At Burkburnett Family Dental, we know how important planning is, especially when managing your dental care and insurance benefits. As the year comes to a close, many people find themselves scrambling to make sure they’ve used all of their dental benefits before they expire. With just a few months left in the year, now is the time to take full advantage of your dental coverage.
Understand Your Insurance Plan
The first step in year-end dental benefits planning is understanding your insurance plan. Most dental insurance plans have an annual maximum, the highest amount the insurance will pay for dental services in a year. Once you reach that limit, you’ll be responsible for covering any additional costs out of pocket. If you’ve already met your deductible or have remaining coverage, it’s time to use those benefits wisely before they reset in the new year.
If you’re unsure about your remaining benefits, contact your insurance provider or dental office for a breakdown of what’s left. Knowing exactly where you stand will help you plan the treatments you need to have done before your benefits reset.
Preventive Care Is a Smart First Step
One of the easiest ways to maximize your benefits is to ensure you’ve scheduled your routine preventive care before the end of the year. Preventive visits typically include regular cleanings, exams, and sometimes X-rays. Most dental insurance plans fully cover or provide significant coverage for these services, making them an excellent opportunity to use up your benefits.
Regular cleanings help keep your teeth and gums healthy by removing plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Having these treatments on time makes you less likely to need more expensive procedures. You can prevent potential issues and protect your overall health.
Don’t wait—schedule your cleaning or checkup before the year ends to ensure you’re getting the full benefit of your coverage. If you’ve already had your checkup this year, but it’s been a while since your last cleaning, now is also a great time to take that care.
Be Aware of Waiting Periods
Some dental insurance plans have waiting periods for certain treatments, especially more complex procedures like implants or orthodontics. Depending on your plan, these waiting periods can range from several months to over a year. If you’re planning to get a treatment that may have a waiting period, be sure to understand how it could impact your ability to use your benefits before the year ends.
It’s important to work with your dentist to understand which procedures require waiting periods and to determine the best time to schedule them based on your coverage.
Take Advantage of Flex Spending Accounts (FSAs)
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), the funds in your account may also expire at the end of the year. Many FSAs do not roll over into the next year, so using those funds before they expire is important. FSAs can be used for dental treatments not covered by insurance. This includes cosmetic dentistry or additional procedures.
If you have an FSA, check how much is left in your account and consider using it for any treatments you’ve been putting off. You can combine your FSA funds with your dental insurance benefits to maximize your savings on necessary treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to schedule a dental cleaning before the year ends?
Many insurance plans reset on January 1. Getting your cleaning now helps you use any remaining benefits before they expire. Regular cleanings also prevent plaque buildup, gum disease, and more expensive procedures down the road. Check with your provider to see if your plan resets on January 1.
Are cosmetic procedures covered by insurance or FSA funds?
Most insurance plans don’t cover purely cosmetic treatments. However, FSAs often allow you to use funds on procedures not covered by insurance, including cosmetic work. Always confirm with your plan’s rules to be sure.
If I already had a checkup, do I still need another cleaning?
It depends on your plan and personal needs. Some insurance covers more than one cleaning per year. If it’s been several months since your last cleaning, you should check your coverage and schedule an appointment if you’re eligible.
What are dental waiting periods, and why do they matter?
A waiting period is a set time before certain treatments are covered by insurance. Procedures like implants or orthodontics often have these delays. If your plan includes waiting periods, you’ll want to factor that into your year-end scheduling.
How do I find out if my treatment has a waiting period?
Contact your dental insurance provider or review your policy details. You can also ask your dentist’s office—they typically verify coverage and can help you navigate these timelines.