Effective and Ending Dates

When you receive a dental insurance plan, it will have an effective date and an ending date. The effective date is when the coverage starts, and the end date is when it ends. Most often, the effective and ending dates are a year's time difference. So, if the effective date were July 1, 2006, then the ending date would be June 30, 2007.

Your effective date is usually some time after you apply and are approved for coverage. Your dental insurance is not going to start the second you are approved. Watch your effective date carefully, and make sure you know when you are able to receive benefits. Do not schedule any dentist visits before this time.

Read your policy carefully and make sure that the ending date is what you paid for. If you paid for a yearlong policy, make sure you are getting a yearlong policy. A little while before the ending date you should receive notice to renew your policy. At that time, you can decide whether or not you desire to renew your dental insurance plan.

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