December 31 Year EndWhat if someone gave you free money to spend on improving your smile? With one string attached: use it all by New Years’, or lose it. Well, for those fortunate enough to have insurance, there are several ways to take advantage of your plan’s benefits before they expire at the end of the year.

Many dental insurance policies provide a certain dollar amount of coverage to be provided over one calendar year (January through December). Benefit money not used by December 31 is not carried over into the new year. It’s lost forever. So now’s the perfect time to check if you have insurance benefits still available through the end of the year, and schedule an appointment to use them. Or, if costs are going to exceed this year’s annual limit, consider spreading the treatments over two years.

Alternatively, if your insurance plan requires you to pay a deductible, and if you have already reached that maximum for the year, then any additional treatment would be covered by your plan. For these cases, it is especially important to get the most out of your plan before you’re facing a new deductible.

If you think you might have some expiring insurance benefits then please give us a call. We’d be happy to help you take advantage while you still can—and even explain some of that murky insurance language along the way.