As the end of the year approaches, you are busy making plans for the holidays with loved ones while preparing for the new year ahead. During your preparations, you may be overlooking something vital—your oral health. With 2017 quickly coming to an end, now is the time to maximize your unused dental benefits. If you do not visit your dentist in Virginia Beach before New Year’s, you are missing out on a valuable savings opportunity.
Don’t Let Benefits Go Unused
Every year, you pay for your dental coverage to receive necessary services to protect the health of your teeth and gums. However, these benefits expire and do not carry over to the next calendar year. As a result, if you are not using them, you are essentially throwing money down the drain while losing out on huge cost-saving opportunities.
Yearly Maximum
Your benefits include a yearly maximum. This is a set amount of money your insurance company will pay each year for certain services. Although the amount varies depending on your specific policy, on average, it is roughly $1,000 per person, per year. This amount does not accumulate or carry over to the next year. If you are not visiting the dentist, this amount is going unused.
Deductibles and Premiums
For your insurance to begin covering services, you must pay your deductible, which varies depending on your policy and if your dentist is in-network. If you have already paid it this year, you can now use your insurance coverage to receive affordable care. When the new year starts, you will have to repay this amount before you can begin using your benefits again.
In addition to your deductible, you also pay monthly premiums. With this amount, you receive preventive care to help reduce the occurrence of costly dental problems in the future. You also benefit from reduced costs for any other necessary treatments. However, if you do not visit the dentist, you are basically throwing money down the drain every month.
Not to mention, you are opening the door to oral health issues, which could have otherwise been avoided. Now, you are left with an expensive and invasive procedure that may cost you more out-of-pocket, even with your dental coverage.
Fee Increases
As your insurance policy reinstates, it could include fee increases, not only from the insurance company, but the dental office as well. The higher fees could result in a larger copayment or remaining balance that is not covered by your insurance company. To avoid unexpected costs, schedule an appointment now to avoid potential inflated fees.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you have not scheduled an appointment, now is the time to make the call. You pay for your benefits, so why not use them?
About Dr. Sarah Esparza
Dr. Sarah Esparza received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore and has completed several hours of continued education to provide high-quality care. If you need help understanding your dental benefits, contact Esparza Family Dentistry today to maximize your coverage before the year ends.