Your dental insurance plans involve a specific dollar amount provided every year for dental coverage. When these benefits are not fully utilized during the year, you risk losing them. This is because the unused health benefits don’t roll over to the following year.
Although an insurance policy always regulates the type of treatment, with proper planning with your dentist, you can maximize your dental benefits individually or family-wise.
Dr. Martin, your University Charlotte area dentist, will guide you through the best way to go about it and the things you should know.
What Are Dental Insurance Benefits?
Dental insurance benefits are oral health plans that let people budget effectively for the cost of maintaining healthy dentition. Most dental benefits are direct and specific about which oral services are covered and the out-of-pocket cost needed to be paid.
It is important to note that dental benefits do not cover every procedure. While it may fully cover some and other procedures partially, certain treatments may not be covered. Although oral health benefits are beneficial, they don’t wear all hats regarding dental treatment.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
Dental insurance coverage usually covers the cost of preventive care, root canals, fillings, crowns, and oral surgery. Some coverages may include orthodontic treatments and restorative procedures, such as dentures and bridges.
Whether it’s an individual policy or for the family, your coverage usually allows for two preventive visits annually. Moreover, most oral health plans use the 100-80-50 structure. This implies that they cover the cost of preventive care, such as annual cleanings at 100%, basic treatments at 80%, and major treatments at 50%. Sometimes, an insurance company may choose not to cover some procedures, such as crowns or teeth whitening.
Why You Should Use Your Dental Benefits?
There are many reasons to consider using your dental benefits in the University Charlotte area before they expire. Knowing that whatever benefits you have in a year will not renew once the year runs out. Here are a few reasons to use your dental benefits before they expire on December 31, 2022.
They Are Being Paid For
If your dental insurance is paid through your employer, it automatically gets deducted from your earnings. Leaving these benefits idle by not visiting your dentist is synonymous with wasting your money. If you think there are no reasons to visit your dentist for services like cosmetic dentistry, you should still endeavor to see your dentist at least twice a year for preventative care. Communicate with your dentist to discover what treatments your insurance plan covers.
Yearly Maximums Do Not Roll Over
Most insurance plans usually give a yearly maximum, the specific amount your insurance will pay for your dental expenses in a particular year. Therefore, if you do not visit the dentist to utilize this money before your policy renews, it won’t roll over into the new year. It would be best if you always endeavored to use all benefits provided in your insurance plan with your dentist in the University Charlotte area.
Waiting Can Lead to Increased Complications
Most oral issues begin without giving a warning sign or symptoms, and before you know it, they’ve become a more serious issue. This is one of the reasons why scheduling regular dental visits with your dentist is crucial. Your dentist can quickly pinpoint potential dental problems and fix them before they become full-blown and expensive.
You are, therefore, at higher risk if you don’t use your dental benefits to visit your dentist. It allows dental issues to grow, become complicated, and potentially more expensive. Dental insurance doesn’t cover all treatments, so it’s essential to use these benefits to prevent problems.
Simple Ways to Use Your Dental Insurance Benefits
The highlight of dental insurance benefits is to take advantage of them before they expire. You can use your benefits in the following ways:
- Schedule Preventive Care Visits With Your Dentist: Since most plans cover 100% for preventative treatment, you must take advantage of them before they expire.
- Start Thinking About Using Your Coverage Early: When you’re at an appointment with your dentist, ask about your dental needs and what procedures you might need before your insurance plan ends. Make these appointments early to plan how to use your coverage for those treatments.
- Work With Your Dentist: Your dentist often works with your insurance provider to determine what treatments are covered in your plans. You can work with your dentist to look into this information and get the best treatments.
Don’t Wait Till Those Benefits Expire; Schedule an Appointment With Winning Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Our dental practice in the University Charlotte area, works with major dental health insurance carriers to provide the best dental services. Don’t wait till these benefits expire. Schedule an appointment with us to make maximum use of your dental benefits.