Consider HSA & FSA Spending Accounts for Biologic Joint Treatments

Here’s some good news for those with Health Saving or Flexible Spending Accounts regarding PRP/Cell-based Therapy (formerly "Stem Cell"):

Dr. Kelly Cunningham & Austin Ortho Biologics are set up to take FSA cards and HSAs (Health Savings Accounts). This is welcome relief for those needing joint pain relief with PRP/stem cell treatment. You may not have considered using these kinds of savings plans for biologic-based therapies before, but this allows efficient use of savings for regenerative medical treatment...

 “Stem cell” (BMC, bone marrow concentrate) & PRP (platelet rich plasma) often provide long-term pain relief and increase activity in patients with mild to moderate arthritis and tendonitis of the knee, shoulder, elbow and hip. It can be used in conjunction with arthroscopic day surgery to boost results for conditions like knee meniscus/cartilage & shoulder rotator cuff repair, or as a stand-alone treatment in the office. It may delay or avoid costly, time-consuming joint replacement surgery.

What Is a Flexible Spending Account?

Your specific health plan or insurance might come with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If you are unsure about what that is, these are a special account that you put money into that isn’t taxed. The saved money allows you to contribute to healthcare-related needs like co-pays, deductibles, prescription medications, and even medical equipment. Our treatments are covered in this plan. You generally have a limit on the amount of money that can go into an FSA and depending on your company’s insurance plan, you have to use that money up within the calendar year.

What Is a Health Savings Account?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is another type of tax-advantaged savings plan that helps pay for high-deductible insurance plans. You can have one of these accounts if you have a qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), with tax-free savings up to $3850 for an individual and $7750 for a family, in addition to “catch up” contributions, if over age 55. These are a little different from FSAs because you can usually roll over the saved money year-to-year. 

Many patients at Austin Ortho Biologics have used these funds successfully to cover needed PRP or cell-based "Stem Cell" treatments for the last few years.

Let us help you get back to full activity quickly and in a pain-free manner while avoiding the cost and long recovery of joint replacement.  Dr. Cunningham is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and regenerative sports medicine specialist who will consider all of your treatment options in a thoughtful, cost-efficient manner. (For example, initial visit,  Xrays and MRI, if recommended, are covered by insurance.)

Schedule an office visit with Kelly Cunningham MD and Austin Ortho Biologics at the convenient Westlake office.

Author

Dr. Kelly Cunningham Physician