Is Your Dental Insurance About To Reset? Use Them Up Before New Year Arrives

If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t given your dental insurance benefits a second thought since the beginning of the year. But here’s the thing—many dental insurance plans have a ‘Use It or Lose It’ policy, which means any unused benefits vanish when the calendar resets on January 1.

That means right now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at what your plan covers and make a game plan to maximize your benefits.

Why ‘Use It or Lose It’ Matters for Your Smile (and Your Budget)

Dental insurance typically comes with an annual maximum, meaning each year, your plan will cover up to a certain dollar amount. If you don’t use that coverage by the end of the year, those benefits disappear—no rollovers, no credits, just a reset back to zero.

This ‘Use It or Lose It’ structure means that any treatments you’ve put off could end up costing you more next year if you lose out on this year’s available benefits.

Quick Snapshot of Why Benefits Expire

• Annual Maximums: Most dental insurance plans set a yearly cap on the amount they’ll pay.
• No Rollovers: Unused benefits don’t carry over to the next year, so the value vanishes.
• Renewal Costs: What you didn’t use is gone, but you’ll continue paying premiums next year, possibly with additional costs if treatment is delayed.

First Steps: Know Where You Stand

1. Review Your Remaining Benefits Checking with our dentist or insurance provider about your remaining benefits can help you understand what’s still covered. You may find that you have hundreds of dollars in benefits you didn’t even know were available for immediate use.

2. Identify Any Needed Treatments Think about any procedures you’ve delayed or issues you’ve put on the back burner. Common procedures to consider include:

• Preventive checkups (often covered in full).
• Minor restorative work, like fillings.
• Treatment of early gum issues.

Essential Treatments To Consider Before Year-End

1. Schedule Preventive Care

Preventive treatments such as cleanings, exams, and X-rays are often fully covered by insurance. Scheduling these services before the year ends is a win-win: you maximize your insurance benefits and keep your oral health in check. Plus, regular cleanings and exams help catch small issues before they turn into bigger, more costly ones.

2. Tackle Small Issues Sooner Rather Than Later

Small treatments, like fillings for minor cavities, are easy to ignore—but those small problems can quickly turn into more serious ones, requiring extensive (and expensive) procedures. By addressing them now, you take advantage of your benefits while preventing larger out-of-pocket costs down the road.

3. Don’t Overlook Major Treatments

Larger treatments, like crowns, bridges, or root canals, can be strategically planned around your insurance benefits. For instance, starting treatment now and completing it early next year allows you to utilize this year’s benefits and next year’s annual maximum for a more affordable total cost.

Tips To Get The Most Out of Your Dental Benefits

1. Book Early to Beat the Year-End Rush

As December approaches, dental offices get busy with patients trying to maximize their benefits. Schedule your appointments now to secure a time that works for you. This is especially important if you need multiple treatments, which may require more than one visit.

2. Consult Our Dentist About Phased Treatments

If you need major work done, ask our dentist to structure your treatment plan so that it starts in December and finishes in January. By phasing out your treatment, you get the benefit of two years’ coverage, reducing the financial burden.

Wrapping Up: Secure Your Benefits Before It’s Too Late!

Your dental insurance is there to help you keep a healthy smile without draining your wallet. Don’t let your benefits go to waste! Whether it’s that overdue cleaning, a small filling, or a major treatment you’ve been considering, this is your reminder to book an appointment at Dr. C Orthodontics before this year slips away.

You’ve paid for these benefits—make sure you’re getting what you deserve!

Take control of your dental health and save money while you’re at it. Call our dentist today, check your insurance status, and make the most of your coverage before it’s too late.