Use it or lose it! 5 Reasons to use Your Dental Insurance Before the End of the Year

Use it or lose it! 5 Reasons to use Your Dental Insurance Before the End of the Year

1. Unused Benefit Does Not Roll Over
Most insurance companies have a dental benefit deadline of December 31st and unfortunately, any unused benefits cannot be transferred to other family members and do not carry over into the new year. Therefore, any insurance benefit you have not used you will lose.

2. Dental Conditions Can Worsen
Many patients need dental treatment, whether it’s restorations to treat decay or periodontal treatment to clean your teeth. Postponing treatment is counterproductive because dental problems only worsen over time, often requiring more invasive and costly procedures. At Westmount Dental, our goal is provide all of our patients with preventive and proactive care that is in their best interests, lowering the risk of requiring extensive and expensive treatment.

3. Premium = Prepayment
Most people pay a monthly premium for their insurance policy or a portion of their bi-weekly salary has been deducted from their paycheque. This implies that you have already paid indirectly towards your care – all you have to do now is to get the work done!

4. Increased Cost For Care
Each new year fees for dental procedures increase (often in line with inflation) in order to cope with rising costs. Postponing treatment for the subsequent year will often be more expensive, leaving less benefit available for other care.

5. Policy Changes
The end of a policy year provides an opportunity for employers and insurance companies to make changes to the benefit provided to patients. Historically, many employers switch to less expensive policies and insurers modify their policies to reduce benefits as both seek to reduce their expenses. These changes often take effect on the renewal date which is January 1st. Waiting for the new year to proceed with treatment often results in reduced benefits and higher copayments for you, as a patient.

We advise that you call now to schedule your ongoing preventive maintenance care with our office. Do not wait until December to reserve an appointment as our doctors and hygienists get booked up well in advance with university students home from school, kids and parents who are on winter break, and with patients who want to use up their benefit by December 31st.