"Lookit, I've done it their way this far and now it's my turn. I'm my own handler. Any questions? Ask me... There's not going to be any more handler stories because I'm the handler... I'm Doctor Spin."Dan Quayle
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College Savings Reward Plans - Making Them Work for You
You are probably well aware that college costs are soaring and that the need for parents to build college savings has never been greater. You may also be aware of various loyalty reward programs (such as Upromise and BabyMint) that pledge to help build ...
Home Audit: Ensure Optimal Insulation Levels For Maximum Energy Savings
(NC)–"Improving your home's insulating system is a speedy and cost-effective way to increase energy-efficiency and comfort in your home, reducing heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer," says John Peterson, Insulation Expert, Owens ...
Save Online, Try The Online Savings Account
Savings account is account deposited that is only intended to stay in the bank for a relatively shorter time span. This account usually offers much lower interest rates than most bank accounts. But still, like many other accounts, it accumulates ...
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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.
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