Dental insurance is a monthly investment, which means it makes sense you’ll want to make the most of it while you can. Studies show that people with dental benefits are 58% more likely to visit their dentist, leading to better oral health. What’s more, the same people who reported great dental health were twice as likely to have excellent physical well-being. With that in mind, continue reading as we share a few ways you can maximize your dental insurance benefits before the year ends.
Don’t Neglect Preventive Care
Preventive dental care is critical for maintaining good overall health. Regularly visiting your dentist can aid in the early detection of oral health issues, helping you avoid needing more complex and expensive treatments down the line. The good news is most dental insurance plans will cover preventive dentistry services at little to no cost to you. These services typically include oral examinations, professional teeth cleanings, and routine X-rays. Make sure you attend all your appointments while you still can! By doing so, you can ensure your smile remains healthy and problem-free.
Understand Your Coverage
Even though most dental insurance plans only cover preventive care, you may be able to use your benefits for other types of dental work (i.e., fillings and dental crowns). Since both of those services are considered restorative or medically necessary, your insurance company may cover a percentage of the cost. It’s worth noting that the amount of coverage you’ll receive depends heavily on the type of plan you have. That said, make sure you review the details of your unique policy to understand what’s covered.
Schedule Major Procedures in Advance
Complex dental treatments and procedures often require multiple appointments to complete. To get the most of your dental insurance coverage, try scheduling your visits in advance before the year ends. If you need dental work that exceeds your annual maximum, ask your dental team if you can schedule part of it this year and the rest next year. With this strategy, you can use two annual maximums and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses significantly.
Find Out When Your Benefits Expire
Every dental insurance policy is unique, but most tend to operate on a calendar-year basis. If your dental benefits are by calendar year, they will renew on January 1, meaning you’ll have to pay your deductible again after the first of the year. Your annual maximum will also reset at the beginning of your dental plan year. Depending on the type of plan you have, you might lose part of your annual maximum allotment from the previous year if you didn’t visit your dentist.
It’s not too late to maximize your dental insurance benefits. By doing so, you can start the new year with a healthy smile, better overall health, and more money in your pocket!
About the Practice
At Danville Dental Associates, we offer comprehensive and exceptional dental services guaranteed to leave you smiling after every appointment. Our highly skilled and experienced team will always go above and beyond to help you achieve your happiest, healthiest smile. If you have any questions about your dental insurance benefits, we’re more than happy to answer them for you. Visit our website or call our office to speak to a member of our team.