How can you make sure that your smile gets the care it needs at a price that you can afford? Oftentimes, the key is to take full advantage of your dental insurance benefits before they reset. If you’re trying to figure out the best way to use your dental insurance plan, your dentist is here to help! Here are 3 strategies for maximizing your benefits.
1. See Your Dentist Twice a Year for Dental Checkups and Cleanings
If you check your dental plan, you’re likely to find that it mostly or fully covers the cost of two dental checkups and cleanings a year. You definitely want to make sure that you’re seeing the dentist on a regular basis so that they can check for signs of cavities and gum disease; it’s much easier to deal with dental issues while they’re still small than it is to treat them once they’ve reached their more advanced stages.
On top of that, keeping up with your preventive care could ultimately end up saving you money. You will be less likely to need to pay for more advanced dental treatments if you have the small problems taken care of as early as possible. In short, using the coverage that your dental insurance plan provides for preventive care can be a wise investment – both in terms of your financial situation and your oral health.
2. If You Need Restorative Treatments, Don’t Put Them Off
When it comes to restorative dental care, many insurance plans will pay around 80% for basic treatments but only roughly 50% for major ones. This is an important point to keep in mind because dental issues tend to grow worse the longer that you ignore them. As such, a problem that could have been resolved with basic restorative care may eventually require major treatment if you wait too long.
As soon as you recognize the signs of a potential oral health problem, you should give your dentist a call. If you act quickly enough, you could end up reducing your out-of-pocket costs for treatment.
3. Take Your Deductible into Account
The deductible is the amount you need to pay yourself before your insurance coverage kicks in. It’s important to keep in mind that once your plan resets, you will need to meet your deductible again. Therefore, if you have already taken care of your deductible for the year and need to have dental work done, it’s best to schedule the procedure as soon as possible in order to save money on your care.
The more you know about your dental insurance plan, the easier it will be to maximize your benefits. Remember that you can always speak to the helpful team members at your dental practice if you need help understanding the specifics of your coverage.
About the Author
Dr. Walter Mick went to The Ohio State University School of Dentistry; he eventually graduated in 1987 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery. He has spent more than three decades improving the lives of his patients with comprehensive dental care. His Reynoldsburg practice, Mick Family Dental Care, is in-network with Delta Dental and accepts many other dental insurance plans. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mick, visit his website or call (614) 864-4618.