Why do dental insurance benefits expire on December 31?
Most dental insurance plans run on a calendar year. Each plan has an annual maximum, the most it will pay toward your care in a year, and on January 1 that amount resets. Whatever you didn't use is simply gone; it doesn't roll over into the new year.
Your deductible usually resets on January 1 too. If you've already met this year's deductible, treatment you finish before December 31 may cost you less than the same treatment in January, when you'd have to meet a new deductible first.
What should Boca Raton patients schedule before the year ends?
Start with the visits most plans cover generously. Then look at any treatment your dentist has already recommended.
- Your second cleaning and exam of the year — many plans cover two preventive visits a year
- Digital X-rays, if you're due
- Tooth-colored fillings for small cavities, before they grow into bigger repairs
- Crowns or bridges your dentist has already recommended
- Treatment you postponed earlier in the year
How do I find out how much of my dental insurance is left?
Log in to your insurance carrier's member portal or call the number on the back of your card. Ask for your remaining annual maximum, whether you've met your deductible, and how often your plan covers cleanings and X-rays.
Prefer not to make that call? Our team at Boca Dental Arts can verify your benefits before your visit and file your claims for you, so you know what to expect before any treatment begins.
Why book your Boca Raton dentist appointment now, not in late December?
Every year, dental offices across Boca Raton fill up in December as patients rush to use their benefits. Our office is open Monday through Thursday and sees one patient at a time, so appointment times in the last weeks of the year are limited.
Booking in November gives you room to schedule a follow-up visit, if you need one, before your benefits reset.
Can I use FSA or HSA money at the dentist too?
Often, yes. Many flexible spending accounts (FSAs) have their own year-end deadline, and dental care is a common qualified expense. Check your plan's rules and deadline, then pair those funds with your remaining insurance to cover more of your care this year.
Visit Boca Dental Arts on Powerline Road
Boca Dental Arts is a dentist in Boca Raton at 21073 Powerline Rd, convenient for patients in West Boca, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach and Parkland. Dr. Axel McGuffie and Dr. Ari Forman see one patient at a time, with massage chairs, warm blankets and clear, no-pressure explanations.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a professional examination. For advice about your own smile, call Boca Dental Arts at (561) 235-5424.