How Not to Lose Unused Dental Benefits at the End of the Year
Most dental insurance, including many Principal PPO plans, follows a “use it or lose it” pattern: if you do not use your benefits by the end of the plan year, they typically expire.
Here are practical steps to avoid losing value:
1. Know Your Benefit Year and Remaining Maximum
Check whether your plan year runs on a calendar year (January to December) or a different 12‑month cycle. Then review your explanation of benefits or ask your dental office how much of your annual maximum you have already used.
If you still have several hundred dollars of unused coverage in the second half of the year, consider scheduling any recommended treatment or overdue preventive care.
2. Do Not Skip Preventive Visits
Many dental plans, including Principal PPO options, cover preventive care at a high percentage — sometimes 100 percent — because cleanings and checkups help prevent more serious problems.
If you skip these visits, you lose both the health benefit and the financial value of services that were already included in your premiums.
3. Use “Benefit‑Splitting” for Larger Treatment
If you need more extensive work, such as multiple crowns or a combination of periodontal therapy and restorative care, you and your dentist can sometimes split treatment over two benefit years:
Complete part of the work before your current annual maximum is used up.
Schedule the remaining treatment early in the next benefit year once your maximum and deductible reset.
This strategy can reduce your out‑of‑pocket costs compared with doing everything in a single year after your maximum is already exhausted.
4. Recheck Coverage After Life or Job Changes
A new job, employer plan change, or late enrollment can affect your deductible, waiting periods, and annual maximum under dental plan. If your coverage changes mid‑year, ask your dental office to re‑verify benefits so your treatment plan and timing still make financial sense.