November is here, and that means the end of the year is just around the corner! While you’re making holiday plans, shopping lists, and preparing for the busy season, there’s one important thing you may not have thought about: your dental insurance benefits.
If you have dental insurance, now is an excellent time to review your coverage and make sure you’re getting the most out of the benefits available to you.
What Does “Use It or Lose It” Mean?
Many dental insurance plans operate on an annual benefit period. This means your plan may provide a certain amount of coverage each year toward eligible dental services.
Depending on your specific policy, unused annual benefits may not roll over into the following year. If your plan resets on January 1, any unused benefits could be lost when the new benefit period begins.
Essentially, if you’ve been putting off that dental appointment, you could be missing an opportunity to use benefits you’ve already been paying for.
Why November Is a Great Time to Schedule Your Dental Visit
Waiting until December to schedule dental care can leave you scrambling for an available appointment.
November gives you a little breathing room to:
- Schedule your regular dental cleaning and examination.
- Address dental concerns you’ve been putting off.
- Discuss recommended treatment with your dental team.
- Review your remaining annual insurance benefits.
- Plan any necessary treatment before your benefits reset.
Even if you don’t have any noticeable dental concerns, keeping up with preventive care is an important part of maintaining a healthy smile.
Don’t Ignore Recommended Dental Treatment
Have you been told you need a filling, crown, or another dental procedure but haven’t scheduled it yet?
Now is a good time to revisit that treatment plan.
Delaying recommended dental care can sometimes allow a small problem to become a bigger one. Depending on your insurance coverage and treatment needs, completing eligible treatment before your benefit period ends may also help you make better use of your available coverage.
Your dental team can help you understand your options and prioritize treatment.
Questions to Ask About Your Dental Insurance
Before the end of the year, contact your insurance provider or dental office and ask:
- What is my annual maximum?
- How much of my annual benefit have I used?
- Do I have any remaining preventive or treatment benefits?
- Does my plan allow unused benefits to roll over?
- When does my current benefit period end?
- Are there waiting periods, deductibles, or other limitations I should know about?
Remember, dental insurance plans vary. Your individual policy determines which services are covered and when benefits reset.
Make Your Smile a Priority Before the Holidays
Between holiday gatherings, family visits, and end-of-year responsibilities, it’s easy to put your dental health on the back burner.
But your smile deserves attention, too!
Taking care of your dental needs now can help you head into the new year feeling confident about your oral health and your dental care plan.
Don’t wait until December to find out you have unused dental benefits!
Contact GPS Dental today to schedule your appointment and discuss your remaining dental insurance benefits.
GPS Dental is happy to help you understand your dental benefit information. Insurance verification is not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Benefits are determined by your individual insurance plan.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek is a dental implant dentist and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.
