Use your dental benefits before December 31: a San Antonio guide

You pay for dental insurance all year, but many people never use all of it. Most dental plans reset every January, and unused benefits usually don't carry over. If you have benefits left, now is the time to find out how much and put them to work.

What happens to your benefits in January

Most dental plans run on the calendar year, so three things start over on January 1:

• Your yearly maximum. This is the most your plan will pay in a year. Whatever you didn't use is usually gone. A few plans let you roll some over, so it's worth asking.
• Your deductible. This is what you pay before your plan starts paying for certain treatment. If you've already met it this year, you'd have to meet it again next year.
• Your cleanings and exams. Many plans include two a year. A cleaning you skip this year doesn't usually add an extra one next year.

Some plans run on a different schedule, such as a plan year that follows your employer's calendar. That's one of the things we can check for you.

How to find out what you have left

1. Call us with your member ID card. We can verify your benefits for you. Just call 210-545-3929.
2. Or check your plan's website or app. Look for "annual maximum used" or "benefits remaining."
3. Or call the number on your card. Ask how much of your yearly maximum is left, whether your deductible is met, and when your plan year ends.

Good ways to use your benefits before the year ends

• Your checkup and cleaning. If you haven't had one in the last six months, this is the easiest place to start.
• A filling you've been putting off. Small cavities keep growing. Fixing one now usually costs less than waiting until it needs a crown or a root canal.
• A crown. A crown usually takes two visits, about two weeks apart, so it's smart to start early. If you're wondering about price, read how much a dental crown costs.
• Gum treatment. If you've been told you need a deep cleaning, it's often done over two visits.

Every plan is different, and coverage varies. We verify your benefits before any procedure, so you'll know your cost before we start.

Bigger treatment: can you split it across two years?

Sometimes, yes. If you need more work than one yearly maximum will cover, it may be possible to do part of it this year and part of it after January, so you can use two years of benefits. It depends on your treatment and your plan, and it isn't right for every problem. Dr. Bhatti will tell you honestly whether it's safe to wait.

Why not wait until December?

Waiting makes it harder to finish in time. Many people remember their benefits at the last minute, holidays shorten the calendar, and treatment like a crown takes more than one visit. Our office is open Monday to Thursday, so starting in November gives you more choices.

Have a Medicare Advantage plan?

Many Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits, and those usually reset in January too. If you're not sure whether yours includes dental, take our 1-minute Medicare dental check or read does Medicare cover dental in Texas?

Have an FSA or HSA?

Dental care is generally an eligible expense for both. FSA money often has a use-it-or-lose-it deadline, though some employers give extra time or let you carry over a small amount, so check with your plan. HSA money stays yours from year to year.

No insurance?

Our Serenity Care membership covers 2 cleanings, 2 exams and X-rays for $365 a year, plus 15% off treatment. Monthly payment plans are available through Cherry.

Common questions