As the year 2021 winds down, you probably have a lot of things on your to-do list. Amid all the hustle-bustle of the fast-approaching holidays, Meramec Family Dentistry is giving you an important reminder. Use up your dental benefits before they expire.
What Is Dental Benefits Insurance?
Dental benefits (also known as a dental plan) is an insurance policy designed to pay all or part of the costs associated with your dental care. It offers protection against high dental treatment costs and allows you to save some cash.
Dental benefits have deductibles that you must pay before you can activate the benefits. There’s also a limit to how much the insurance will pay for your dental treatment. However, you can lose the benefits since they typically expire at the end of the year. That’s why we advise our patients to use up all the benefits allotted to them before time runs out.
Why Should I Use My Dental Benefits Before They Expire?
Your dental benefits for the year 2021 will expire on the 31st of December. Here is why you need to use them before time runs out.
You Paid for It
Dental insurance typically runs on a yearly basis and requires you to pay the deductibles before you can enjoy the benefits. If you’ve paid for the dental benefits and haven’t been able to use them all before the year runs out, your dental plan will most likely expire. That means all the “dental dollars” you earned with your insurance premium are wasted.
Your Yearly Maximum Does Not Roll Over
Dental plans come with a maximum dollar amount that the insurance will pay for your dental care in a given year. If you have not maxed out your yearly maximum, it’s high time you visit your dentist and use all the dental dollars you earned before they expire. Keep in mind that these dollars will not roll over to the following year, so you will lose them if you don’t use them.
Your FSA May Also Expire
You may be participating in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to offset your out-of-pocket dental treatment costs. Keep in mind that the money accrued in those accounts may also expire at the end of the year.
Again, this is something you paid for, so you should not let it go to waste. Even if you don’t need cosmetic treatments, surgical extractions, or dental implant services, you can still use the benefits for examinations and checkups.
Delay Could Be Costly
Some dental issues happen without showing a symptom until they become a bigger problem. However, when you pay a regular visit to your dentist and use your dental benefits, your dentist can catch any potential issues before they fester.
If you don’t use your dental benefits, your dental issues can worsen and become more difficult and expensive to fix. Remember that dental insurance has a cap limit and does not cover everything. So it’s a good idea to use it to spot, address, or prevent any brewing problems when they are less costly and easier to fix.
How Can I Know If I Have Any Dental Benefits Left?
If you want to know if you have any dental benefits left, the easiest way is to call (636) 333-3304 or schedule an appointment with us. We will conduct the research and let you know if you have any dental benefits remaining. You can also check with your dental insurance company to know if any pending claims on file can affect your outstanding benefits.
You can also check the Dental Benefit Summary booklet you received when signing up for your dental plan. However, you should proceed with caution. These booklets only offer limited information about what your plan covers and are often vague. They do not reveal the specific details of other restrictions and any alternate benefit clauses that may be in place.
When you’re in doubt, it’s best to contact your employer or insurance company for a better explanation.
How Can I Maximize My Dental Insurance Benefits?
When it comes to providing the finest care and convenient financial options, your dentist in Arnold, MO, is your biggest ally. Schedule an appointment with us to maximize your dental plan and receive the necessary treatment without emptying your bank account.
Our team will help navigate your policy and work closely with you to find ways to get more out of your dental plan.
Checkup Visits
When you visit us at Meramec Family Dentistry, we ask questions about your oral health and examine your teeth, gums, and roots with advanced dental technologies. We will also walk you through teeth cleaning and periodontal maintenance processes and plan your treatment to restore your smile, beauty, and overall health.
Treatment and More
Your smile is important to us! That’s why we offer comprehensive general and cosmetic dental services in Arnold, MO, to help patients of all ages achieve healthy smiles.
If you’re running low on this year’s benefits or your treatment requires extensive procedures, we can help! We can split up care so that this year’s benefits cover part of the procedures and schedule the rest in 2022 when your dental benefits renew.
Why Should I Take Care of This Now?
We understand that there are still a few days until the end of the year. But we’re already reminding you about the expiration date of your 2021 dental benefits.
While it might seem like you have time on your hands to schedule an appointment with your dentist, the holiday will be here in no time, and our schedule will fill up fast. Avoid the rush. Schedule an appointment now to take advantage of your remaining dental benefits.
We Have Limited Appointments Available
With the potential increase in future dental care costs and more and more people trying to max out their dental plan before it expires, beating the holiday season’s crowd can be a challenge. Fortunately, Meramec Family Dentistry still has limited appointments available through December.
Get in touch with us now to reserve a visit and beat the holiday rush. You’ll get the same undivided attention we provide all of our patients. And if you require treatments, our insurance coordinators will process your dental service and expedite reimbursement so you can max your dental benefits before it expires. Call (636) 333-3304 now to get started!
