It’s October, which often means the beginning of all things autumn. But, it also means the end of the year is quickly approaching and will be here before you know it. If you have dental insurance that resets on the first of the year, your dentist in Austin wants to remind you to use up all the dental benefits available to you before December 31st.
Don’t Wait
It’s not uncommon for patients to hold off on using their dental insurance just in case something happens. However, this plan can backfire in a few ways.
- Lost Maximums
Most dental insurance starts on January 1st and ends on December 31st. This isn’t always the case so make sure to check with your provider. However, this means that you must use your maximum allowance during those 12 months or you’ll lose it.
- Wasted Money
Patients usually pay for coverage either through their employer or on their own. Either way, dental insurance typically isn’t free. But if you pay for dental insurance and don’t use the benefits, your investment was wasted.
- Bigger Dental Problems
The best way to use your dental insurance benefits is to see your dentist in Austin at least every six months for professional cleanings, x-rays, and exams. These appointments can help catch problems early when they’re less expensive to fix and keep other big problems from happening.
Overlapping Treatment
Dental benefits don’t necessarily have to be used on preventive care alone. In fact, some patients choose to use their maximums to help cover the cost of transformative cosmetic dentistry, such as veneers, or restorative dentistry like dental implants or crowns. If that’s the case, you may be able to start treatment at the end of the year using this year’s benefits and finish at the beginning of next year using 2022 benefits. Your dentist can help you determine the best way to maximize your benefits on the treatment you desire.
Flex Savings Account
Even if you don’t have traditional dental insurance, you may have a Flex Savings Account (FSA) that you can use toward dental care. However, like dental insurance, FSAs often expire on January 1st, so make sure you use the money you’ve already invested.
Do you have unused dental benefits that will expire once the clock hits midnight on January 1, 2022? If so, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Austin today!
