FAQ - Should We Send A 'Use it or Lose it' Insurance Letter?
FAQ - Historically, we’ve sent out a ‘Use it or Lose it’ letter to patients as a reminder to use their insurance before the end of the year. But if we’re trying to minimize the effects of insurance in our dental office, should we continue?
As the end of the year approaches, it’s easy for dental teams to fall into the trap of “insurance season” — pushing patients to schedule just so they don’t “lose their benefits.”
But if your goal is to build a practice rooted in ownership and value-based communication, this is the time to be especially intentional. We can absolutely help patients make smart financial decisions without letting insurance become the driver of their care.
Here’s how to strike that balance:
💡 1. Keep Insurance in Its Place
Insurance should be presented as a supplement, not a strategy. When you call patients or send reminders, frame it around their investment — not the insurance company’s deadline.
Instead of saying: “You’re about to lose your insurance benefits for the year!”
Try: “You may have resources already set aside for your dental health — let’s make sure they work for you before the year wraps up.”
💰 2. Understand the Basics
You don’t need to be an accountant, but you should understand how FSAs and HSAs work:
- FSA (Flexible Spending Account): Money comes from the employee’s paycheck and is managed by the employer. If it’s not used by year-end, most of it goes back to the employer.
- HSA (Health Savings Account): It’s the patient’s personal account that rolls over annually and stays with them, even if they change jobs.
- When teams understand this, they can confidently say: “These dollars are already yours — if you’ve been planning treatment, this might be a good time to use them.” No scare tactics. Just smart, value-centered communication.
🪞 3. Reflect Your Practice Philosophy in Every Message
If your brand is built on connection, ownership, and helping patients make informed decisions, your end-of-year communication should sound like you — not a pop-up ad.
Avoid the panic-style copy (“Use it or lose it!”) and instead focus on value:“If you’ve set aside funds for your dental health this year, we’d love to help you use them in a way that truly benefits your long-term goals.” This tone not only respects the patient — it strengthens trust.
🤝 4. Focus on the Bigger Picture
The goal isn’t to fill the schedule. It’s to help patients invest in themselves — while also teaching your team how to communicate with calm confidence instead of pressure.
When patients see you as a guide (not a salesperson), they’re more likely to say yes to care now and in the future — with or without insurance involvement.
✨ Final Thought 📬 . Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Here’s a simple marketing truth: people rarely act the first time they see something.
It often takes five to seven touchpoints before a message sticks — especially in today’s world of crowded inboxes and scrolling thumbs.
So don’t hesitate to share your message more than once.
- Send it by email several times a few days apart.
- Post it on social media multiple times, using a mix of media and captions.
- Consider sending a snail mail postcard to select patients who may have significant pending treatment and unused benefits.
EMAIL/SNAIL MAIL TEMPLATE
Dear Patient,
The end of year is coming and there's a good chance you are about to lose a good chunk of money form YOUR pocket. Picture this: somewhere out there, there’s a giant vault filled with unclaimed benefit dollars — money that was meant for your smile but somehow found its way back to the insurance company’s or employer’s piggy bank.
Here’s the thing — those dollars are yours. You earned them, you’ve been paying for them, and they were set aside to help you maintain your healthiest, happiest smile. But if you don’t use your dental plan benefits or Health Savings Account funds by the end of the year… poof! They vanish faster than your leftover Halloween candy!
So before your money goes on holiday without you, call us. We’ll help you use what’s yours — whether that’s wrapping up unfinished treatment, freshening up your smile for holiday photos, or simply keeping your next checkup on track.
We’ll even handle the insurance paperwork (because no one needs more stress this time of year). Let’s keep your dollars where they belong — invested in you, not collecting dust in someone else’s vault.After all, it IS your money.
Our schedule is getting tight - call Amy now at 888-888-8888 so that you don't miss out!!!
Warmly,
Dr. Brady
SOCIAL MEDIA POST TEMPLATES
🦷 Option 1: “Use It Before You Lose It (Seriously 😅)”
🚨 PSA for your smile:
If you’ve got dental benefits or an FSA, you might be sitting on 💰 that disappears faster than Christmas cookies.
You’ve already paid for it — don’t let the insurance company keep the leftovers!
Book your visit before Dec. 31 and put those dollars to work for you.
✨ Healthy smile. ✅ Smart move. 🏦 Money well spent.
#UseItOrLoseIt #SmartSmiles #DentalLife
😁 Option 2: “Don’t Let Your Benefits Ghost You”
Ghosting season isn’t just for dating apps 👻
Every January, unused dental benefits vanish into thin air — and spoiler alert: they don’t come back.
Your benefits were made for your health, not the insurance company’s bonus pool.
So before they ghost you, call or text us to grab an appointment.
🗓️ Limited spots left — your smile (and your wallet) will thank you!
#ByeByeBenefits #HealthySmilesAhead #DentalCareMadeEasy
💸 Option 3: “The Best Return on Your Investment”
Good news in 2025? You’ve already got money waiting for you — in your dental plan or Health Savings Account!
Think of it as a no-risk, high-return investment… that expires soon. ⏳
If you’ve been putting off that crown or cleaning — now’s your moment.
Let’s keep your money working for you, not sitting in an insurance vault.
📞 Call or text to save your spot before the year’s out!
#UseItOrLoseIt #SmartMoneyMoves #ConfidentSmiles