Are you getting the most out of your dental insurance plan? According to the National Association of Dental Plans, only about 2.8% of people manage to reach their annual maximum. If you don’t want to lose the benefits that you’ve paid for, then you need to be proactive about using your coverage before the end of your plan’s 12-month period. Below are 4 tips that can help you maximize your dental insurance benefits.
1. Schedule a Dental Checkup Every Six Months
One of the easiest ways to use your dental benefits is to visit your dentist every six months. Most plans include coverage for at least two dental checkups and cleanings each year. In fact, oftentimes they’ll waive your deductible and cover the entire cost of the visit! In addition to giving you a way to utilize your dental insurance, these regular dental appointments also help lower your risk for oral health issues that could potentially require costly treatments.
2. Call Your Dentist Right Away If You Need Restorative Care
Minor restorative treatments such as fillings usually receive around 70% to 80% coverage under most dental insurance plans. On the other hand, major restorative care such as root canal therapy may only be eligible for around 50% coverage. In short, it’s better to have any existing oral health issues taken care of while they’re still small and can be adequately addressed with a minor treatment. As such, you should call your dentist immediately if you notice signs of a dental problem.
3. Be Strategic About Scheduling Major Procedures
If you need a treatment that will take multiple visits to complete, think carefully about how you schedule the necessary appointments so that you can take full advantage of your benefits. For example, if your plan resets at the end of the year, you can have the first part of the procedure done in 2022 and save the second part for 2023. That way, you can use this year’s benefits as well as next year’s benefits to reduce your total out-of-pocket costs.
4. If You Have an FSA, Use It
FSA is short for “Flexible Spending Account”, which is something that your employer might offer to help you set money aside for various health expenses. Most of the time, you can expect your FSA to help pay for various dental treatments. By using both your FSA and your dental insurance benefits, you can potentially save a lot of money on your dental care.
Dental insurance can go a long way toward helping you fit dental checkups and other services comfortably into your budget, but you need to be proactive about using your benefits. Reach out to your dental insurance company today to confirm the details of your plan and start thinking about the best way you can use your coverage.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller has more than four decades’ worth of dental experience, and he prides himself in being able to off his Kittanning patients high-quality, comfortable, efficient care. His practice, Voller Dentistry, accepts a variety of dental plans, and his team will always take the time to verify your benefits and file the necessary claims on your behalf. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Voller, visit his website or call (724) 543-4948.