Maximize Your Dental Insurance: An Explanation of ‘Use It or Lose It

Dental insurance helps reduce the cost of dental care, making regular visits more affordable. However, many people overlook the benefits they have, especially towards the end of the year. A key concept to remember is that unused benefits might disappear after the plan year ends.

This blog will explain how you can make the most of your dental insurance before the year’s end, ensuring you don’t lose out on valuable coverage.

What Does ‘Use It or Lose It’ Mean?

“Use it or lose it” refers to the rule that unused dental benefits don’t carry over into the next year. Most dental plans have annual limits, known as the annual maximum, on what they will pay.

Any unused portion of this maximum typically expires at the end of the plan year. As a result, if you don’t use your benefits before this deadline, you could miss out on coverage that could save you money.

It’s important to understand your plan’s expiration dates and take full advantage of the available benefits while you can.

Common Types of Dental Insurance Benefits

• Annual Maximum: This is the highest amount your insurer will pay for covered services in a plan year. Once this limit is reached, you’re responsible for any further expenses.
• Preventive Care: Most plans cover 100% of preventive services like checkups, cleanings, and screenings, which help prevent larger dental problems. These services typically don’t count towards the annual maximum.
• Basic and Major Services: These include fillings, crowns, root canals, and other necessary treatments. Depending on your plan, these may have higher co-pays or be subject to the annual maximum limit.

Why People Don’t Maximize Their Dental Benefits?

• Lack of Awareness: Many people are unaware of how much dental coverage they actually have, leading to unused benefits.
• Fear of Costs: Some hesitate to use their benefits due to potential out-of-pocket costs, despite the insurance covering a significant portion.
• Unmet Dental Needs: If you don’t need any major dental work, you might not think to use your benefits.
• Missed Scheduling: Life gets busy, and some people forget to schedule necessary dental visits, letting the opportunity to use their benefits slip away.

Tips to Maximize Your Dental Insurance Benefits

• Schedule Your Appointments Early: Book your routine checkups and cleanings as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the end of the year to make an appointment.
• Understand Your Plan: Review your dental plan to understand your coverage limits, exclusions, and remaining benefits. This helps you avoid surprises.
• Use Preventive Benefits: Take advantage of 100% covered preventive services like cleanings and exams, which help avoid bigger problems down the line.
• Consider Additional Treatments: If you need fillings, crowns, or other treatments, now is the time to use your remaining benefits. Don’t delay necessary care.
• Check for Unused Benefits: Look for coverage on orthodontics, teeth whitening, or other benefits you might have overlooked earlier in the year.
• Review Your Insurance at the End of the Year: Before your plan expires, review any unused benefits and try to schedule any remaining treatments to avoid losing them.

What Happens If You Don’t Use Your Benefits?

Failing to use your dental benefits before the year ends could lead to the loss of unused coverage. For example, if you haven’t reached your annual maximum, any remaining amount doesn’t carry over. You’ll lose that value, which could have been used for dental treatments.

Some people may regret not utilizing their benefits when they later need dental work. By not scheduling those last appointments, you could delay or increase the cost of future treatments.

Make the Most of Your Dental Benefits at Hickory Heights Dental!

Don’t let your dental benefits go to waste! Schedule an appointment with Hickory Heights Dental today and make sure you maximize your coverage before the year ends. Our team is ready to help you keep your smile healthy and your costs low. Call now to book your visit!