As the year draws to a close, now is the perfect time to take a closer look at your dental benefits. Most dental plans—whether traditional insurance or an FSA—reset every year on January 1, which means any unused benefits will be lost if not used by December 31. However, you can make the most of your end-of-year dental benefits by:
From understanding your plan to planning your treatments, Dental Depot of Oklahoma can help ensure you’re maximizing the value of your coverage and saving as much as possible without losing out on benefits. We’re committed to providing comprehensive, common sense dental care services for patients of all ages at an affordable price, and our experienced staff can walk you through the ins and outs of dental benefits and how you can make the most of them before they reset.
Dental benefits plans generally cover all or at least a portion of the cost of most preventative and restorative treatments, including fillings, cleanings, crowns, fluoride treatments, x-rays, and more. Some plans may even cover some or all of the cost of dentures, implants, or oral surgery.
Regardless of the coverage, however, most dental benefits reset at the end of the calendar year.
In addition, fee increases and changes in coverage can occur at the start of a new year, which may impact your costs and available services.
The key thing to remember is that your dental benefits are there to be used. If you don’t schedule dental appointments or procedures before your benefits expire, you’ll miss out on coverage you’ve already paid for.
These are typically group plans like Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) offered by your employer. Employees and/or employers pay a plan premium upfront to maintain coverage, and when you visit a dentist, you may pay out-of-pocket costs like a deductible or co-pay. (Visiting an in-network dentist can help you minimize out-of-pocket expenses.)
If you are paying a premium every month, you are earning benefits you should be using. If you aren’t visiting the dentist, those premiums simply become wasted money.
Most dental plans have an annual maximum—the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for your dental care within the calendar year. This amount varies, but the average tends to be around $1,000 to $1,500. If you haven’t hit your annual maximum yet, you still have time to get additional treatments covered under your plan.
FSAs are another employer-offered benefit that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover eligible dental and healthcare expenses. These funds are deducted from your paycheck and placed into an account you can use throughout the year. Keep in mind, FSAs typically have a contribution limit and come with a “use it or lose it” policy at year’s end, with some plans offering a short grace period or rollover option.
If you have an FSA, it’s important to plan your dental expenses carefully. Since FSAs use pre-tax dollars, this account is essentially a savings tool to help cover healthcare and dental costs. However, many FSAs come with strict year-end deadlines, and unused funds are forfeited if not spent. Some employers offer a grace period of up to an extra 2.5 months after December 31 or allow a small rollover amount, but it’s always best to confirm your plan’s rules.
To make the most of your FSA funds before the end of the year:
So how can you make sure you’re getting the most out of your dental benefits before they expire? The following tips can help you navigate the process and avoid losing out on valuable coverage.
Preventative care is often fully covered by dental insurance, meaning services like cleanings, exams, and X-rays may cost you nothing or only require a minimal co-pay. If you haven’t already had your second cleaning this year, make an appointment as soon as possible. Regular cleanings help prevent more serious dental issues down the road, and catching any problems early will minimize the need for more expensive treatments later.
Keep in mind that any work done after January 1 will fall under the next year’s maximum, so scheduling procedures now can help you maximize the coverage you’ve already earned.
If you’ve already started a treatment, such as a crown, filling, or root canal, now is the time to complete it. Not only will you take advantage of this year’s benefits, but you’ll also prevent the treatment from becoming more costly or complex. For example, postponing a crown or filling might lead to worsening decay, requiring a root canal or even extraction, which could increase your out-of-pocket expenses.
Have you been delaying treatment for a dental problem? Now is the time to schedule it, especially if it’s something like a routine cleaning or filling and you’ve already met your deductible; this helps ensure the insurance company will pay for at least a percentage of the procedure, if not all of it.
Common treatments that may be covered include:
Each of these treatments addresses issues that can worsen if left untreated. By taking care of them before the year ends, you’ll avoid additional problems and save money by using up this year’s benefits.
If you’re worried about exceeding your annual maximum or deductible, some dentists may offer phased treatments. This means they can break your procedure into two parts: one completed this year and the second next year, so you can use benefits from both plan periods. This approach is especially helpful for major restorative treatments like crowns, bridges, or implants, which may otherwise exceed your current year’s benefits.
If the December 31 deadline is behind you, don’t worry. You may still be eligible for open enrollment, which occurs near the end of every calendar year, and allows you to change plans or make changes to your current plan and benefits.
You can also use this time to:
Using your dental benefits before the end of the year is key to getting the most out of your coverage and avoiding unnecessary costs. By scheduling routine exams, completing treatments, and using FSA funds wisely, you can maximize your dental insurance and ensure that your smile stays healthy.
At Dental Depot of Oklahoma, we work with every single patient to help make a plan to pay for the essential dental care you and your family need. We accept most dental insurance plans, including SoonerCare, and offer a variety of financing and payment solutions. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you navigate your end-of-year dental benefits and get the most out of your coverage.
Don’t let your benefits go to waste — call or click to schedule your appointments with Dental Depot of Oklahoma today!