5 Reasons to Use Your Dental Benefits Before the Year Ends

Time waits for no one. And, unfortunately, that includes your dental benefits.

As we approach a new year, it’s a good time to revisit your dental insurance or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to see if you still have unused benefits that can be applied toward dental care you need.

Many dental plans operate on a calendar-year basis, which means your annual maximum and deductible may reset when the new year begins. If you’ve been putting off recommended dental work or postponing an overdue dental visit, these remaining months are a good opportunity to take care of it while you still have benefits available.

Don’t let your hard-earned FSA/HSA funds, or dental benefits go to waste before the year ends!

Here Are 5 Reasons to Use Your Benefits This Year

1. Delaying Dental Issues Can Lead to More Extensive Treatment
   It’s easy to put off a dental visit when you aren’t experiencing pain or other obvious problems. But some dental issues can become more complicated when they’re left untreated.

   A small cavity can become larger. A damaged or cracked tooth can sustain additional damage. And delaying treatment can sometimes mean that a less-invasive solution is no longer an option.

   If you know you need some dental work and you’ve been putting off recommended treatment, your remaining benefits may be a good reason to finally move forward. And if you haven’t been in for a checkup or exam in a while and you have dental coverage, using your benefits for an exam or cleaning can be a good place to start.

   Of course, not every dental issue needs to be addressed immediately. A thoughtful dental evaluation by Dr. Kyle can help you understand what needs attention now and what can safely wait.

2. You May Not Have Reached Your Annual Insurance Maximum
   Many dental plans have an annual maximum—the maximum amount your dental plan will pay toward covered services during a plan year.

   If you haven’t reached your annual maximum and know that you need additional dental work, the end of the year can be a good time to take care of it.

   In fact, relatively few dental patients reach their annual maximum. According to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, only about 3.4% of dental patients reach a typical annual maximum, while another 3.3% come within $100 of reaching it.

   That doesn’t mean you should have dental work done simply to “use up” your benefits. But if you’ve been postponing recommended treatment, it’s worth finding out how much of your annual benefit you still have available.

   Annual maximums and plan rules vary, so check with your insurance company to find out exactly what your plan covers and when your benefits reset.

3. You May Have Already Met—or Nearly Met—Your Deductible
   Your dental insurance deductible is the amount you generally pay toward covered care before your insurance begins contributing according to your plan.

   If you’ve already met your deductible for the year, completing other recommended treatment before your plan resets may make financial sense, depending on your coverage.

   When a new plan year begins, your deductible may reset, meaning you’ll once again be responsible for meeting it before your plan’s benefits apply.

   Your deductible and out-of-pocket costs depend on your specific plan, so it’s a good idea to check your benefits before scheduling treatment.

4. Don’t Forget About Your FSA
   Do you have money remaining in a Flexible Spending Account through your employer? Now is a good time to check your balance and find out when your plan’s deadline is.

   FSA rules vary. Some plans allow a limited amount of unused money to carry over into the next year, while others may offer a grace period. Don’t assume that your entire balance will automatically carry over.

   Eligible dental expenses may include exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns and other dental treatment.

   And remember that an HSA is different from an FSA. HSA funds generally roll over from year to year, so they typically don’t have the same year-end “use it or lose it” rules.

5. Your Dental Plan Could Change Next Year
   Dental plans can change from one year to the next. Your employer may change insurance carriers, or you may choose a different plan during open enrollment.

   Your new plan could have a different deductible, annual maximum, covered services, provider network or premium.

   That doesn’t necessarily mean your new plan will be better or worse. But it does mean that the coverage you have available today may not be exactly the same when the new plan year begins.

   If you already know you need dental care, it’s worth understanding what your current benefits can do for you before they reset.

Don’t Wait Until December!

If you know you need dental work, don’t wait until the last few weeks of the year to start thinking about it.

December can be a busy time at dental offices, and some treatments may require more than one appointment. Scheduling sooner gives you more time to understand your benefits, discuss your treatment options and get the care you need before the end of the year.

At Beffa Dental, we’re happy to help you understand your treatment options and make the most of the benefits available to you.

If you’re due for a cleaning, have recommended treatment you’ve been putting off, or simply aren’t sure what your dental insurance covers, give us a call. We’d be happy to help you plan for the rest of the year.

Please reach out to us and see if we can squeeze you in before this year ends. Schedule an appointment now before the Holidays – just give us call at (206) 242-0066 to schedule or reach out to us online!