Use it or Lose it: Don’t Let Your 2025 Dental Benefits Go to Waste
As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to review an often overlooked aspect of your healthcare coverage: your dental insurance and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits. Many patients are surprised to learn just how much unused money is lost every year simply because benefits weren’t used in time.
Here’s the good news: there’s still time to take advantage of the coverage you’ve already paid for. And Dr. Birnbaum is here to help you make the most of it.
Most dental insurance plans operate on a calendar year. This means:
Your annual maximum — the total amount your insurance will contribute toward dental treatment each year — resets on January 1st.
Any unused benefits do not carry over into the new year.
The same applies to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare expenses. But at the end of the year, any unused funds typically expire (unless your plan has a small rollover allowance). Therefore, if you don’t use your benefits by December 31st, you may lose them - permanently.
What can dental insurance or FSA dollars be used for?
You may be able to use your remaining benefits for:
Dental treatment, including:
Cleanings and exams
Fillings or crowns
Periodontal therapy (deep cleanings)
Night guards (often covered if there’s documented grinding/clenching)
Invisalign or orthodontics (depending on your plan)
Emergency treatment
And if your plan includes benefits for preventive care, many services are covered at little to no cost.
FSA-Eligible Products Available at Our Office
FSAs aren’t just for medical bills — they can often be used on dental care products too. If you have remaining FSA funds, consider stocking up on:
Electric toothbrushes
Water flossers / rechargeable flossers
Fluoride or prescription-strength toothpaste
Whitening products (if medically recommended)
Buying these through Dr. Birnbaum ensures you get professional-grade tools — not just what’s available in retail stores — and documentation for easy FSA reimbursement.
Preventive care now saves money later.
Small issues don’t stay small forever. A tiny cavity that is simple to fill today may turn into a crown or root canal down the road.
Using your benefits now:
Saves you money
Helps prevent dental emergencies
Keeps your oral health on track going into the new year
Our schedule fills up quickly at year-end as patients rush to use their benefits. If you’ve delayed treatment or need to complete a recommended procedure, now is the time to call our office.
Don’t let your hard-earned dollars disappear.
Use them for the care you need, deserve, and have already paid for. Make an appointment with Dr. Birnbaum now!
Contact Dr. Birnbaum today at (617) 965-1400 or book your appointment for your professional dental checkup or cleaning today.