Make the Most of Your Dental Benefits: Use It or Lose It

If you have dental insurance, you might have benefits remaining that you haven't used yet. Most plans operate on an annual cycle, and whatever you don't use before your plan year ends is lost. For my Dearborn, MI, patients who've been putting off the care they need, the end of the year is a great time to get started.

My team at Dearborn Family Dentistry has been helping patients make the most of their dental care for more than 70 years. Whether you're due for a routine visit or ready to move forward with treatment you've been considering, we're here to help you finish the year with a healthier smile and make sure your coverage doesn't go to waste.

*Not all insurance plans cover specific treatments, and benefits do not expire on a universal date. Patients should confirm their individual benefits, treatment coverage, and year-end date with their insurance provider.

How It Works

Understanding Dental Insurance Benefits

We accept most dental insurance plans here at Dearborn Family Dentistry and can verify your coverage before treatment begins so there are no surprises. Some insurance terms you should know include:

Don't Forget

A Note About FSA Funds

Your employer-sponsored Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can also contribute to dental work, but the money typically expires at the end of the year unless your employer offers a grace period or rollover. To pay for your care, you can use your FSA debit card or pay out-of-pocket and save your receipts to submit them for reimbursement.

Make the Most of Your Coverage

Treatments Worth Scheduling Now

Care that you've been putting off may be completely or partially covered if you receive it by the end of the year. Treatments you should take advantage of include:

 

A Cleaning and Exam

Most dental plans include twice-yearly cleanings and exams and once-yearly X-rays. If you've only been to us once this year (or not at all), make sure you schedule an appointment to take advantage of the preventative care included in your plan.

 

Invisalign

Many plans contribute to orthodontic work, especially for patients under the age of 18 or 19. Our Dearborn dentists are qualified to perform this treatment and can get your child started on Invisalign® before they potentially age out of this benefit.

 

Restorative Work

If you've hit your deductible for the year and you still need to have some restorative work done, now's the perfect time to schedule with us. Any extra care you need will cost less because you won't have to meet your deductible again until next year. Your plan may contribute to fillings, crowns, periodontal therapy, and more.

 

Recommended Work

If a dentist here at Dearborn Family Dentistry discovered something during your routine exams and made a treatment recommendation, now's the perfect time to get it started. Treatment that's already been recommended is easy to schedule and can allow you to use your annual maximums or FSA funds.

No Insurance? No Problem

Uninsured Patients or Those Who Have Out-of-Pocket Costs

If you're uninsured or your plan doesn't cover everything you need, we don't want cost to be the reason you put off care. We make dental treatment more accessible for our Dearborn patients by accepting financing through CareCredit® and Happen Bank.

These third-party lenders allow qualifying patients to pay for their care in low-interest and interest-free monthly payments, depending on their credit score. Whether that means breaking a cleaning into manageable payments or financing a larger restorative procedure over time, we'll work with you to find an option that fits your budget.