If you were to learn that each year, more than 160 million people with private dental insurance lose more than $900 in unused dental benefits, would you believe it? When you calculate all of that wasted money, it totals more than $152 billion! Since most people would agree that is a lot of money, why not find out how you can maximize your dental insurance benefits to keep from being one of the millions who watch their money disappear at the end of the year.

DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT EXPECT TO ROLLOVER BENEFITS

When it comes to discussing dental insurance, the first important fact you should know is that your benefits will not roll over with each calendar year. Essentially, it is a “use them or lose them” situation. If this doesn’t sound fair to you, you’re not alone. That infected tooth you need a root canal to fix can be easily completed in 2021, saving you lots of money; however, if you wait until 2022, what might have cost you only a few hundred dollars the previous year might put you in the upward regions of a few thousand dollars in 2022. Why?

Because no matter how much you accrued toward your deductible or annual maximum, it vanishes on January 1 and resets to zero, causing you to start all over again.

If this is new information to you, here are a few ways you can take advantage of these last few months of 2021 and get the most out of your benefits.

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE PREVENTIVE CARE

While each dental insurance plan is different, you might be lucky enough to receive two regular dental checkups and cleanings each year that are covered all or in part by your insurance company. Consider this free money to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This should have you dialing your dentist to schedule these appointments as soon as possible. If you’ve already had your first checkup but still need a second, make sure you take care of it before 2021 is over.

DON’T DITCH YOUR DEDUCTIBLE

If you’ve met your deductible, it’s simple: let your insurance company pay for that necessary tooth extraction. By allowing them to pay more for this type of major service now, you can feel more confident about purchasing those plane tickets for your upcoming spring break vacation. If you wait, you’ll likely be driving to your spring break location because the money you would have used to fly will now be spent on a costly dental procedure.

This year is quickly coming to a close and with all the upcoming changes you are planning for in 2021, don’t let spending more money on dental work be one of them. Take care of your oral health now and let your dental team help you navigate the best way to maximize your dental plan.

About the Practice

At Breckinridge Dental & Orthodontics, our team of seven dental professionals all work together to make sure every patient receives personalized care in a warm and welcoming environment. Understanding that dental work, no matter how extensive, can be expensive, we will assist in helping you save more money on the benefits you’re already paying for each month. Don’t let 2021 slip by!  Contact us at (972) 248-9119 and let us help you maximize your dental insurance benefits.