If you received a check for $1,000 that came with an expiration date, you would likely spend it before the deadline. Yet that is exactly what happens to dental benefits every year. Letting coverage expire after paying for insurance essentially hands money back to the insurance company.
Maximizing your benefits secures the care you have already paid for while protecting your wallet. Understanding how your plan resets can help you make smarter decisions for your health and your finances before the calendar turns.
Why You Lose Money on January 1
Most dental insurance plans operate on a strict calendar year. Your “annual maximum” is the total amount your insurer pays for care, and this limit does not roll over. If you have remaining funds in your insurance benefit plan, that money disappears on December 31. It does not transfer to the new year.
Your deductible plays a major role in this timeline as well. This is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in. Since deductibles also reset on January 1, you are in a unique position right now. If you have already met your deductible for this year, your out-of-pocket costs for treatment are likely lower than they will be in January. Waiting leads to the cycle starting all over again.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) operate under similar rules. While the IRS confirmed a limited carryover amount of $660 for the 2025 plan year, any funds exceeding this cap are forfeited if unspent. Using these funds now for co-pays, fillings, or cleanings is the only way to retain their value.
Avoid the Holiday Bottleneck
Beyond the financial deadlines, there are practical reasons to act quickly. The “December Rush” is a real phenomenon in dental offices. As patients scramble to use their remaining benefits, appointment slots become scarce. Waiting until the last week of the year often results in placement on a waiting list.
Timing also affects your recovery. Major restorative work, such as crowns or implants, requires healing time. Completing these procedures early ensures you avoid managing sensitivity or temporary restorations during holiday dinners. Additionally, lab work for custom prosthetics takes time to fabricate. Booking now ensures your treatment is completed before the holidays.
For high-cost procedures, starting treatment in December offers a strategic advantage. You can “split” the costs by using this year’s remaining benefits for the first phase of treatment, such as an extraction, and next year’s renewed maximum for the final restoration. This approach reduces your immediate financial burden, but it requires securing an appointment immediately.
Start the New Year Healthy
Don’t let your hard-earned benefits go to waste. Fresh Dental is here to help you maximize your coverage before the year ends.
Call us at (813) 502-2295 to schedule your exam with Dr. Momodu Ali. We are currently offering a $59 New Patient Special to help you get started. Contact our office now to lock in your year-end appointment before the schedule is full.