Every year, millions of Americans miss out on billions of dollars in dental insurance benefits that they already pay for. How is this possible? Dental insurance can be confusing, and some of that is by design. However, with the right know-how, you can take advantage of your insurance benefits to save money and stay healthy. Keep reading to learn how to cash in on your dental insurance while you still can.
Know Your Yearly Maximum
An important number to remember when it comes to your dental insurance is your yearly maximum. This is the most your insurance plan is willing to pay for your dental care in one year. The dollar amount varies from plan to plan, but it’s typically around $1,000. The reason billions of dollars in benefits are wasted each year is that maximums reset annually, which means that any unused dental dollars won’t roll over into 2020. The key to taking advantage of your benefits is knowing your maximum and working to reach it. With only 2.8% of Americans ever fully utilizing their benefits, it’s time to take back control of your oral healthcare and your wallet.
Book a Second Appointment
Did you know that millions of Americans only see their dentist once a year or even none at all? If you fall into this category, you’re wasting hard-earned benefits. Most insurance plans cover 100% of preventive visits like routine checkups and cleanings, which makes them an easy way to use up some of your maximum. That said, if you’ve only seen your dentist once this year, book another appointment before the end of 2020! This will not only help you utilize your benefits, but it will also give your dentist an opportunity to prevent and detect oral health problems before they become more expensive to treat.
Utilize Your Deductible
Your deductible is another number to keep in mind. This is an annual fee, usually around $50, that unlocks your coverage for the year. However, just like your yearly maximum, it will reset when 2020 is here. That’s why you should use your deductible while you can! Be sure to wrap up any restorations like dental crowns, bridges, and more during 2019 so you won’t have to pay an additional fee.
Watch out for Changing Plans
As with life plans, it’s not surprising for insurance plans to change. Whether it’s higher premiums or lower maximums, your insurance can change their terms, but this is usually done during the renewal period at the end of the year. So, it’s best to use your benefits while you know exactly what they are and before they can change in 2020.
When it comes to your insurance benefits, the time to use them is now! Remember these tips to help you utilize your maximum and minimize your out-of-pocket spending.
About the Practice
At Mt. Holly Family Dentistry, we have a team of 3 dentists who offer high-quality dental care for their Mt. Holly patients. They want all of their patients to get the dental care they deserve at an affordable price, which is why they accept various dental insurance plans. For any questions, they can be contacted through their website or by phone at (609) 267-3230.