Does your dental insurance plan reset at the end of the year? If it does, then now’s the time to use any remaining benefits that you might have; otherwise, they will simply be lost by the time January 1st rolls around. But how can you make sure that you’re taking full advantage of your plan? Below are some simple steps your dentist may suggest taking that can go a long way toward helping you maximize your benefits.
Review Your Plan and Make Sure You Understand It
Every dental insurance plan is different, so you should take the time to confirm that you truly understand your coverage. Read your plan carefully and take note of what kinds of services it will help pay for. Make sure that you’re aware of your annual maximum; your insurance company will only pay so much for your care during the year, and it’s important to know where the limit is.
You should have a solid grasp of your dental insurance benefits before you commit to any major procedures. If there’s anything that you’re unsure about, pick up the phone and call your insurance company so that they can clear up your confusion.
Use Your Preventive Coverage
Many dental insurance plans will mostly or fully cover the cost of preventive services such as checkups and cleanings. As such, one of the easiest ways to use your dental insurance is to schedule a visit with your dentist once every six months. As a bonus, regular preventive care can ultimately save you money by helping you avoid major dental issues that might require costly forms of treatment.
Have Important Procedures Done Before Your Benefits Reset
Maybe you need a crown to repair a broken tooth. Or perhaps you’re suffering from an infection that can only be resolved with root canal treatment. Regardless of what kind of dental care you need, it’s best to have any necessary treatments performed as soon as possible. Not only does this help prevent the situation from growing worse, but it also ensures that you can use your current dental insurance benefits while they’re still available.
You should also take your deductible into account. You have to meet your deductible before your insurance company pays for any treatments, but once you have, you don’t have to worry about it for the rest of the year. However, delaying a given treatment until your benefits reset will mean that your deductible will once again need to be taken into account.
With the tips above, you can start putting together a plan for using your dental insurance benefits so that you can get the care your smile needs while also saving as much money as possible. Remember that the team at your dentist’s office may be able to help if you have any questions about your insurance.
