Has account refund from dentist

[CJ631]

So even though I haven't put anything through the insurance yet, its still better to put it back into the HSA rather than simply not putting any claim into the dental insurance?   I asked this question in a separate question, not sure anyone would see this as a reply.  I have not received any reimbursement from the insurance because I have not put any claims through the insurance as yet.  This is the second go round for my son who did orthodontia through the same insurance company many years earlier and we reached the lifetime max at that time.  I was told by the insurance company when the orthodontist just inquired by phone, that my employer was different back then and now under the new employer the lifetime max started back to zero.  I did not know that before I paid for this orthodontist using my HSA.  Please reply.

[DianeW777]

I do not see anything that specifically states you don't have to submit a claim if you can. It shows that you cannot pay health insurance premiums with your HSA funds. And Other ineligible expenses include over-the-counter items like toothpaste, toiletries, and cosmetics, as well as most cosmetic surgeries. A vacation to a healthier climate would also not qualify.

• IRS Publication 969

Keep accurate records of the disbursement for these dental expenses.

@CJ631

[dmertz]

@CJ631 , why would you want to throw away the money that the insurance claim would provide instead of returning the mistaken distribution to the HSA so that that HSA money could be applied to a future qualified medical expense?