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If you have dental insurance, there’s a decent chance that you have unused benefits that you’ve already paid for that can be put towards your long-term oral health. If you’re the type of person to only visit the dentist when you have an urgent oral issue, you’re likely leaving money on the table. As the end of the year gets closer, consider these 5 tips to maximize dental insurance benefits now before they expire!
Always Complete Your Preventive Care
Most dental plans offer exceptional coverage for basic preventive services that protect your smile and lower your risk for dental emergencies later, including checkups and cleanings. These services tend to get the best coverage as a result. In many cases, these services are covered 100% by a dental insurance plan. When you want little to no out-of-pocket costs when it comes to your dentistry, making sure that all of your preventive benefits are exhausted is incredibly important.
Get Restorative Care Done Sooner, Not Later
Treatments like dental fillings, crowns, and root canal therapy do not receive the same level of coverage as preventive services like exams and cleanings. In fact, restorative care is covered between 70% and 80% in many cases, meaning you pay more out-of-pocket overall compared to preventive care. If you have a tooth that requires minor restorative work now, waiting to get it done only increases the risk of more damage developing later and more expensive dentistry needed to fix it. For example, if a tooth that only needed a filling before now requires a dental crown and root canal therapy, coverage from dental insurance drops as low as 50%.
Schedule a Visit Before the Year Ends
Most dental insurance plans function on a calendar-year basis, meaning they often reset at the beginning of the next year (which means you really need to use them by December 31st). These plans also come with an annual maximum, or the highest dollar mount that an insurer is willing to cover dental treatments after you meet your deductible. If you don’t reach your annual maximum before the end of the year, then any benefits you paid for will expire. The closer it gets to the end of the year, the more difficult scheduling an appointment becomes, so it’s best to schedule now while there’s still time.
Set Up Major Procedures Over Multiple Years
If you need a major procedure completed, it’s normal to have it done over multiple years in order to make the most of your annual maximum. This allows you to utilize at least two annual maximums rather than one in a given year, so make sure to ask the dental office you visit if they can accommodate you.
Dental insurance is meant to be used regularly, not just when you have an urgent dental issue. Get in touch with a dentist today to start making the most of your benefits before the end of the year!
About the Author
Dr. Ponnaganti’s office is happy to help you navigate your dental insurance benefits and ensure you get the most out of your plan. She accepts a wide variety of plans from many of the largest insurers in the country, so don’t wait another day to schedule an appointment and start protecting your smile and oral health. To set up a visit, you can contact her through her website.