Maximizing Your Dental Insurance Benefits Before They Expire

October 18, 2019

Filed under: Uncategorized — nametheteam @ 7:19 pm

Did you know that your dental insurance plan will restart on January 1st? Any unused benefits will be lost, which means you may have to pay more than you would need to out of your own pocket if you wait to get the treatments you need. Knowing the ins-and-outs of your plan and having a trusted Delta Dental dentist in Worthington by your side can help you maximize your benefits while keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Read on for tips about how you can get the most from your insurance plan.

Meet or Exceed Your Yearly Maximum

Every year, your dental insurance sets a capped amount they’ll pay for your treatments, called the maximum. The average amount is around $1,250 annually, which means that any amount over this, you’ll need to pay out of your own pocket, and any unused amount will be lost on January 1st when your plan renews.

According to a study conducted by the American Dental Association, the average American that has private dental insurance only receives $323 worth of dental treatments every year. Since the typical maximum is $1,250, that means that $927 in benefits go left unused, and ultimately lost by the time January 1st rolls around.

Get Treated Before Insurance Fees Increase

Just like when you renew an apartment lease, every year your plan restarts, your fees can raise. That’s why it’s a good idea to get the treatment you need while you know how much it will cost you. If you wait, the likelihood that your deductible and copayment will be higher is a huge possibility.

Take Care of Problems While They’re Less Severe

As much as everyone would like to believe that dental problems fix themselves if they’re just left alone, this isn’t true. In fact, they often get much worse, resulting in the need for more severe and costly treatments like root canal therapy or tooth extractions.

Dental insurance companies encourage patients to get timely treatment by covering more of the cost of basic and preventive procedures, such as fillings. Most plans operate using a 100-80-50 structure. This means that they cover 100 percent of the cost of preventive dental care, 80 percent of basic treatments, and 50 percent of major procedures. That means that the sooner you get help, the more money you’ll save on out-of-pocket costs.

Take Advantage of Covered Preventive Dental Care

Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care, including two checkups and cleanings from your Cigna dentist in Worthington. During these visits, your dentist will make sure that there are no developing issues, clean your teeth and gums, and conduct an examination of your oral tissues and mouth in search of signs of diseases like oral cancer. Not only is this typically completely free for patients, but it can allow you to have peace of mind knowing that you have a clean bill of health.

With the right Anthem dentist in Worthington by your side, you’ll be able to confidently navigate your dental insurance plan and get  the most out of your investment. They’ll also ensure that your oral health remains in tip-top shape and do their best to keep the small problems from turning into something more severe down the road.

About the Author

Dr. Randall Nameth pursues over 40 hours of continuing education courses every year to perfect his skills in a wide variety of dental topics. He enjoys giving his patients newfound confidence by restoring their oral health and repairing their smiles with a variety of high-quality dental treatments. For questions or to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning and learn how you can maximize your insurance benefits, visit her website or call 580-224-9600.

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