Right now is a great time to go ahead and plan your child’s end-of-the-year dental appointment, before your family’s insurance coverage runs out. If you didn’t know already, most insurance plans run from January to December, with coverage expiring and resetting on New Year’s Day.
Should I Use or Lose My Dental Benefits?
Most dental insurance policies cover preventative services like cleanings and exams at 100% throughout the year. But basic or major restorative treatments tend to be capped at an allowance of $1,000-1,500, depending on your family’s coverage. What that means is that your insurance plan will pay up to that amount per year until it runs out. Anything you don’t use before December 31st simply goes away; you can’t roll it into next year.
If your child has a cavity that needs to be treated, right now is a great time to plan their appointment. Any remaining benefits can be applied to their procedure so that they don’t go to waste. And chances are you’ve already made some payments toward your child or family’s deductible, further reducing your overall out-of-pocket expenses. Whereas if you wait a few months, the deductible needs to be repaid and the cavity could be even worse (requiring additional treatment.)
Do I Need to Use the Benefits by the End of the Year?
If your child is caught up on dental cleanings and doesn’t have any active decay, then it’s best to keep on a six-month checkup schedule. But if you know there’s an area that needs to be addressed—or they’ve been complaining of a toothache—the smartest thing to do is plan a visit before the holidays get here. That way you can maximize your coverage allowance and limit any impact on your family’s holiday budget.
Depending on the care your child needs, some of the treatment could be completed now (before benefits expire) and then again later (when benefits reset.) This strategy keeps treatments minimally invasive to your child’s teeth while also limiting your portion of the treatment fees. It essentially allows you to split two years of coverage within the period of just 2-3 months.
When Should I Schedule an Appointment to Use My Remaining Benefits?
Today. End-of-the-year pediatric dental appointments tend to fill up quickly. Especially when the kids are out of school on Thanksgiving or Christmas Break. With all of the holiday festivities headed our direction, appointments tend to go fast. So, if you know your child needs dental attention or you’ve been waiting for the pandemic to die down before making an appointment, right now is one of the last opportunities you’ll have for using your 2021 dental benefits. And if you’ve been thinking about an orthodontic evaluation for your child, this is also a great time to reserve an exam.
Any treatment that’s initiated before December 31st will apply to the current year of coverage before this year’s benefits run out.
A Healthy Approach to Children’s Dentistry
Tooth decay can spread quite rapidly in children’s teeth. What only requires a small filling to repair today could easily evolve into a root canal or crown by next year. By treating dental issues early, you can prevent painful dental emergencies and extra treatment for your child.
Early intervention stops the spread of decay from tooth to tooth. It also promotes healthy tooth eruption patterns, as your child’s permanent smile is dependent upon healthy baby teeth to guide them into place. Stopping the cycle of decay is crucial, as it can spiral out of control if it’s not treated early.
Visit Our Kids Dentist in Brighton
Kids City Dental offers comprehensive pediatric dentistry and orthodontics services under one roof. Children of all ages are welcome here. Contact our kid’s dentist in Brighton today to reserve your child’s next appointment.