3 Reasons to Use Your Dental Insurance Benefits Before 2024

The end of the year is quickly approaching. If you’re not careful, you could end up letting these last few months go by and lose out on valuable dental insurance benefits that are rightfully yours. The money you spend each month toward your premium grants you access to these available savings, but if you’re still not convinced that you should call to schedule an appointment today, here are three reasons you should use your benefits before 2024.

Your Benefits Are Only Good for One Year

When you enroll in a dental insurance policy, the benefits you receive are likely to only be good for a single year. This means you have 12 months to use these available funds to improve the health of your smile.

However, if any remaining money is left unused (i.e., annual maximum) by the end of the year, it is returned to the insurance company. Many people assume it just rolls over, but it doesn’t. Instead, on January 1, 2024, your deductible will reset to $0, and you will be responsible for meeting it again before your insurance company agrees to pay more for your oral healthcare needs.

You may be surprised to learn that nearly $100 billion is lost in unused benefits each year by adults in the United States, so do not miss out on this money that is rightfully yours.

Your Preventive Services Matter

Each year, your dental insurance company provides preventive and restorative benefits. The reason many insurers offer 80-100% coverage for dental checkups and teeth cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatment, and more is that these services are designed to reduce the potential for more complex and extensive restorative treatment in the future.

If you are not already scheduled for your six-month checkups and cleanings, do not wait any longer. These visits make it possible for you to avoid more serious issues that can have a negative impact on your oral and overall health.

By seeing your dentist twice each year, you not only get to take proper care of your smile year-round, but you’ll also save not having to spend out of pocket to see your dentist for these beneficial appointments.

You Will Save More Once You Meet Your Deductible

Although no one wants to undergo major restorative dental procedures, they may be necessary if an infection or injury occurs. If your dentist recommends a root canal, tooth extraction, dental bridge, or another similar service, do not wait until 2024.

Getting the procedure completed in 2023 will ensure that your dental insurance company pays more. After meeting your deductible, they are responsible for a greater portion of the bill, which means you are likely to pay less if you move forward with treatment now instead of later.

With the holidays right around the corner, make sure you keep more of it in your pocket so that you can spend it on the ones you love, not on a dental procedure. By using your benefits now, you can save and look forward to a healthier smile in 2024.

About the Author
Dr. Darrick Castleberry is a trusted dentist in Houston who is a graduate of the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. After completing a General Practice Residency with the U.S. Navy, he now oversees a team of professionals at The Castleberry Center. Offering affordable services to patients looking for optimal oral healthcare, he encourages everyone who visits our office to use their available benefits before they expire. Visit our website or call (281) 320-9600.