Blyholder Family Dentistry: Use Your FSA and HSA Dollars Before December 31

The end of the year is busy enough without losing money you already set aside for your health. Anyone with a flexible spending account (FSA), a health savings account (HSA) or dental insurance has a few weeks left to put those benefits to work. Here's what to know before December 31, 2026.

FSA funds can expire

Health FSAs are generally "use it or lose it" accounts. Money you don't spend by the end of your plan year may be forfeited. Some employers soften that rule in one of two ways, but never both:

• A carryover. For 2026 plans, employers can allow up to $680 of unused funds to roll into 2027.
• A grace period. Some plans give you up to two and a half extra months to spend the previous year's balance.

Your employer decides which option, if either, applies to you, so check with your benefits administrator to learn your real deadline. For reference, the 2026 health FSA contribution limit is $3,400, so an unused balance can add up quickly.

HSA funds roll over, but your deductible resets

HSA money is yours to keep, and unused funds carry over from year to year. Your health plan deductible, though, usually resets in January. If you've already met your deductible for 2026, scheduling care now may cost less than waiting until it starts over. You can also still contribute toward your 2026 HSA limit, $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, until the April 2027 tax filing deadline.

Dental insurance often resets January 1

Many dental plans run on the calendar year. Your annual maximum, the most your plan will pay for care in a year, typically resets on January 1, and unused benefits usually don't carry forward. Finishing recommended treatment before year end helps you get the full value of the coverage you paid for in 2026.

What dental care qualifies?

The IRS allows FSA and HSA funds for many dental services, including:

• Cleanings and exams
• X-rays
• Fillings, crowns and other treatment of dental disease
• Extractions
• Dentures
• Braces and other orthodontic treatment

Purely cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, generally don't qualify. If you're unsure about a specific treatment, ask the Blyholder team or check with your plan administrator.

Smart ways to use your benefits now

• Book a cleaning and exam if you haven't had one in the last six months.
• Finish recommended treatment, such as a filling or crown, before your annual maximum resets.
• Ask about same-day crowns. Dr. Jaclyn Blyholder is CEREC-certified, so many crowns can be designed and placed in a single visit.
• Consider a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth.
• Ask about SureSmile clear aligners if you've been thinking about straightening your smile.

Schedule soon

December appointments fill fast as patients race to use their benefits before the holidays. The office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm and Wednesday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, so it's worth calling now to find a time that works for your family.

Caring for Wichita families

Dr. Jaclyn Blyholder is a second-generation Wichita dentist who provides preventive, restorative, cosmetic and children's dentistry for the whole family at Blyholder Family Dentistry. The office is in network with Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield and accepts major credit cards and CareCredit.

Call Blyholder Family Dentistry at (316) 684-4921 or request an appointment online. The office is at 639 S. Hillside St., Suite 3001, in Wichita.

This article is general information, not tax advice. Contact your benefits administrator or tax professional about your specific plan.