It’s that time of year again; lots of presents, lots of family, cozy evenings by the fire, and, of course, reviewing your dental benefits! Ok, we know that’s not the first thing on your mind this holiday season, but taking advantage of what your dental insurance offers before the year runs out can come in very handy.
Dental Benefits: Use it or Lose it!
Did you know that only 39% of adults visited the dentist in 2021? That means lots of people aren’t using their benefits to the fullest. Think of the photos. All those family postcards, email updates, and candid snapshots of everyone enjoying themselves during the holidays. When was the last time you got your teeth cleaned? Whitened? Most dental insurance companies include preventative care, which includes biannual check-ups, teeth cleanings, x-rays, fluoride rinses, and cancer screenings. Typically, most dental insurances do not allow benefits to roll over into the new year, so if you haven’t used up your allotted visits, you’ll lose them.
What Treatments Do Dental Benefits Cover?
If you find that you or a family member has got something more serious than unclean teeth, don’t worry, most dental insurances also cover basic or restorative care. This includes things like fillings, crowns, cavities, gingivitis, or oral infections.
If you’re worried about who is covered under your dental insurance, federally, insurance companies must allow dependents to stay on the family health insurance until they are 19 years old. Beyond that, it is up to each insurance company to decide how long dependents can share the insurance. There have been extensions for young adults to stay on until 26 years of age.
Let’s say you’re covered but you’re not looking forward to that co-pay. Sometimes it’s the cost that stops us from seeing the dentist. One of the benefits that certain jobs give their employees are flexible spending accounts. These accounts let you hold money in one place just for medical expenses, tax free. Each year the employee can decide how much money to put aside into the account and then has the year to use it for themselves, their spouse, and children. Most FSA plans do not allow carry over to the next year, however, your employer can determine specific allowances. If you haven’t gotten a procedure, such as a regular dental check up, or if you want something special done, like veneers or whitening treatment, check out what you have left in your account.
You’ve Got Time!
Most of us have at least a day or two, if not a week off from work during the holidays. Now, we know that making a trip to the dentist may not be your idea of a holiday, but treating yourself to a procedure like whitening will make it worth it. Not only does it make your smile brighter, but it can boost your confidence too. Remember the photos? There are some insurances that cover cosmetic dental procedures, but usually, dental insurance does not cover teeth whitening. If you have been in an accident or injured your mouth in any way, your dentist may consider whitening medical necessary and insurance may cover it. Other cosmetic dental procedures you may want to consider are veneers, crowns, or bridges to make your smile the way you want it. Time to break out that FSA card before the year ends.
If you’re without dental insurance, the Health Insurance Marketplace gives you time to enroll. If you sign up before December 15 of this year, you can have coverage on January 1, 2025. If you miss it, there are special enrollment periods that extend the date due to circumstances such as a life event, a loss of insurance, getting married, or having a baby.
The end of the year comes up fast, and goes by even faster with the holidays. Make sure you got the most out of your dental insurance (get that cleaning!) before you lose it.
Sandy Springs Smile Central! Best Dentists in the Atlanta Area
As the year wraps up and schedules fill with holiday plans, don’t let your dental benefits go to waste! Our team is here to help you get the most from your coverage and ensure your smile is holiday-ready. Appointments are filling up quickly, so reach out soon to secure your spot before the year ends. We look forward to helping you achieve a brighter, healthier smile! Book today!
Posted on behalf of Creative Dentistry & MedSpa