If you have dental insurance, then you probably know that you are likely to lose out on all your unused benefit for the year after December 31. This is because your dental insurance benefits reset every new year. But what does this mean for you? If you want to make the most of your dental insurance plan, this is a great time of year to take advantage of everything that your insurance provides, especially if you have issues that need to be taken care of. Continue reading to learn more from your dentist in Medford about why and how you should maximize your dental benefits before the end of the year.
Why Is It Important to Maximize Your Benefits Now?
Most dental insurance companies have annual caps. When you reach this point, you become responsible for more of the costs out of pocket. But, if you haven’t utilized your benefits, it will eventually expire. Ultimately, you use it or lose it since you cannot carry over any benefits to the new year. If you schedule your remaining treatments before the end of the year, you can strategically keep your out of pocket costs as low as possible.
How Can You Maximize Your Benefits?
Here are a few ways that you can utilize your coverage to the max:
- Use Your Checkups and Cleanings: Most of the time, dental insurance plants include two dental cleanings and checkups every single year. If you aren’t using these, then you’re far from maximizing your benefits. Visiting the dentist for these services helps to keep your smile in the best possible shape so you can avoid needing restoration in the future. If you haven’t been to a dental checkup or cleaning in the last six months, now would be the perfect time to return to the practice.
- Get Treatment Now: Generally, a typical dental insurance plan is structured based on a 100-80-50 model. This means that they cover 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic treatments, and 50% of more extensive procedures. If you leave a minor problem untreated now, you are likely to have to pay more later for a more complex procedure. For instance, if you have a cavity and don’t get a filling now, you may have to pay more for a root canal in the future because your insurance doesn’t cover as much of the treatment.
- Avoid Your Annual Deductible: Your deductible is the amount that your insurance requires you to pay out of pocket before you can take advantage of your benefits. This fee resets at the beginning of each year, so it is financially wise to get your treatments done before you are responsible for paying it again.
Dental insurance can be confusing, but by following these tips, you can make the most out of your benefits this year and keep as much as you can in your wallet.
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Giamberardino graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Harvard College before obtaining his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University College of Dental Medicine in 1985. He is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Society. Giamberardino Dental Care is happy to process and file claims for any insurance plan and are preferred providers with Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (781) 396-3800.