The end of the year is drawing near, and that means one thing: the holidays will be here before you know it. Pretty soon, your schedule will be filled with parties, gatherings, and all kinds of festivities that make this time of the year truly special. With all the socializing (and eating) you’re bound to do, it’s an excellent reason to visit your dentist in Medford and make sure your teeth are healthy and up to the task. Too busy? Well, what if we told you that by scheduling an appointment before the end of the year, you could easily save thousands of dollars on your dental care?
Save Before 2018
So now that we have your attention, the big question on your mind is probably, “Why is it so important that I see my dentist before the end of the year?”
The reason is quite simple actually, but it takes a bit of explanation. See, if you have dental insurance, it likely has something called an annual maximum, which is the highest dollar amount of care your plan will cover per person, per year. On average, this amount tends to be about $1,250. Most people only receive about $323 worth of dental care each year, leaving about $927 leftover. That’s OK, right? You’ll just save that money until you really need it…Unfortunately, that’s not how dental insurance works.
On January 1st, your annual maximum will reset back to its original amount, so what happens to all that extra money? It goes straight back to the insurance company. The reason you probably haven’t heard of this before is that it is great for the insurance companies’ bottom line. Last year alone, they raked in about $150 BILLION worth of unused benefits. If you have dental insurance and haven’t met your maximum yet, you’re at risk of losing money too, and in all likelihood, it’s your teeth that will pay the price.
What to Do About It
So now that you have this knowledge, what can you actually do with it?
Like we mentioned at the beginning, it’s a great idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist before the end of the year. If you’ve only had one checkup and cleaning so far, schedule another one. Not only will this appointment likely be completely or mostly covered by your insurance, but it will also give your dentist the opportunity to catch and treat any dental problems you might have that could ruin your holidays.
Or, if you need to get a tooth repaired or replaced, the best thing you can do is actually start the process now. You’ll not only be taking care of your smile, but you’ll likely save while doing it. Waiting till next year will just see you paying more for the same treatment you could get now for much less.
There’s Still Time!
You have plenty of time before the holidays really kick into gear, so now is your best chance to take care of your teeth and save with your insurance. You work hard to afford your dental benefits, so you deserve to get the most out of them that you can, and by simply maximizing your insurance before 2018, you’ll not only be taking care of your smile, but your wallet as well.
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Giamberardino is a general, restorative, and cosmetic dentist based in Medford, MA. He believes that dentistry should be as affordable as possible, which is why he’s always happy to share insurance tips with his patients. To learn more about how you could save at your next appointment, he can be contacted through his website.