Use your Dental Benefits before they Expire

use dental benefits before they expireMiami and Coral Gables, FL

At the end of the year, most of us are thinking about others. They have gifts to buy and family to visit during the holiday season. Before the calendar turns to January, however, you should consider investing in yourself and use any unspent dental benefits before they expire.

Here are five reasons why December can be the ideal time to visit your Miami dentist

  1. Yearly maximums: If you have dental insurance, your plan includes a maximum amount that can be spent on your dental care within a year. This amount varies depending on your insurance company and specific plan, but it typically averages about $1,000 per individual. Most dental plans operate on a calendar year schedule, which means that, as of January 1, they reset. That also means that any unused money simply goes forfeited.
  2. Deductibles: Your deductible is how much money that must be paid out of pocket before your dental benefits begin to cover the cost of care. Just like yearly maximums, your deductible varies depending on your insurance company, your plan, and whether you go to a dentist outside of your coverage network. And, just like a yearly maximum, your deductible resets when your plan rolls over to a new year. For this reason, many people schedule extensive or costly procedures near the end of the year so that their benefits will cover a greater percentage of the total cost.
  3. Premiums: Your premium is how much money you pay per month in order to have your insurance. This money comes out of your paycheck or bank account automatically each month. You already have earned the benefits that come with your insurance, but many households do not exercise their entire benefits, which means their money goes right to the insurance company while receiving nothing in return.
  4. Fees: Insurance is a business like any other and like many businesses, have to increase their prices as time passes. The fees your insurance company charges providers may increase from one year to the next to cover changes in the cost of living or the increased expense of certain materials or equipment. These fee increases often get passed on to customers, as medical providers charge higher copays.
  5. Dental problems: If you have any issue with your oral health, it will not go away on its own. Ignoring a problem now or delaying seeing your dentist now will entail needing more extensive treatments. What now may require just receiving a small filling for your cavity may turn into major procedures such as a root canal or extraction down the road. Why take that risk? Regular dental care is a key component of maintaining oral health, so you owe it to your health and your wallet to maximize your dental benefits before they expire.

Miami Dentist

Have unused dental benefits? Visit your local Miami dentist at Miami Designer Smiles for any treatment you might need or want. Doing so before the end of the year allows you to maximize your benefits. If you would like to schedule an appointment, or you have any questions about your dental insurance, call our office today at (305) 595-4616.

Miami Designer Smiles is here to provide the finest level of oral health care for patients in Miami and Coral Gables, Florida.