Use It or Lose It: Dental Insurance Benefits Left on the Table
By Dr. Jacqueline Butler Mitchell, DDS
When it comes to dental benefits, many people are leaving money on the table each year with unused dental benefits and flexible spending accounts. Many insurance companies have a benefit deadline of December 31st, and this means, any of your unused benefits will not roll over into the New Year. So it’s time now, to finish up dental treatments that haven’t been completed and to get your last dental checkup for this year.
5 Reasons to use Your Dental Insurance Before the End of the Year
1. Yearly Maximum: this is the most money the dental plan will pay for your dental work during one full year. The yearly maximum usually renews every year on January 1 and if you have any unused benefits, these will not rollover.
2. Deductible: this is the amount of money you must pay to your dentist out of pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services. This fee varies from one plan to another and if you choose an out of network dentist the fee can be higher. Your deductible also starts over when your plan renews for the new year.
3. Premiums: if you are paying your dental insurance premiums every month, you should be using your benefits. Even if you don’t need any treatment, you should always have your checkups twice yearly.
4. Fee Increase: fees for some dental services usually increase with the new year. Dentist increase their rates at the beginning of the year due to increase in their cost for materials. A fee increase can make your copay higher to.
5. Dental Problems Can Worsen: by delaying treatment, you may be risking more extensive and expensive treatments down the road.
I hope you will make your appointment with your dentist ASAP so you wont leave money on the table for this year. In the next Tooth Talk I will discuss why you should use an FSA account before the end of the year. Please call or email if you have questions.
Integrity Dental Care, PLLC (615) 445-8700 integritydentalcare@comcast.net
