I think it’s fair to say that 2020 has been an interesting year. In all my years of practicing dentistry, I have never closed my practice for eight weeks straight and I hope I never have to again.
Being closed shifted our schedule causing some of you to have treatment and cleanings delayed, but we do have an opportunity to get everyone back on track and to utilize your expiring benefits before the end of the year.
We are able to tell you the amount of benefits you have used in our office, but if you have visited a dental specialist or used your dental insurance elsewhere, we would not have access to that information.
It’s best you contact your insurance company and ask a few important questions:
- Is my dental insurance based upon a calendar year? Most plans do run on a calendar plan, so it’s important to understand that only two months may remain for you to use your current benefits.
- How many benefit dollars so I still have remaining on my plan? The amount of benefits you have each year is usually based upon what your employer has purchased on your behalf. It’s important to know if you’ve used all the benefits you deserve.
- Can I receive 2 cleanings per year at any time, or must they be spaced 6 months apart? This is really important! If your insurance plan doesn’t restrict you to only one cleaning every 6 months, you can visit us for a cleaning twice per year, even if it’s only 4 or 5 months since your last cleaning. If you have the benefit to use and you’ll lose it on December 31st, come see us!
- Have I met my deductible? If you have diagnosed treatment that you have not completed this year and you’ve already paid your 2020 deductible, waiting until next year will only have you pay that deductible again in 2021, costing you more in the long run.
- Do any of my unused benefits roll to 2021? Although I’ve seen a couple plans that do offer this benefit, the majority of my patients don’t have one. If yours does roll, please let us know and we can help build a treatment schedule that will best benefit you.
Although we will always be here to assist you, it’s important to understand that your insurance company, not our office, is the final word on benefits remaining and the provisions of your individual plan.
Please contact Debbie at (440) 354-0705 if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment. You can also contact us online.
Patrick J. Soria, DDS
