How to Maximize Your Insurance Benefits Before the End of the Year

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have dental insurance, you probably already know that you are about to lose out on all of your unused benefits at the end of the year. This is because most insurance companies renew all benefits at the beginning of each calendar year. There is no better time than now to maximize dental insurance benefits. Continue reading to learn more about how you can do this before the year comes to an end.

Why Should You Maximize Your Benefits Now?

For most dental insurance plans, there is an annual cap. When you reach this point, you become responsible for more costs out-of-pocket. However, if you haven’t used your benefits yet, they will expire on December 31. After this date, you will have to pay your deductible again. Unfortunately, none of your benefits will be carried over to the next year so it is important that you schedule your appointments and treatments before the end of December. This way, you will have more of your care covered and less of it will need to be paid out-of-pocket.

How Can You Maximize Your Benefits?

Here are just a few ways that you can maximize your benefits including with your dental insurance plan:

• Checkups and Cleanings: For most dental insurance plans, there are two cleanings and checkups each year that are included. If you aren’t attending these, you aren’t even close to maximizing your benefits. Be sure that you are taking advantage of these visits so you can avoid the need for future restorations, which will ultimately cost you more later on. If you haven’t been to the dentist in over six months, now would be a great time to head into the office.

• Other Treatments: For most insurance plans, it is structured on a 100-80-50 model. This means that 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic treatments, and 50% of extensive treatments are covered. If you get a minor problem fixed now, it will be much more affordable than waiting to receive a more invasive treatment in the future.

• Avoiding Your Annual Deductible: Your deductible is the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket until you are able to take advantage of your benefits. This fee resets at the beginning of each year. The best thing to do in most cases is get your treatment completed now before you need to worry about your deductible again.

Dental insurance can be difficult to navigate, but by taking the right steps, you will be able to maximize your benefits and start the new year with a healthy, happy smile.

About the Author

Dr. Chitra P. Naik is an experienced dentist who has been serving patients in Flint for 25 years. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She attends monthly meetings at the Genesee District Dental Society and Michigan Dental Association Conventions to further her expertise. Her practice accepts dental insurance plans from numerous popular insurance companies. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call (810) 235-5422.