If you have dental insurance, chances are you haven’t reached your current annual maximum. According to the ADA, the average American with dental insurance only uses $323 worth of benefits every year, despite having an annual maximum as high as $1,250. That means hundreds of dollars’ worth of benefits goes to waste.
However, there are ways to maximize it before that happens. According to a dentist who accepts many dental plans, using insurance comes down to knowing what treatments you have left to use and setting the time aside to do so.
Use It or Lose It Says Dentists
The majority of dental plans do not allow their benefits to carry into the next year, in this case into 2019. That means anything not used prior to December 31st will reset, meaning any money spent your insurance plan will be lost. Instead of allowing insurance companies to be the only entity that benefits, consider the ways you can make the most out of your dental insurance.
As we’ll describe momentarily, the most effective treatments at preventing serious dental issues are preventive, which are largely covered under dental insurance. Companies often cover preventive treatments between 80 and 100 percent because they want customers to make a conscious effort to maintain their oral health.
Determining Your Needs
The first step to maximizing your dental insurance should be to find out exactly what treatments you’ve used and which ones you still need to take advantage of. For example, take note of the number of dental cleanings and exams you’ve already had this year and factor that into what treatment you’ll use in the future. Determine if your child could benefit from dental sealants or fluoride treatments, which offer additional protection to their developing teeth. Confirm if there are previous treatment plans that were never finished and see if you can get them taken care of with your remaining benefits.
Once you’ve determined your needs, speak with your insurance company directly, your employer, or the practice’s treatment coordinator. They can help you plan your treatments and make sure you’re using your insurance to its fullest.
Prevention is Key to Long-Term Oral Health
Preventive treatments include cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments and exams to name a few. Depending on the plan, you an also save a good amount of money on restorative treatments like crowns and fillings, of course the coverage will vary from plan to plan.
What’s important to note here is that prevention is the best defense against costly and invasive dental treatments later. You don’t want to wait until a dental issue appears to seek treatment as this will more than likely lead to a higher dental bill that insurance is less likely to cover the cost of.
Don’t hesitate when it comes to learning more about your insurance coverage. Schedule an appointment with a dentist today to get the treatments you need!
About the Author
Dr. Mariya Barnett earned her dental degree from the University of Michigan. Her practice accepts many insurance plans and is more than happy to help patients understand the in’s and out’s of their benefits. To learn more about her practice, you can contact her through her website.