Press Release: Dakota Dental Reminds Patients to Use Their Remaining Dental Benefits Before 2019

For patients who have yet to schedule their annual dental cleanings, or who still have benefits remaining in their current dental care plan, time is of the essence. Dakota Dental reminds patients to use their remaining dental benefits before they expire in the new year.

Similar to major medical health plans, dental insurance policies typically run on a calendar year. Plans may cover up to 100% of preventative care services (i.e. twice a year hygiene appointments) and include an annual deductible that a patient must first meet by paying out of pocket to receive full coverage for services or dental treatments performed.

In addition, every dental insurance policy will include an annual maximum amount that goes toward the patient’s dental care. Amounts will vary but if the patient has a balance left over, and it remains unused by the end of the year, the patient will lose that leftover sum. That means if a patient has an annual maximum of $2,000 and only uses $500 by December 31st of that same year, the patient will lose the remaining balance come January 1st of the next year. Therefore, if patients are putting off a dental procedure, such as a tooth filling or wisdom teeth removal, they will need to use their new annual maximum, instead of using the remaining balance from the previous year.

Similarly, if a patient has reached his or her deductible and is in need of a particular dental procedure but waits until the new year to make an appointment, they will need to meet a brand-new deductible, which may be higher than the previous plan.

It’s recommended that patients visit the dentist at least twice a year for preventative dentistry. If your insurance covers your hygiene appointments, and you’ve already visited your dentist once this year, you still have a remaining appointment left over, which will not roll over into the next year. Therefore, you need to use it before you lost it.

Patients will save money and get the most value from their dental care benefits by meeting with their family dentist to review the current policy and receive the dental care services they need to maintain good oral health and avoid dental issues that may require expensive treatments.

To learn whether you have benefits remaining in your dental plan, contact the Apple Valley dentists at Dakota Dental. We’ll be happy to discuss your remaining benefits, help you get the dental services you still need, and answer any questions you may have.