Use It or Lose It

What does "Use It or Lose It" mean in dentistry:

Most dental insurances have annual maximums that will reset to zero on January 1st. What this means is that any unused funds from the yearly limit will be permanently lost if they are not used. If you have paid premiums all year for your dental insurance plan, and the benefits go untouched, then those would be wasted for that calendar year.

There are a few things to consider when postponing procedures until the end of the year. The last three months of the year schedules fill up fast before holiday closures. Cleanings are also the most difficult to find openings because the average patient scheduled six months ago at their last appointment, leaving very few options. Another consideration is complex treatments can require multiple visits over serval weeks, and insurance may pay on the last appointment date, also known as the seat or delivery appointment. When it comes to complex treatment plans, another benefit to starting this work in the fall is the ability to split it up across two calendar years to maximize dual maximums. Lastly, catching small cavities prevents costly root canals.

An Action Plan to Maximize Benefits

1.       Book your routine checkup and cleaning immediately.

2.       Request a formal treatment plan from your dentist.

3.       Check your remaining annual maximum with your provider or with your insurance provider.

4.       Coordinate multi-phase procedures (like crowns) across benefit years.