Dental and Eye Benefits: Use Them Before They Reset
Most plans do not roll unused benefits over. Find your reset date this week.
This article is general wellness information, not medical advice, and is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified professional before making individual health decisions. Read our full disclosure policy.
You pay for dental and vision cover every month. If you do not use the benefit by the reset date, it usually disappears. Five minutes now can mean a cleaning and an eye exam you already paid for.
Key takeaways
- Benefits for the year usually do not carry over.
- Most plans reset on January 1, but some reset on your enrollment date.
- Book routine care now. Appointments fill up in November and December.
How the reset works
Dental plans typically cap what they pay in a year, often called the annual maximum. When the plan year ends, that cap resets and unused dollars do not roll over. Many plans reset on January 1. Others reset on the anniversary of your enrollment, so do not assume.
Vision plans often work the same way: an exam, and an allowance for glasses or contacts, that renew each plan year.
Four steps this week
- Find your reset date. Check your plan documents, your insurer's website, or call the number on your card. Ask what the reset date is and how much of the maximum you have used.
- List what you are due for. A cleaning and exam, an eye exam, and any treatment your dentist has already recommended.
- Book now, not in December. Offices fill up near year end, so the slot you want may be gone.
- Ask about splitting big work. For a larger treatment, your dentist may be able to spread it across two plan years so each year's benefit is used. Only your dentist can say if that is safe for your case.
Check before you go
- Is the office in your plan's network?
- What does your plan cover for the visit, and what do you owe?
- Do you need a referral or pre approval for anything larger?
Your quick checklist
- [ ] Find the plan reset date for dental and vision.
- [ ] Check how much of the annual maximum you have used.
- [ ] Book your cleaning and your eye exam.
- [ ] Ask your dentist about any planned treatment.
- [ ] Add next year's reset date to Nusafa.
Next step
Call or log in today and ask one question: when does my benefit reset? Put that date in Nusafa. Related: open enrollment checklist for choosing next year's plan.
This is general information, not medical advice. Check with your doctor or dentist before major changes. Plan rules vary, so confirm with your insurer.
