At Fusion Dental, we understand how easy it is to let dental care slip to the back burner, especially when life gets busy. However, as the year winds down, you must make the most of your dental insurance benefits before they expire. If you don’t use your benefits before the year ends, you may lose them altogether. Avoid missing out on your dental benefits and ensure you take full advantage of the coverage you’ve already paid for.
Why Dental Benefits Expire at the End of the Year
Dental insurance plans typically run on a calendar year, meaning unused benefits reset when the new year begins. This includes your annual maximum, which is the most your insurance will pay for dental care yearly. If you don’t reach your annual maximum before the year ends, you’ll lose that unused portion and have to start fresh with a new limit for the following year.
In addition, if you haven’t met your deductible, you’ll have to pay that amount again once your plan resets. This makes it important to take advantage of your benefits before they expire, especially if you’ve already met your deductible or are close to it.
Address Any Outstanding Dental Needs
If you or a family member has been putting off dental work, now is the time to take action. Whether it’s a filling, crown, or another restorative procedure, untreated dental issues can worsen over time, leading to more complex—and expensive—treatments in the future.
By scheduling these treatments before the end of the year, you can use up your remaining benefits and potentially avoid paying out-of-pocket costs that would otherwise be necessary. For example, if you need a filling, your insurance may cover most or all of the cost. But if you wait until after the new year, you may be responsible for a larger portion of the cost, especially if your benefits reset.
Don’t Forget About Major Procedures
Some dental procedures, like dental implants, orthodontics, or root canals, may require multiple visits or be more expensive. If these treatments are part of your dental care plan, it’s important to begin the process before the year ends so you can use your insurance benefits.
While not all major procedures are covered by insurance, many plans cover some of the cost. If you’ve already met your deductible or have remaining benefits, now is the time to start these procedures. Your dentist at Fusion Dental can help you determine the best course of action and guide you on maximizing your insurance benefits.
Utilize Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), use any remaining funds before the end of the year. These accounts allow you to use pre-tax dollars for medical and dental expenses, which can help you reduce your overall healthcare costs.
FSAs typically have a “use-it-or-lose-it” policy, meaning unused funds won’t roll over to the next year. So, if you have an FSA balance, use it on any remaining dental needs. Whether it’s a routine cleaning, filling, or even a more expensive procedure, your FSA or HSA can help cover the costs, and using up your funds ensures that you’re making the most of these accounts.
Plan Ahead for Next Year
While using your benefits before the year ends is important, don’t forget to plan for the next year’s dental needs. After your benefits reset, it’s a great time to schedule your first check-up and preventive care appointment for the new year. If you anticipate needing more extensive treatments like dental implants or orthodontics, talk to your dentist about your treatment options and how to spread them over time.
Having a plan for the year ahead will help you stay proactive about your dental care, stay on top of any issues, and maximize your insurance benefits.