New Year, New Deductible: Starting 2026 with a Healthy Smile
TLDR
- Insurance Benefits Reset: Your dental and medical insurance coverage typically resets on January 1st, meaning your annual maximums are refreshed and your deductibles start over.
- Maximize Your Benefits: Starting care early in the year allows you to utilize your full annual maximum for complex procedures like dental implants or wisdom teeth removal.
- Plan for Major Care: Use the new year to schedule high-value treatments to minimize your out-of-pocket costs over the course of the year.
- Affordable Care & Financing: We provide various ways to help you manage the cost of essential oral surgery, ensuring professional care is accessible.
Understanding Your 2026 Insurance Benefits Reset
As we step into 2026, it is important to recognize that most dental insurance and medical insurance plans operate on a calendar year. This means that on January 1st, your benefits “reset”. If you have been delaying necessary oral surgery or dental implants, this reset provides a fresh opportunity to claim control over your health and value perception of your care.
When your benefits reset, two critical things happen:
- Annual Maximums Refresh: This is the total amount your insurance will pay for your care during the year.
- Deductibles Restart: You must meet a specific out-of-pocket amount before your insurance begins to cover its percentage of your treatments.
By planning ahead and scheduling appointments in early 2026, you can maximize your benefits by utilizing the full annual maximum for more intensive procedures such as wisdom teeth extraction or corrective jaw surgery.
Planning Ahead to Minimize Cost
At Flushing Oral Surgery, we understand that our patients in Flushing, Brooklyn, and Westfield lead busy lives. Between work, family, and the fast pace of New York City, your time is a valuable asset. However, delaying care often leads to increased pain and higher long-term costs.
Starting your treatment plan early in the year is the “path of least resistance” to achieving your health goals. It allows you to:
- Spread Out Treatments: For complex cases like dental implants or full-arch restorations, you can strategically use your 2026 benefits and prepare for any follow-up care.
- Avoid the End-of-Year Rush: Many patients wait until December to use their remaining benefits, making it harder to find a convenient appointment time.
- Manage Your Budget: Knowing your deductible is met early can help you better forecast your healthcare spending for the remainder of the year.
Expert Care for Complex Needs
Whether you require wisdom teeth removal to avoid future complications or are seeking dental implants to restore your smile, our team—led by Dr. Paul Chin-Fan Li, Dr. Yijiao Fan, and Dr. Feiyi Sun—is here to provide professional, clinical expertise. Our modern offices utilize advanced technologies, including 3D imaging and “surgically clean air” purification, to ensure your safety and comfort.
We prioritize your experience by offering a multilingual practice (Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, and Korean) to ensure clear communication and transparency regarding your treatment and insurance coverage.
Plan ahead and save! Our team is ready to help you make use of your insurance benefits.
Schedule your consultation today.
FAQ
Why should I use my insurance benefits early in the year?
Using your benefits early ensures you have access to your full annual maximum before it is depleted by other unexpected healthcare needs. It also allows you to meet your deductible sooner, potentially reducing costs for any subsequent care later in the year.
Does my insurance cover dental implants or wisdom teeth removal?
Coverage varies by plan. Our professional front desk team specializes in helping you navigate your specific dental insurance and medical insurance policies to identify the best way to maximize your benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
What if I have a busy schedule?
We recognize that time and scheduling are common challenges for our patients. We offer appointments at our Flushing, Brooklyn, and Westfield offices to provide superior convenience. We recommend calling early in the year to secure a time that best fits your busy New York City lifestyle.
How can I make oral surgery more affordable?
In addition to maximizing your insurance benefits, we discuss various financing options to help make your care more accessible. Our goal is to provide a path to resolution for your dental problems without creating a financial burden.
