2018 is winding down and for most dental plans, that means that your benefits are ending too. Starting January 1st, 2019, any money left on your HSA or other benefits plan will expire and your annual budget will start over again. That means that if you haven’t used your budget, your insurance company reclaims it!
After paying your insurance premiums all year long, it would be a shame to just give them away. You EARNED your dental benefits, do not let them slip away, treat yourself or your family to exceptional smiles for Christmas this year!
Your dental plan gives you a maximum of what they will spend on your dental care on an annual basis. The amount varies from insurance company to insurance company but the average is $1000 per person per year. In most cases, these maximums reset at the end of each year, and if you have unused benefits, they will be forfeited.
Your deductible is the amount that you pay out of pocket before your benefits kick-in. These fees vary between insurance companies and may be higher if you see a dentist that is outside of your network. When your plan rolls over, you have to pay your deductible ALL OVER AGAIN before you can start taking advantage of your benefits!
If you’re going to pay for dental benefits, you might as well take advantage of them! This sounds simple, but many people don’t exercise their benefits beyond their regular cleanings; they let their insurance company keep their money away and put it directly into their own pockets. Will you be giving your insurance company this kind of Christmas present this winter?
It’s possible that what you’re paying for insurance now isn’t what you’ll be paying in 2019. Insurance companies sometimes increase their fees to keep up with the rising cost of living or increased material costs. An increase in fees will increase your copay.
Every dental problem from plaque to root canals, delaying treatment only makes things worse. If you’ve got a tooth-ache and a month to spare, you may be opening the door for more extensive damage, more work, and a higher cost to repair it in the future. Treat your teeth with care now, and they will thank you for it in the long run.
If you want to treat someone to your dental benefits, treat yourself! Come in for an extra cleaning before your family pictures or get your crown repaired in time for your holiday parties. You may even be able to have your teeth whitened, depending on your insurance’s policy.
