Don’t Lose a Penny from Your Dental Insurance
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Shh… We’ll Tell You A Secret That Most Dental Insurances Won’t
You might be missing out on Dental Benefits you’ve been paying for all year.
Dental insurances won’t alert you by saying, “You’re missing out on benefits you’re already paying for. Make sure to use them, so we can pay for them!”...So, we will!
Every dental insurance provider lists specific benefits that must be used within the year. Once it’s January 1, all of your benefits reset. You lose any you didn’t take advantage of the previous year. With the final month of the year being particularly the busiest of all, we can’t forget to add this to the top of our to-do list before moving on to holiday activities. Scheduling an appointment with your dentist to use the dental benefits will save you more money for the holidays!
Why Worry About Using Your Dental Benefits?
1. Save Money!!
Your dental insurance allocates a specific amount of dollars yearly to assist with any procedures you may need to get done. By taking care of the outstanding dental work by December 31, you have a better chance of not having to go out of pocket next year if another issue would occur. (Crossing our fingers that won’t happen to you!)
By stalling on dental work, you could also not be meeting your yearly deductibles. This will also reset in the new year. Your deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket at a visit before the insurance company pays for any dental treatments. The average deductible is about $50, however, it varies for each plan. If you have met your deductible, any dental work required by the end of the year will not require a new deductible payment.
2. Dental Problems Worsen and It’ll Cost More Later On
You know you have a root canal, chipped tooth, or need a dental crown, but the thought of taking the time to get this done right doesn’t seem feasible. Many of you probably feel this way, but you’re risking your dental health if you don’t act sooner than later. When your condition worsens or new issues occur, the cost it’ll take to fix it will worsen along with the pain you may feel. These issues won’t simply disappear. Find out how much your insurance provider will pay yearly and plan accordingly.
3. Maximum Dental Cost Insurance Will Cover
Let’s say, your dental insurance provider allocates a $1000 yearly maximum benefit. This is the amount they will cover towards dental treatment. If you only use $200 of this maximum, you will not receive $1800 the following year. It will reset to $1000. If you’re in need of dental work, find out what your maximum benefit is and proceed with getting what you need completed!
4. Fee Could Increase Next Year
There are always changes in the healthcare system and coverage. All of your benefits and pricing now may fluctuate next year. The pricing for services can inevitably change, too, due to cost of living, materials, and equipment. Take advantage of today’s prices.
Commonly Supported Dental Treatments
There are a few common services most dental plans will cover. As with deductibles and maximum benefits, each plan is different and it’s important to know which are covered and which are exclusions. Here are the services dental plans typically cover:
- Oral Examinations
- X-rays
- Tooth Cleanings
- Application of Fluoride
- Sealants (Usually Limited to Children)
- Fillings either Amalgam/Silver or Composite/White
- Crowns
- Root Canals
- Treatments For Gum Disease
- Extractions
- Emergency Relief of Pain
- Anesthesia
- Consultations
There are always changes in the healthcare system and coverage. All of your benefits and pricing now may fluctuate next year. The pricing for services can inevitably change, too, due to cost of living, materials, and equipment. Take advantage of today’s prices.
Who’s Your Dental Provider?
Start investigating and asking your insurance providers the right questions. Find their websites, login or give them a call. Here are a few to get some of you started:
What Are Your Dental Benefits?
We would like to remind you that every dental plan is different. We advise you all to reach out to your provider and ask the right question based on the information we provided above. (“What is my yearly deductible? What is the maximum amount you’ll provide for dental treatment? Which services will you cover?”)