You have dental insurance benefits through the company you work for, but you don’t really use them. After all, you brush and floss at home, and you figure that you can always see your dentist in Westchase District if a problem pops up. If this is your approach to using your dental insurance benefits, you’re potentially setting yourself up for physical and financial pain down the road. With just a few months left in 2019, now is the perfect time to get back on track and use your benefits before they reset. Read on to learn some of the dos and don’ts of dental insurance and how you can get the most out of it before the end of the year.
Do Understand Your Dental Insurance Plan
Although medical insurance can cover some preventive exams, by and large, it is primarily geared to cover the treatment of problems. On the other hand, dental insurance is designed to encourage preventive care and early intervention. As a result, many plans completely cover two checkup and cleaning visits per year at no out-of-pocket cost to you. If you require minor restorative care, you can expect your plan to cover about 70 to 80 percent of the cost and only around 50 percent of the cost for major restorative care. Understanding how dental insurance works can help you know how to use your dental insurance to your greatest advantage and save money in the long run.
Do Use Your Available Yearly Coverage
Did you know that your insurance has a yearly maximum amount that they will contribute toward your dental work? In general, this yearly maximum is about $1,000 to $1,500. If you haven’t seen your dentist twice so far this year, you could still have significant coverage available for your disposal. It would be a pity to leave money on the table and not take advantage of services that are at least partially covered by your insurance.
Don’t Postpone Getting Essential Treatment
If you know that you have a cavity or some other oral problem, the worst thing you can do is wait to resolve it. Unlike some medical conditions that eventually go away, dental issues only get worse with time. The longer you wait, the more extensive the damage and the more expensive the bill will be to fix it. Take advantage of your insurance’s benefits with your dentist in Houston as early as you can.
Don’t Wait and Face Different Coverage
When the new year begins, your dental insurance will reset. During this time, your dental insurance company can also change their policies, coverage, or premiums slightly. Waiting to perform certain procedures until after 2020 begins can result with a higher expense for you. It may be better for you and your wallet if you take care of your dental work before the end of the year.
In the end, if you use your dental insurance to its potential, particularly with preventive care, you will end up saving money. Plus, you can avoid painful and costly dental emergencies in the future. You’ve already paid your dental insurance premiums, so you might as well get your money’s worth out of your benefits. Schedule your dental appointment today!
About Dr. Stapleton
At MDRN Dental, families in the West Chase area of Houston can turn to Dr. Chad Stapleton, who has achieved Fellowship status with the Academy of General Dentistry. He also belongs to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, and the Texas Dental Association—just to name a few. He and his team accept most PPO insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, and more. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stapleton, you can call or click here.
