The countdown to the end of the year is officially underway! Which, for many of us, means our dental insurance will reset in just a few weeks. How can you maximize your remaining benefits in 2019? At Ellicott Mills Dental, we’re here to help you answer this question! Whether you need a routine checkup, follow-up treatment, or something more, we can work with you to develop a timeline that maximizes your current and future coverage. In fact, we’ll start by:
Make Your Appointment Early
The end of the year is closer than you think. Especially with all of the holidays ahead, it can be difficult to squeeze in a dental appointment last minute. That’s probably why only 2.8% of people with PPO dental plans actually reach their annual maximum, according to the National Association of Dental Plans. While you’re not required to meet or exceed your benefits each year, you don’t want to underutilize your dental insurance either – you’re paying for it either way.
At a minimum, you should try to schedule your preventative services before December 31st, 2019. Most plans cover 100% of these visits, including cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, and more. So, why not schedule yours now? At Ellicott Mills Dental, we take all PPO plans and we’re in-network with many top insurance providers. We’ll do our best to get you in before the end of the year!
Talk to Your Dentist’s Office
Another great way to ensure you’re maximizing your dental insurance is to simply ask your dentist. While you’re having your basic checkup, talk to your dentist about your needs. Are there any areas of concerns? What treatments (if any) does he/she recommend you receive prior to the end of the year? Once you have this information, you can then work with our friendly office staff at Ellicott Mills Dental to determine what’s covered by your particular plan. They can also help you schedule any recommended treatments efficiently.
Understand Your Benefits Better
While we’re happy to help you interpret your current dental coverage, to truly plan for the future, you need to know more about how your benefits work. Most plans, as we mentioned, reset January 1st of each year. However, some dental insurance policies operate on a completely different plan year. Meaning, your benefits may last several months into 2020. If you’re not sure about the effective date(s) of your policy, we recommend that you review your insurance card, along with more detailed plan information provided by your HR department or insurance provider.
Apart from dental insurance, some of our clients also choose to use funds from their FSA—or flexible spending account—to pay for services at Ellicott Mills Dental. Not every insurance plan offers this option, but it can be a great way to save money pre-taxed throughout the year. Once you make your election, you can then withdraw money before the end of the year to cover benefits above and beyond your basic plan(s). Co-pays, deductibles, orthodontia, dentures, sleep apnea treatment, and more can all be covered by your FSA. Keep in mind that this benefit operates on a use-it-or-lose-it basis, though. If you contribute too much, you won’t be able to get that money back. Still, you can understand your benefits better by asking your employer about rollover options and grace periods for your FSA.
Since we work with dental insurance day in and day out, we fully understand how confusing it can be. But we want to help you maximize your benefits this year! If you have any questions about your current coverage or would like to make an appointment to discuss treatment options before the end of the year, please contact us today!