5 Reasons to Use Your Dental Benefits Before the End of the Year
While you still have a few months before the year comes to a close, now is good time to start thinking about how you can get the most out of your dental insurance benefits in 2023. Unsure of why you should prioritize maximizing your dental benefits? Here are five of the reasons why you should use your dental benefits by the end of the year:
1. Your dental benefits do not roll over
The most obvious reason why you should use your annual dental benefits before the end of the year is that benefits do not roll over into the following year. In other words, if you don’t use the benefits you paid for, you lose them.
Unlike other health care benefits, dental insurance covers only a pre-determined amount per calendar year. At the beginning of a new year, the amount of benefits in your account is reset and any unused benefit dollars are not carried forward.
2. To get the most out of what you pay for
When you sign up for a dental insurance plan, you have to pay a premium each month. Not maximizing the benefits of that insurance can mean losing the hard-earned money you are paying for your dental insurance coverage.
According to the Dental Products Report, which conducts dental industry analysis, only an estimated 3% of Americans use all of their dental benefits annually. By not maximizing annual dental benefits, billions of dollars go unspent on necessary dental care.
3. To keep your dental health care on track
Most dental insurance plans include generous coverage of preventive care. This means that scheduling regular dental checks, routine x-rays, and professional cleanings may only cost you the amount of your co-pay.
While you probably opted for insurance in case of a dental emergency, you can get the most out of your benefits by prioritizing preventive care. Being proactive about the health of your teeth and gums can even prevent a dental emergency from happening.
4. To prevent more serious dental problems
Dental treatments beyond preventative care can seem expensive, but treating dental problems early can prevent those problems from becoming worse. When left untreated, even a small cavity can have a serious impact on the future health of your teeth and gums.
You can make the most of your benefits by taking care of recommended dental treatments before your benefits reset. If you have been putting off recommended dental care, like gum scaling or a crown, using your benefits before they run out at the end of the year can help you get the treatments that you need at a lower out-of-pocket cost.
5. To stay on top of dental insurance plan changes:
Your dental benefits can change from year to year even if you don’t change plans. These changes can include including coverage options, providers, and premiums.
By using your benefits before the end of the year, you can take advantage of the coverage you know you have while it’s still in effect. Additionally, it gives you the opportunity to assess your dental health needs and explore your plan options during open enrollment periods. Additionally, in Massachusetts, a new law “Dental Loss Ratio” will go into effect starting January 2024 which caps the ratio of your premium that companies spend on your dental care. We are expecting some uncertainty in how this law affects policy holders and our patients
This year, don’t be one of the 97% of Americans who lose out on their annual dental benefits by not using them! At BDS, we want you to get the most out of your dental benefits. Our knowledgeable team can help you create a dental care plan that optimizes your dental health while maximizing your benefits!
