It is the most wonderful time of the year. It is the time of year for enjoying egg nog and candy canes and snuggling up by the fire. It is also time to make healthcare plans for the year ahead. Insurance is downright expensive, and the final quarter of the year is your last opportunity to make changes to your medical and dental plans. Insurance can be helpful, but if you aren’t getting the kind of services you need throughout the year, it may be time to explore other options. So if you’ve been considering making a switch, don’t delay. Here are some tips for saving money in 2023.
- Consider an in-office dental plan. Dental insurance in Oregon is expensive. Even the highest-level plan comes with limitations. This means that in addition to paying your premium, you may have out-of-pocket expenses for basic services. And let’s not forget to mention what you’ll have to pay when you need a filling. Ouch! An in-office dental plan, like our plan, provides 100% preventable coverage, including x-rays, cleanings, and exams, with Dr. Andy. You will also receive special savings for restorative care, which includes treatments like fillings, crowns, dental implants, and much more. The best thing about an in-office plan is that your insurance is not dictating what you can or cannot have done or what materials are used in your treatment. You get control of your healthcare back.
- Get an FSA account. Flexible Spending Accounts, or FSAs, are employer-provided plans for putting away money for healthcare spending, tax-free. These plans can save you considerable money by lowering your taxable income, effectively allowing you to keep more of your paycheck. The challenge with FSAs is that you have to use the money in the account, typically within the calendar year, or you lose it. If your employer offers an FSA, consider taking advantage of it. But put some thought into how much you set aside. Planning will allow you to avoid losing money at the end of the year. If there are dental procedures you’ve been putting off, set money aside in an FSA to cover them. For example, if your teen will need their wisdom teeth removed next year, putting aside money can save you hundreds of dollars.
- Spend the money in your FSA account. If you are lucky enough to have money left over in your FSA right now, be sure to spend it before the end of the year. This time of the year is always a mad rush for people trying to get into the doctor or dentist’s office to use any remaining FSA dollars. If you need a dental cleaning or to be seen by Dr. Andy, act quickly, and we may be able to get you in if we have a cancelation. If not, there are other ways to use your FSA before time runs out. For example, this is the perfect time to purchase items like a Sonicare Toothbrush or Opalescence Go Trays for teeth whitening. This system offers the benefits of professional strength whitening gel without the added expense of custom trays. What? Your teen daughter cares about her teeth suddenly and wants to whiten them? We can hook her up too. And you can even give it as a gift! Saving money and crossing things off shopping lists is a wonderful feeling! Isn’t it?
The end of the year can be a costly time. By planning ahead, you can keep more money in your pocket to do the things you enjoy – like shopping, skiing, or going on a fantastic summer vacation. Here’s to your health, your teeth, and your wallet!