As the end of the year is in sight, it’s time to think about dental and medical benefits that may expire on December 31. While dental insurance plans differ in their specific benefits, they typically have some commonalities, like providing a higher levels of coverage for one or two dental cleanings a year and paying toward basic and major dental procedures like fillings, extractions, crowns, dentures and implants, to name a few.
Just like you want to maximize your tax deductions for the year, you also want to take advantage of your dental benefits. There’s no reason to leave those on the table. Once they’re gone, you can’t claim them again, and the services you get with them are of great personal health benefit.
Keep this in mind when looking at your benefits:
- Benefit period: Dental insurance plans typically have a one-year benefit period, though it’s not always a calendar year. Some plans end on December 31, while others may end on May 31. That’s important to know when planning out your dental care.
- Deductible: How much you have to pay before your insurance begins to kick in. The deductible might be per family, or per individual.
- Maximum: The most the insurance plans will pay toward your dental work in a benefit year. This is usually $1,000- $1,500. This amount has not changed in over 40 years, when it was considered a reasonable level of coverage each year. If you adjusted for inflation the annual maximum would be about $5,000 now, but employers have sought to keep their benefit costs down. Sometimes a patient may need dental care that exceeds the annual insurance maximum. The good news is that you can still take advantage of the reduced fees that many insurance plans set.
- Pre–treatment estimate: Your St. Petersburg FL dental office can provide you with an estimate of what your recommended dental work will cost, and what insurance will likely pay. If you’ve already met your deductible for the year, it’s smart to complete the work before year-end.
- Excluded care: Dental benefits are wonderful to help in paying for some of your dental needs. Dental insurance plans may not cover everything. The limitations of your dental insurance plan may seem arbitrary and may not relate to the treatment you need or want. We are here to help you maximize your insurance benefits. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
Here are some procedures and dental care often covered in full or in part by your dental plan:
- Dental cleaning
- Fillings
- Dentures
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Root canals
- Dental implants
- Periodontal care
- Sedation dentistry
- Emergency dental work
- Orthodontic care
For questions about how to maximize your dental benefits before the year ends, contact your dentist in St. Petersburg FL.
Don’t put it off any longer. At Klement Family Dental we’ll help you make the absolute most of your dental insurance benefits! Nothing is more important to us than your comfort and absolute satisfaction with all aspects of your dental health. Please call us today for your October, November or December appointment! We are looking forward to seeing you!
