Use It or Lose It: Get Dental Care with the Rest of Your 2021 Benefits

use it or lose it dental care healdsburg dental spa

As 2021 rushes to a close, there are many numbers for you to keep track of, including your flexible spending account (FSA). This little pot of gold, should you have anything left in it, can be your ticket to a new smile for the holidays and new smile as you entire into a new year. Find out what kind of dental care you can undergo with your use-it-or-lose-it benefits.

Use-It-or-Lose-It Benefits

An FSA is an account established through your employer that you may have elected to populate with pre-tax income. If you don’t use up this account by the end of the year, you will lose the funds you put into it. The goal at the end of every year for any FSA-holder is to have no remaining benefits.

The last thing you want to do is ring in the new year knowing you left money on the table. Talk to your Healdsburg dentist about what you can do for your oral health and get things underway. You’ll know your contributions were all worth it and used up completely.

Treatments to Get with Your FSA

While FSA accounts can be used toward a variety of healthcare costs, many people reserve it for their teeth, particularly cosmetic dentistry. Why? While most dental plans cover two exams and teeth cleanings every year, cosmetic dentistry does not typically fall under that umbrella and must be paid for out of pocket.

Here are some of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments people get with their FSA benefits:

  • Teeth whitening: Have just a little leftover in your FSA? Use it for a one-time, affordable, powerful cosmetic dentistry treatment like professional teeth whitening. This treatment will alter your smile tremendously for years with proper care and take you into the new year feeling bright and happy.
  • Invisalign®: If you’ve long wanted to straighten your smile, make it happen now by initiating Invisalign® treatment. Even though this is typically a year-long adventure, you can begin it now and use your remaining FSA toward a bulk payment.
  • Night guard: Have you been dragging your feet about getting a night guard to combat the bruxism that leaves you with painful headaches and jaw pain? Apply your FSA toward a customized night guard and improve your state of being immediately.

Figure Out What Your Dental Care Benefits Are

All employers and insurance programs differ, so be sure to check with your employer about unused benefits and whether they will roll over in the new year. Chances are they won’t. Chances are, you have a green light to pursue the cosmetic dentistry or other dental care you’ve long wanted.

Start thinking about using your coverage now and make an appointment with your dentist right away, while there is still time left to use up your benefits. Maybe you and your dentist have already discussed dental care you need or changes you’ve been hoping to make. Once you’ve agreed on what your dental needs are, work with your dental office to figure out what is covered by your FSA.

Then, get your dental work started sooner rather than later so everything can be taken care of before the year rolls over. Contact Healdsburg Dental Spa and make an appointment Dr. Tam today.