Most people assume their dental insurance covers it all until they see the fine print. Every plan has a limit — a limit beyond which your insurance no longer pays and you pick up the bill. That limit is called your dental insurance annual maximum, and knowing how it functions can save you money, stress, and unexpected bills in the future.
Your dental plan gives you a fixed amount each year that it will pay for your treatment. When you reach that, the balance is paid out of pocket. The problem is that most people never use the money they have already paid for. That is when the “use it or lose it” phrase is actually true. Unused benefits do not roll over to the following year – they simply disappear.
How Annual Maximums Work
Your annual maximum is renewed annually, normally on January 1. That means the clock starts anew on how much coverage you still have. Let’s say your plan has preventive visits and a percentage of large procedures. Each time you visit your dentist for cleanings, fillings, or crowns, those costs chip away at your limit.
Mid-year is a great time to check your dental insurance calendar. This would enable you to prepare in case you need more extensive treatments. For instance, you can schedule larger treatments every other benefit year — one this December and one early next year to make the most out of both yearly limits. This strategy enables you to stretch your dental coverage and pay large sums at once under your dental insurance plan.
Why It Pays to Know Your Annual Maximum
Forgetting your annual maximum can result in a loss. Preventive care like cleanings and exams usually don’t use up much of your benefit, but help you avoid more expensive issues that can blow past your annual limit later on. You should also remember that waiting until after your benefits are reinstated to get the care that you need can mean new deductibles or higher out-of-pocket costs.
If you’ve already paid for it with your premiums, not using it is equivalent to having money on the table. Treat your dental plan like a health investment – an investment that pays back consistently. By being proactive, you can enjoy healthy teeth without costing an arm and a leg.
Plan Smart Before the Year Ends
As the end of the year approaches, dental offices get busy with patients trying to schedule before their benefits expire. Booking your appointment now ensures you’ll have time to complete any pending treatment while still using the funds available under your dental insurance plan.
The bottom line is this: being aware of your dental insurance annual maximums puts you in control of making smarter choices for your smile. Don’t let benefits go to waste. Use what you earned, protect your grin, and start the new year off right.
Schedule your next appointment at Legacy Dental today to review your benefits and arrange the care you deserve before it’s too late.
