and in-office aligners like Invisalign can be paid for with HSA funds — usually, at least.

For the vast majority of patients, braces and aligners (like Invisalign and 3M Clarity) are major treatments, making significant changes to tooth positions and improving oral and even general health. But sometimes, they’re used to make smaller changes that are strictly cosmetic. These treatments might still qualify, but you should check with your administrator to be sure.

Will SmileDirectClub Help Me Use My HSA?

Yes, they will! If you have a card linked to your HSA, you can simply use it during the checkout process. And if you don’t, SmileDirectClub suggests that you contact their support team. They will help you process your order and access your HSA funds.

Sometimes, your HSA might need documentation to release your funds or provide reimbursement, and SmileDirectClub can provide receipts if necessary.

They don’t offer quite as much help with dental insurance processes. They will check to see if you have coverage and provide documents you might need, but you’re on your own after that. If you’re looking for a home aligner company that will take care of all your insurance and HSA procedures for you, check out Byte. Their insurance team knows the process inside and out and will handle any necessary paperwork and communication.

How To Use HSA Funds for SmileDirectClub Treatment

Health savings accounts provide multiple ways to access your funds. The easiest is by getting a card linked to your account. You can use this card just like you would use a regular debit or credit card and it automatically withdraws funds (as long as you use it for qualifying expenses). You can also get HSA-linked checks that operate the same way. Some HSAs will even let you pay bills directly from your online account.

Just make sure that you only use your HSA for qualifying expenses. You can use it to pay for other things, but you’ll incur a 20% penalty and you’ll need to pay income tax on that amount.

You can also reimburse yourself from your HSA. Just use a different form of payment, then write yourself an HSA check or transfer money from your online HSA account into a personal account. You’re only able to do this for expenses that occurred after you established your HSA. So, you can’t reimburse yourself for treatment you had years ago, or you’ll incur the same 20% penalty.

What If I Have Dental Insurance, Too?

HSAs are not a type of dental insurance plan. They use your own money, taken directly from a paycheck, while insurance coverage comes out of the provider’s pocket, not yours.

Because they’re separate entities, it’s possible to use insurance coverage and an HSA to cover the cost of your SmileDirectClub treatment. Insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits sometimes include at-home aligner treatment like SmileDirectClub. In fact, SmileDirectClub has partnerships with the following companies, which makes them eligible for in-network coverage:

• UnitedHealthcare
• Aetna
• Anthem
• Empire
• MetLife
• Capital
• Dominion National

But even if you receive insurance coverage, it probably won’t cover the entire cost, and that’s where the HSA comes in. You can use your HSA funds to cover the remaining amount. In the end, you might not even have to pay anything out of your personal, non-HSA funds.

Health Savings Accounts vs. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Feeling confused about the differences between HSAs and FSAs? It’s understandable. Not just similar in name, these accounts both hold pre-tax income to be spent on qualifying treatments and products. Still, there are a few big differences to be aware of.

As with HSAs, you can usually use FSA funds for SmileDirectClub treatment. However, it depends on how your account administrator views at-home aligner therapy. Speak with them to better understand your qualifying expenses.

Final Thoughts

Got money sitting in your HSA fund? It can help make your SmileDirectClub treatment costs much more manageable. Check with your employer or HSA administrator to discuss the details of your account. SmileDirectClub is already convenient, but this flexibility can make the process even smoother.