Dental Benefits | Use It or Lose It

If you have a dental insurance plan, you need to know that it might operate on a calendar year. The benefits are reset each year, which means that all the benefits must be used up within the year. Any benefits that are unused by December 31 are lost.

With a few months to go before the end of the year, it is a good time to use your benefits. If you have any outstanding dental treatments, take advantage of your dental insurance. Maximize your dental benefits while you can and remember, you use it or lose it!

Dental Benefits Plans

People begin their years, leaving behind unused dental benefits for the previous year. Very few people reach or exceed the annual maximum for their dental plans. It is important to find out the details of your dental benefits plan. Most dental benefit plans have a deadline.

They usually expire on December 31. It is important to consult your employer to find out the coverage you have. Knowing your position will help ensure that you enjoy your benefits before the expiry date.

Preventive Dental Visits

You do not have to wait until you have a toothache or any other dental issue before visiting a dentist. It is always a good idea to visit a dentist for a checkup. This can lead to the prevention of a problem in its early stages. Most plans cover preventive visits 100 percent. This means that you can get the checkup without worrying about additional costs.

Use your next dental appointment to find out your needs and any treatments you may require before December 31. Making appointments as soon as possible will help ensure that you use up your benefits.

Routine Dental Checkup

Most dental insurance plans cover two checkups in a year. Use this information when planning your dental appointments, knowing that the checkups need to be at six-month intervals. A routine checkup is a good way to ensure that you are in good dental health. The checkup will allow the dentist to detect any dental issues that may be developing. You can also use the next appointment to schedule your next professional dental cleaning.

Extensive Dental Treatment

If you require extensive dental work with multiple visits, the end of the year is a good time to start. If you have not reached your annual maximum and you have met your deductible, this is the time to start.

Having paid your deductible, you can expect your out-of-pocket expenses to be dramatically reduced. This makes it the ideal time to begin extensive dental treatment. Your dentist can come up with a treatment plan that will help you to maximize your benefits. You can split your treatments between this and next year.

Developing a Treatment Plan

Using your dental plan optimally will help you reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Staggering treatments between this year and next year when the benefits are renewed will help. Your dentist can review your situation and help you figure out the treatments covered by the insurance plan.

For more on maximizing your dental benefits, visit Cal Oaks Dental at our office in Murrieta, California. You can call (951) 501-4900 today to schedule an appointment.