As the end of the year approaches, your dental benefits are about to expire. Now is the time to schedule the cleaning you’ve been putting off, or get that tooth pain checked out. If you wait until January, your visit to the dentist may cost you the full out-of-pocket price. You’ll have to start over with a new deductible. As the holidays get closer, the clock is ticking on your unused benefits.
Here are some possible next steps:
- Check your remaining dental insurance benefits
- Book a cleaning or any needed treatment
- Ask about treatment plans that maximize your current benefits
Remember, your benefits don’t roll over, and your deductible resets on January 1st!
Understanding Your End-of-the-Year Dental Benefits
Your dental insurance likely operates under an annual maximum. Most plans provide a set amount of coverage per year, which differs by plan. Once the end of the year passes, the unused portion disappears completely. Your insurance company won’t roll those benefits over or reimburse you. It’s simply gone.
Your deductible works the same way. If you’ve already met your deductible this year, you’re in a great spot. Any services you use cost less right now than they will after January 1st, when everything resets. A crown that you would only have to pay coinsurance for right now might require you to pay coinsurance and your full deductible if you wait until January to get it done.
Many patients don’t realize that they’re leaving money on the table as the year comes to a close. Every month that you pay your deductible, you’re purchasing your benefits. Not using them means paying for something that you never get to use.
How to Maximize Your Benefits Before December 31st
Here are a few things you can do right now. You might start by calling your insurance company or checking your online portal for these three things:
- Your annual maximum
- How much you’ve used
- Whether you’ve met your deductible
Next, call your dentist in Huntsville. Tell them you want to maximize your remaining benefits before the end of the year. At Twickenham Family Dentistry, our team can pull up your treatment plan and show you what fits within your current coverage.
Consider scheduling your treatments strategically. If you need more than one procedure, ask which ones your insurance covers most comprehensively, and try to get that done before January. Some treatments may qualify for higher coverage percentages. We can run a pre-authorization to show exactly what you’ll pay.
One important note: you should definitely consider booking now rather than waiting. December is a busy month for dental offices across Huntsville. Appointment availability shrinks as the end of the year approaches.
If you’re unsure about your benefits, we can help you determine the best strategy for your specific treatment needs and budget.
Why Acting Now Protects Your Wallet and Your Health
Postponing needed dental work rarely saves money. The small cavity you put off getting filled ends up becoming a root canal procedure. You ignore your bleeding gums when you floss, and eventually, you may need extensive treatment for periodontal disease. Preventive care is often more cost-effective than emergency treatment for dental issues that go untreated.
Your end-of-the-year dental benefits give you leverage right now. You can address dental problems while they’re still minor and while your insurance pays its maximum share. Waiting until January means paying more out of pocket for problems that will likely only worsen.
If you are more of an analytical thinker, frame it this way. If you’ve met your deductible and have unused benefits remaining, using those benefits gets you the best possible insurance value. But that advantage only lasts until December 31st. After that, you rebuild from zero while paying the same premiums you paid all year.
At Twickenham Family Dentistry, we treat our patients the way we would like to be treated. That means helping you make informed decisions about your oral care and your budget. We provide treatment options and explain the benefits so that you can choose what works best for you and your family.
Ready to Maximize Your Benefits? Give Us a Call
Your dental benefits are likely paid for and waiting to be used. They represent real money that will disappear if you don’t take action by the end of the year. Call Twickenham Family Dentistry in Huntsville at (256) 539-4079. We’re standing by and happy to help!