According to the National Association of Dental Plans, approximately 249.1 million people in the United States have dental benefits — or about 77% of the population. Two thirds of that number receives benefits through private insurance.
Despite the high coverage of dental benefits in the US, some sources still estimate that as many as 1 in 3 Americans do not see a dentist each year. That’s despite the fact that most dental insurance plans completely cover two checkups and cleanings.
Your dentist in Annapolis is committed to helping you enjoy the very best in oral health, and this month, that means reminding you to take advantage of your unused dental insurance benefits for 2017. Most plans are set on a calendar year, and any money you have left to use in this cycle will not roll over to 2018.
Keep reading to find out how you can make the most out of your investment in dental insurance before time runs out!
How Dental Insurance Works
In exchange for the premium you pay monthly, you are eligible for a certain amount of money to be used towards necessary services after you have met your deductible. This annual maximum dollar amount can range from $1,000 to $1,500. Because your dental insurance benefits do not rollover from year to year, any amount that you have remaining towards your annual maximum at the end of 2017 will be forfeited.
You can use your dental insurance benefits to help pay for services like…
- Preventive care: Checkups and cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants for children
- Restorative care: Fillings, extractions, root canals, inlay/onlays, dental crowns
- Tooth replacement: Dentures and partials, dental crowns, dental bridges
- Orthodontics
FSAs and HSAs Run Out, Too
If you pay for dental care through a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you are also at risk of losing any leftover funds when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. You may be able to roll over a small portion of money to use in 2018, but the majority of what you or your employer has set aside will be forfeited. In addition to your necessary dental care, you can also use your FSA and HSA money to help pay for special equipment like mouthguards for bruxism, orthodontics, and sleep apnea treatment.
Act Now for Your Oral Health
November and December are busy months for any dental practice. If you have dental insurance but have not received two checkups and cleanings in 2017 or if you have a treatment plan that needs to be completed, don’t hesitate to get in touch and schedule an appointment right now for the most convenient scheduling.
About the Authors
Dr. A. Gary Goodman and Dr. Jeremy Goodman are trusted providers of high quality comprehensive dental care for families in and around Annapolis, MD. To learn more about their services or to maximize your insurance benefits before the year is up, you are invited to contact the “dentist near me” you are searching for at 410-263-1919.