As the end of the year approaches, make sure you are taking advantage of your dental insurance benefits for 2022. If you have any remaining benefits, keep in mind that they will expire on December 31, 2022 because the insurance coverage resets starting on January 1, 2023.
Here are a few things you need to know about maximizing your dental coverage before the year ends:
Yearly Caps for Dental Insurance
Most dental insurance coverage has an annual cap to limit the amount of insurance benefits you can receive. When this threshold is reached, it means that you must start paying more out-of-pocket costs for dental services.
On the other hand, if you haven’t reached the annual cap, then it means that you still have benefits available to use. Fit in your dental appointments before the plan resets at the end of the year since these benefits don’t roll over to the new year.
Ways to Use Your Remaining Dental Benefits
What are the best ways to reach your annual maximum coverage for this year? Talk to your dentist about treatments that are necessary, as well as preventative services that fall under your plan’s coverage.
Sometimes, dental treatments can be completed in phases so you can maximize the benefits for the 2022 year, then finish treatment in 2023 if necessary.
Here are a few ways you might consider using your remaining dental benefits:
- Schedule an appointment for a regular cleaning and checkup
- If recommended treatments are needed, make sure to schedule the appointment before the end of the year
- Ask your dentist if there are any preventatives treatments you will benefit from that fall under your insurance coverage. Remember that prevention is always the best solution because you save money and protect your teeth at the same time. Most dental insurance plans cover 100% of preventive services.
- If necessary treatments are beyond your annual coverage, then see if these expensive treatments can be split between two calendar years. An example, is a root canal treatment in 2022, followed by the crown treatment for the same tooth in 2023.
Our dental office is here to answer your questions and help you evaluate your available coverage. Also, consider a conversation with your dental insurance provider so you can learn more about your specific insurance plan. You can find the direct phone number on your insurance card.
Don’t Forget About Your Flexible Spending Account
In addition to using your dental benefits, also check your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to make sure you are using all of the cash available. Check the details of your account. Some FSAs allow the funds to rollover to the next year, while other accounts require that you use the FSA funds by the end of the calendar year. This money can be used for your dental out-of-pocket costs, such as co-pays, deductibles, orthodontics, dental implants, denture supplies, and more.
Schedule an Appointment at myDental before the end of the year. We offer multiple locations for your convenience, making it easier than ever to stay current with all of your dental care needs. Call today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Most dental insurance plans operate on a calendar-year basis, meaning the annual maximum resets on January 1. Any unused benefits do not roll over into the next year. If the full annual maximum has not been used, that remaining coverage is simply lost once the year ends.
The annual maximum is the most a dental insurance plan will pay for covered services within one calendar year. It typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 for most plans. Once that limit is reached, the patient is responsible for 100% of any additional dental costs for the rest of the year.
Common procedures to schedule include cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, and periodontal treatments. If treatment has been recommended but delayed, the end of the year is an ideal time to move forward. Preventive visits like exams and X-rays can also be completed to take full advantage of covered benefits.
Patients can call the phone number on the back of their insurance card or log into the insurance company’s online portal to check remaining benefits. The dental office’s front desk or billing team can also verify benefits and help determine what is still available before year-end.
Most dental insurance deductibles reset on January 1 along with the annual maximum. This means patients would need to pay the deductible again in the new year before insurance begins covering treatments. Scheduling procedures before December 31 avoids having to meet a new deductible for work already planned.
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