Don’t Let it Expire: Turning HSA/FSA Dollars into Membership Revenue

As the year winds down, patients are thinking about holiday plans, travel, and how much those gift lists are about to cost. December hits, and patients shift straight into holiday mode. Dental benefits are the last thing on their mind.

And their HSA/FSA balance? Nowhere on their radar, even though it could be one of the most valuable tools they have before the year ends.

Millions of dollars in tax-advantaged healthcare savings go unspent each year. These are funds that, in many cases, can be used for preventive dental care or even membership plan fees.

Patients either forget about these accounts or don’t realize they can apply that money toward something that benefits them year-round.

That’s where your practice (being the beacon of education that it is) comes in. 

With a little education and a few smart reminders, you can help patients make the most of their benefits while boosting your own year-end revenue and membership growth.

Why This Matters Right Now

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are designed to help patients cover healthcare expenses with pre-tax dollars. 

But what’s the catch? For FSAs, those funds typically expire at the end of the year if not used.

Even with HSAs, which roll over each year, many patients prefer to spend down their balance before resetting their contribution limits in January.

In other words, the clock is ticking.

When patients realize their remaining funds will disappear if they don’t act, they’re motivated to spend. The question becomes, where can they spend? Most assume they can only use their FSA or HSA for traditional medical or dental bills. 

But the reality is, depending on how a membership plan is structured and the rules of the particular FSA or HSA, it often qualifies as an eligible expense. And that’s a huge opportunity. 

Instead of letting those dollars vanish, patients can use them to secure a full year of preventive dental care, and your practice can turn that urgency into loyal memberships and predictable recurring revenue.

Yes, Patients Can Often Use HSA/FSA Funds for Membership Plans

Most patients don’t know that membership plan payments can qualify as an eligible medical expense under IRS guidelines. Membership fees that include covered services like exams, cleanings, X-rays, and discounts on additional treatment fit the intent of what HSAs and FSAs are precisely meant for: preventive care.

Of course, every plan and provider has different rules, so patients should confirm eligibility with their administrator. But once they understand the option exists, it opens an entirely new conversation. 

You’re not just helping them avoid losing funds; you’re giving them a smarter way to use those funds to invest in their oral health.

It all comes down to a really simple message: instead of letting their money expire, they can turn it into something that pays off all year long.

How to Market This Opportunity to Patients

Awareness is everything. Many patients won’t know they can use FSA funds toward a membership plan unless you tell them, and this time of year, that message has urgency built in. 

Here are a few practical ways to share it:

1. Train your front desk team to mention it.
At check-out or during appointment reminders, have your team add a simple prompt: “If you still have HSA or FSA funds to use before the end of the year, you can apply them toward your membership plan.”

2. Send a targeted email or text campaign.
A short, friendly message goes a long way. Keep it simple and clear: “Use your remaining FSA funds before they expire. Apply them to your membership plan and enjoy a full year of care.”

3. Post on social media.
Create a few eye-catching posts throughout November and December, reminding followers that unused benefits don’t roll over. This kind of content performs well because it’s both helpful and time-sensitive.

4. Add signage or quick in-office reminders.
Posters, counter cards, or digital screen slides can catch attention while patients are in your office. A short headline like “Use Your HSA/FSA on Our Membership Plans!” paired with “Ask us how you can apply it to your membership plan” is all you need.”

By staying proactive, your practice positions itself as helpful and forward-thinking, not pushy. 

Why Membership Plans Are the Perfect Fit

At their core, membership plans are about simplicity, accessibility, and long-term relationships. They remove the middleman and the red tape of insurance, offer transparent pricing, and encourage patients to stay consistent with preventive care.

For patients with leftover FSA funds, a membership plan is an ideal way to make that money count. Instead of scrambling to schedule last-minute treatment or losing funds altogether, they can put it toward a program that guarantees ongoing care in the new year.

For your practice, it’s equally valuable. Those one-time end-of-year payments become recurring, predictable revenue. Patients who enroll in membership plans are more loyal, visit more regularly, and accept more recommended treatment. Everyone benefits.

It’s a win-win for all.

How DentalHQ Helps You Capture the Opportunity

DentalHQ makes it easy to capitalize on this kind of time-sensitive opportunity. With automation for sign-ups, renewals, and payments, your team can enroll new members and track performance without adding extra work.

You can even customize your plans or pricing to make them more appealing for year-end sign-ups, like offering a limited-time bonus cleaning or a referral incentive for new members.

And because everything runs through your DentalHQ dashboard, managing it all stays seamless.

Your Success Team can help you plan messaging, streamline onboarding, and make sure your practice is ready to capture patients looking to use their remaining benefits before the year ends.

This is the perfect moment to turn urgency into loyalty. Patients are ready to spend, so it’s about time we helped them spend smarter.Are you ready to give your HSA / FSA patients more options by adding a membership plan to your office? We can help with that. Learn more about how DentalHQ can get you started on membership plans (and managing them) in just a few minutes.