How to save | Leverage the calendar (for patients with insurance)
Dental insurance benefits typically reset or "roll over" once per year. At the rollover date, you are considered to
have used none of your annual benefits. Good news: the full maximimum benefit (typically $1000-$2000 per year) amount is available to you. Bad news:
You are responsible for your deductible before benefits kick in. By timing your family's dental visits smartly around
the rollover date, you can take better advantage of your dental insurance benefits.
When to visit the dentist BEFORE the rollover date
- If you need dental work and have not used the current year's maximimum benefit, schedule the procedures for this year
and leave next year's benefit available for next year.
- If you need multiple dental procedures that cost in total more than your annual maximimum insurance benefit, schedule
some of the procedures for the current year and remaining procedures for next year.
When to visit the dentist AFTER the rollover date
- If you used your maximimum insurance benefit for the current year, consider scheduling your
next dental visit for next
year. Ask your dentist about the risk involved in delaying the procedure.
Warning: Dentistry is about your health. Before you consider gaming the timing of dental procedures
to save a few bucks, discuss the health implications with your dentist.
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