How the math works
A typical plan covers preventive care at 100 percent, basic work at 80 percent, and major work at 50 percent, up to an annual maximum of $1,000 to $2,000. If you have used only $300 by November, the rest evaporates at year end.
Smart ways to use remaining benefits
Book your second cleaning of the year, complete fillings you have been postponing, and if major work is planned, ask about splitting treatment across December and January to use two years of maximums on one case.
The FSA angle
Flexible spending account funds are also use-it-or-lose-it and apply to dental treatment. If you have an FSA balance, year-end dental work is one of the cleanest ways to spend it.
A note on timing
November and December are the busiest months in every dental office for exactly this reason. Scheduling in early fall gets you the appointment times you want.
Key takeaways
- •Annual maximums expire December 31.
- •Split large cases across plan years when possible.
- •Book early, year-end slots fill fast.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Your situation deserves an exam.