Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Shout out to the FSA

With all the things that we have to contend with....fight with....make happen......sometimes it is just the simple little things that happen that just take away an extra step the really can make you happy.

Today's case in point....our FSA.

Not normally something I would really sing the praises about, but our FSA just works.  And it works well.  We have had a FSA for at least 7 or 8 years.  And although the cap amount was changed last year to $2500, it is still a help.

We have it set up for "auto pay" which means that anything that is submitted to our insurance company is automatically paid to us when they process the claim.  And they are fast!!!  I went to the dentist on 4/15 (and found out I have my very FIRST cavity.....grrrr).  The dentist submitted the claim (which our insurance pays next to nothing on), and this morning....one week later.....the amount that the insurance company didn't pay has already been deposited into our account.

One week!   I go back on Monday to have my filling, and I will just go ahead and pay the bill from last week, since I already have the money.

Additionally....the company just changed the statements to include a year to date section, which is so helpful!  I have been saying for years they needed this.  Now, I can see on an ongoing basis how much has been paid out, and how close we are to using up the account.  In the past I have had to track it myself.

Now, poor FSA is about to take a huge hit when I submit my receipts for my glasses and contacts, and then my cavity.  But that is what is for.

Yay FSA!!!

10 comments:

  1. I got my first cavity at 34. I was so disappointed! I had been the pride of my dentist until then :)

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    1. I will be 39 next week....so sad that my cavity free streak has come to an end.

      Note to self....FLOSS!

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  2. I've been using our FSA this year and it's working well too. With the crappy new health insurance that now "covers" DD's dental, it all went to deductible (when I had her on my work plan, it was 100% covered), so I just put the FSA debit card # on the billing and mailed it back. At least I didn't have $200 out of pocket right now and I'm not missing the money coming out of my paycheck that goes into the FSA account.

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    1. I would love a debit card feature for ours. Co-pays for dr appts, scripts, etc all are out of pocket and reimbursed. My glasses and contacts were also out of pocket, with reimbursement. But at least with the co-pays I don't have to submit anything....they just automatically send me our portion.

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  3. Wow! No cavities until 39? I have had at least 2 dozen cavities. No joke. I wish my FSA was automatic. That sounds like an awesome feature.

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    1. I never even had a cavity in my baby teeth. It is a little disheartening to have my first one.

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  4. That's very cool. Nice to see something working right, in days where most things seem to be heading south.

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  5. Our FSA is pain but I am grateful for it, I have to have a bunch of dental work done. No cavities just old ones that need to have amalgam taken out, I was a poor brusher as a kid.

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  6. I love my FSA (it comes with a debit card, and the Princess has a card, too, which makes life so much easier!) -- The new cap irritates the heck out of me. That's one of the few breaks the middle class actually got -- I never used to withhold our company max ($5k) but was generally along the lines of $3 -$3.5 so it helped a TON.

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  7. Yay! Glad to know that the FSA had been a big help to you. It's good to know that the insurance system is working well for you and your needs. Anyway, too bad about your no cavity streak. Although, I'm surprised you've only had your first cavity now. You must really love the dentist and your teeth. Good for you! :)

    Mitchell Carlson @ InsureYourCompany.com

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