It’s already October, which means the end of the year will be here before you know it. While you’re probably thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving, and countless other holiday festivities, there is probably one thing that hasn’t crossed your mind lately: dental insurance. If you have a policy, at the beginning of 2020, your coverage is actually going to reset, which means any money you have on your plan right now will be instantly lost! Read on below to learn why you need to use your dental insurance now before it’s too late.
Use It or Lose It
Your dental insurance plan, like many, probably has what is called an annual maximum, which is the highest amount it will pay for care within the calendar year. This amount is usually $1,000-$1,500, but the majority of people only use a small fraction of that. No big deal though, right? Any leftover money will simply roll into the next year…except it won’t. Whether you have $5 or $500 left on your plan, once the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, all that money instantly goes back to the insurance company, and the maximum resets. Every year, Americans lose over 100 BILLION dollars in dental benefits because of this, and many are completely unaware.
So, in order to make sure you don’t contribute to this total and lose out on benefits you have already paid for, here are a few reasons to use your insurance and maximize your plan before the end of the year.
Stop Cavities With a Checkup & Cleaning
The American Dental Association recommends that absolutely everyone should get at least two checkups and cleanings each year to maintain their oral health, yet most people only get one. Many dental insurance plans completely or mostly cover two checkups and cleanings per year, so if you’ve gotten one already in 2019, now is the perfect time to schedule another. This will help make sure you won’t experience a dental problem during the holidays!
Fix Your Teeth & Save
Do you need to get a crown or filling to repair a broken or decayed tooth? Were you planning on waiting until next year when you have more time? Not only can this allow the issue to become worse, but waiting will have you pay much more money for a procedure you could get now for cheaper. That’s because at the beginning of 2020, you’ll have to pay your deductible again before you have access to your insurance benefits. If you’ve already met your deductible for 2019, go ahead and schedule an appointment with your dentist in Columbia…your insurance will probably cover at least half of the procedure!
Changes Are Coming…
Whether you just need a checkup and cleaning, some smile repair, or any other procedure, now is the time to put your dental insurance to work, because it’s going to change. Compared to standard health insurance, dental coverage changes much more often and dramatically, and this usually happens at the beginning of each year. That means if you like your plan right now, it might be very different come next year, as in you may be expected to pay more to get the benefits you have right now. So, it’s best to use your plan now before this happens.
Everyone gets busy during this part of the year, but by making time to go to the dentist, you can ensure that your smile is ready for all the holiday foods and pictures that are likely coming your way, and you can have the peace of mind that you’re getting the most out of your insurance plan. Be sure to consult your dentist about the best ways to utilize your policy before 2020!
About the Author
Dr. Victor Beck, Jr. grew up in Columbia and has been providing top-quality, family friendly dental care to the community for more than 40 years. It’s very important to him that everyone be able to afford to go to the dentist, which is why his practice always works to help patients maximize their insurance coverage. To learn more about the best ways to use your plan before the end of the year, Dr. Beck can be contacted through his website.