At Lochwood Family Dental, we know that staying on top of your dental health is important to maintaining a bright, healthy smile. As the year approaches, it’s the perfect time to review your dental insurance benefits and ensure you get the most out of them before resetting them. Using your benefits before the year ends can save you money and help you avoid leaving any dental coverage behind.
Why Your Benefits Expire
Dental insurance typically follows a calendar-year schedule, meaning unused benefits will reset once the new year begins. If you haven’t used all of your benefits by the end of the year, you lose them. This includes your annual maximum—the total amount your insurance will cover for the year. Even if you’ve been paying monthly premiums, if you don’t use your benefits, you won’t see the full value of your plan.
You’ll have to start over next year if you’ve met your deductible. By using your benefits before the year ends, you can get ahead on your dental care and avoid paying out-of-pocket costs that insurance could cover.
Take Care of Dental Issues Before They Worsen
If you’ve been delaying dental work such as fillings, crowns, or other treatments, now is the time to take care of it. Small issues, like cavities, can quickly become bigger problems if left untreated. What might have been a simple filling could eventually require a root canal or even tooth extraction.
By scheduling the necessary treatments before the year ends, you can use your dental benefits to cover part of the cost, leaving you with less to pay. Your dentist at Lochwood Family Dental can assess your oral health and recommend any treatments you may need, helping you avoid more serious dental problems down the road.
Don’t Forget About Major Procedures
The end of the year is a great time to start treatment for patients considering larger procedures like dental implants, orthodontics, or other restorative work. These procedures often require multiple visits or can take several months to complete, so getting started before the year ends can help you maximize your benefits.
While not all dental plans cover major procedures fully, many will pay a portion of the cost. By starting the process before the year resets, you can ensure that you use your available benefits, reducing the out-of-pocket costs for treatments that could otherwise be expensive.
Plan for the Upcoming Year
While using your benefits before the year ends is important, it’s also a great time to plan for the year ahead. Discuss a treatment plan with your dentist if you know you’ll need dental treatments in the coming year. Whether it’s a cosmetic procedure, restorative care, or orthodontics, having a plan helps you stay ahead of your dental goals and ensures you make the most of your coverage throughout the year.