A bill recently introduced in congress would allow people to use flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) to purchase oral healthcare products. Though it seems like a relatively small change, H.R. 8599 is a step toward making dental care more affordable in the United States. When it comes to healthcare policy, many small adjustments can lead to significant improvements.

How does this change reduce out-of-pocket costs?

FSAs and HSAs are employee benefits offered as components of health insurance plans. FSAs allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for health and dependent care expenses. For the most part, funds deposited into an FSA must be used within the calendar year. HSAs function a little differently. They are investment accounts provided in concert with High Deductible Health Plans, and they also include an opportunity to contribute pre-tax dollars into the fund. In each case, the accounts may be used to pay for certain qualifying health expenses. Contributing money to these accounts has implications for income taxes, by lowering total taxable income, and lower tax bills constitute an implicit subsidy for health-related expenses.

H.R. 8599 would allow people to pay for oral health products such as toothbrushes; floss; anti-cavity; and anti-gingivitis products with pre-tax dollars, providing a small subsidy to each person investing money in improving and maintaining their oral health. In addition to marginally reducing out-of-pocket costs for individual consumers, longer-term benefits could be gained for those better able to consistently access over-the-counter preventative measures. Out-of-pocket expenses are a major reason for why people forgo or delay dental care, and efforts to lower costs for prevention, whether at home or in the dentist's office, add up in the long run.

What can I do?

The American Dental Association supports these and other efforts to make dental care more affordable for the average person. You can contribute by offering your support for national and local advocacy efforts. For local efforts, Georgia Dental Association offers numerous opportunities to get involved in legislative advocacy and welcomes the support and contributions of member dentists throughout the state.