Dentist Says You Need to Use Dental Insurance Before Next Year!

It may be surprising to hear, but many people don’t get the chance to fully maximize their dental insurance. Life happens, which means certain events gain higher priority over our health, including our oral health. However, wasting money spent on unused benefits should never be a priority. With the end of the year coming up, your benefits are at risk of expiring! That is, unless you start scheduling appointments with a dentist to use the benefits you paid for and practice effective oral hygiene.

Learn about the money you could be saving and how to start maximizing today!

The Amount of Money Wasted on Unused Benefits

Dental insurance is more often than not a use it or lose it scenario. That means that any benefits you had on December 31st will expire come January 1st. While this is typically the case for most PPO dental plans, it can also apply if you have unused Flexible Spending Account funds. Even if these FSA funds are usable in the new year, it’s usually only at a discounted rate. If you want the most out of your funds and benefits, now is the time to start using them.

After all, losing money on unused benefits is not a rare occurrence. According to a report from the American Dental Association, the average person with dental insurance only uses $323 worth of insurance in a given year, even though they carry a $1,250 annual maximum. That’s over $900 worth of benefits going to waste, which amounts to over $150 billion in lost benefits spread out across 164 million individuals who have dental insurance.

How to Get Started Maximizing

To start, contact your dental insurance company to learn more about the details of your plan. You can also speak with your HR manager at your workplace if you’re utilizing employer-provided insurance. During your conversation, make sure you know key parts of your plan, including your:

• Premium
• Annual maximum
• Covered costs
• Out-of-pocket costs

Once you know what benefits you have, it will be much easier to begin scheduling treatments.

Why Prevention is Crucial to Oral Health

The most important treatments to consider first include preventive care. This includes exams, cleanings, X-rays, dental sealants and in some occasions fluoride treatments. Not only are these treatments fantastic for your oral health, but they’re often covered at 100 percent. This is because dental insurance companies want customers to maximize benefits that will reduce the risk for needing more expensive treatment later. Restorative procedures like fillings, simple extractions and gum disease treatment and maintenance are typically covered at 80 percent, so there’s no reason to skip a visit if you have unfished treatment.

Preventive care works to catch signs of dental disease early, helping you cut down on emergency and restorative costs later. Don’t let the benefits you paid for go to waste. Schedule an appointment today!

About the Author

Dr. Sanaz Hamzehpour earned her DDS degree from UCLA, where she also takes many continuing education courses. Her office accepts all PPO insurance plans and remains in-network with many leading providers. To learn more about her practice or about your unused benefits, you can contact her through her website.