2017 is quickly wrapping up, and that means that a lot of different things are happening all at once. The holidays will be here before you know it, so everyone is starting to get busier as their schedules fill up with parties, feasts, and various other gatherings. This time of the year also means that your dental insurance benefits are about to reset, which means you could instantly lose thousands of dollars in care on January 1st. Is this news to you? If so, you’re not alone! Read on to learn about how you could save thousands on your dental care simply by scheduling an appointment with your dentist in El Reno before the end of the year.
The Big Reset
Most dental insurance plans have what is called an annual maximum, which is the highest dollar amount of care a plan will cover per person, per year. This amount tends to average around $1,250, but most people only receive about $323 worth of dental care each year, leaving about $927 leftover. But that’s OK, right? You’ll just use that money when you really need it.
Unfortunately, that money is NOT going to roll over to the next year, and instead the maximum will just reset. That means at midnight on December 31st, the millions of people with dental insurance will collectively lose billions of dollars in benefits.
Where does that money go? Straight back to the insurance company. Last year alone, dental insurance providers raked in about $150 BILLION in unused dental benefits. On the individual level, that usually means thousands lost in potential care, and it’s usually their smile that pays the price.
What You Can Do About It
So now that you know that this big reset is coming, how can you make sure you won’t lose money at the end of the year?
The simple answer is to max out your dental insurance in El Reno before 2018. If you have only had one checkup and cleaning so far this year, be sure to schedule another one. Your insurance will likely completely cover this appointment, and it will allow your dentist to make sure your teeth are perfectly healthy for the holidays.
If you’re in need of some restorative dental work, you can get the process started now, and you’ll save money while you do it. Or, if you need to finish up some dental work you’ve already started, you can get it completed and your benefits will probably cover a sizeable portion of it.
In the end, dental insurance is intended to help people take care of their teeth and their wallet, and by getting the most out of your coverage every year, you’ll be doing exactly that. Over the long term, your teeth will be much healthier and you’ll spend less on dental care overall. That’s what we call a win-win! Be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist before the end of the year so you can save!
About the Author
Dr. Adam Cohlmia is a family, restorative, and cosmetic dentist based in El Reno, OK. At his practice, El Reno Family Dentistry, he and his team offer a comprehensive array of services in a friendly and welcoming environment. They do whatever they can to help patients save on their dental care, and that includes maximizing their insurance benefits. If you’d like to schedule an appointment and make sure your teeth are ready for the holidays, he can be contacted through his website.