How to Maximize Your Dental Benefits Before They Expire at the End of the Year

Dental insurance benefits typically operate annually, meaning your coverage resets at the start of each year. If you don’t use your benefits by December 31st, any unused coverage is lost.

Maximizing your dental benefits before they expire can help you save money and maintain optimal oral health. Here’s how to make the most out of your dental insurance before the year ends:

Schedule Preventive Care Appointments

Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care, such as cleanings, exams, and X-rays, at little to no cost. Since these services are usually covered at 100%, it makes sense to schedule them before the year ends if you haven’t already.

If you’ve missed a cleaning earlier in the year, now is the perfect time to book an appointment. Many people don’t realize that skipping these routine checkups means missing out on services you’ve already paid for through your insurance premiums.

Check Your Annual Maximum

Dental insurance plans typically have an annual maximum, which is the total amount the plan will pay for your dental care within a year. If you’ve paid for some treatments, but haven’t reached your maximum, you could be leaving money on the table!

If your dentist has recommended fillings, crowns, or other necessary procedures, now is the time to schedule those appointments. If you wait until the new year, you may have to start working toward meeting deductibles again, making the procedures more expensive.

Plan for Major Dental Work

If you need major dental work, such as a root canal, crown, or dental implant, plan to use your benefits wisely. Some dental procedures require multiple visits, so splitting treatments between the current year and the next can help you take advantage of both years’ benefits. This is especially important if your treatment costs exceed your annual maximum.

You can reduce out-of-pocket costs by scheduling part of the procedure this year and the rest for early in the new year. For example, if you need two crowns, you could schedule one in December and the second in January, using up this year’s maximum and starting fresh next year.

Don’t Forget Your Deductible

Your deductible is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance begins covering more extensive procedures. If you’ve already met your deductible for the year, additional treatments before the end of the year will likely cost you less since your insurance will cover a higher percentage of the costs.

If you’re close to meeting your deductible, but have yet to quite reach it, consider completing necessary treatments before the year ends. If you wait until the new year, you may have to meet a new deductible before your insurance kicks in, resulting in higher costs.

Review Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), now is the time to review your balance. FSAs are often a “use it or lose it” benefit, meaning unused funds won’t roll over into the following year. You can use FSA funds to pay for dental procedures, including out-of-pocket expenses like co-pays, deductibles, or services not covered by insurance, such as teeth whitening or other cosmetic treatments.

Check how much money you have left in your FSA, and consider scheduling any treatments you’ve been postponing before the year ends. FSAs are a great way to cover dental expenses with pre-tax dollars, so it’s wise to make the most of this benefit before the end of the year.

Maximizing your dental benefits before they expire requires some planning, but it can save you significant money and help you maintain a healthy smile. By scheduling preventive care, utilizing your annual maximum, planning major treatments across two years, and leveraging your FSA, you can ensure you get the most out of your dental insurance before the new year begins!