Dental insurance is a wise investment in your smile, but not if you are one of the millions of Americans who let their unused benefits slip away at the end of each year. Billions of dollars are wasted this way from one year to the next. Before January 1, 2019, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Framingham to make sure you stretch your coverage for the year! Skipping this visit is a mistake for your oral health and your budget — keep reading to find out why.
To make the most out of your insurance benefits, you need to know how dental insurance works. One key is that plans are set on a calendar year, meaning they start on January 1 and end on December 31. Any unused funds will be sacrificed at the end of the year — and you will be forced to meet your deductible all over again to receive any coverage. FSA/HSA funds work pretty much the same way.
In exchange for a monthly payment (the premium) of around $50 for an individual and $150 for a family, you may be eligible for up to $1,500 worth of care once you have met your deductible. That equates to discounts on the general, restorative, and preventive dental treatments that you need to enjoy a healthy, lasting smile for life. The best way to maximize your coverage is to schedule and attend two checkups and cleanings in 2018. If you have not yet had both, that’s a great place to start. During this appointment, your dental team will also check for cavities or other existing or potential dental problems that could be fixed using your insurance benefits.
Even though your dental insurance benefits and unused FSA/HSA funds are at-risk of expiring at the end of December, you still have a bit of time to make sure that does not happen in 2018! Remember that dental offices always fill up around the end of the year, and that some treatment plans take place over the course of multiple appointments. To ensure that you have enough time to complete your dental care and to get the most convenient scheduling, don’t wait to book an appointment with your dentist who accepts your insurance plan in November. Be sure to let them know you are trying to stretch your insurance benefits when you do!
Dr. Mark Fried is a general dentist in Framingham who accepts most major PPO insurance plans. This November, Dr. Fried encourages all patients with insurance coverage to schedule a checkup and cleaning to complete treatment plans before the year is up. To book your visit, give your dentist a call at 508-872-9339.
0 comments