Deciphering the benefits of your dental insurance can feel like navigating a whole other world. With all the confusing terminology and technicalities, it can be difficult to use your benefits, let alone maximize them every year! So, what can you do? Continue reading to learn more about dental insurance and find five ways you can maximize your coverage with ease.
Understand Your Dental Insurance Plan
The first step to maximizing your dental insurance benefits is understanding the details of your plan. Take the time to read through your policy on paper and take notes or visit your insurance provider’s website. If you’re not sure where to start, familiarize yourself with:
- Coverage Details: Know what is covered and what isn’t, including preventive care, major procedures, and orthodontics.
- Network Providers: In-network dentists already have pre-negotiated rates with your insurance company to minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
- Deductibles and Co-pays: Understand how much you’ll need to pay before insurance kicks in and what your co-pays will be for different services.
Schedule Regular Checkups
Many dental insurance plans fully cover a certain number of checkups and cleanings per year. These visits are critical to catching dental issues before they turn into costly problems or painful emergencies, avoiding unnecessary expenses later. Be sure to schedule exams and cleanings at least once every six months to take full advantage of your benefits!
Take Advantage of Preventive Services
Don’t forget about preventive services like fluoride treatments, nightguards, and X-rays! Some dental insurance providers will cover these procedures at little to no cost to you. This is because they understand that they can save money by providing smaller preventive measures instead of bigger, more involved treatments.
Plan for Major Procedures
If you need major dental work, such as crowns, bridges, or orthodontics, schedule a consultation with your dentist and plan ahead. By having an open discussion with your dental team, you can see what treatments are covered and find ways to reduce your costs.
You can even have some paperwork taken care of for you! If you have a plan in place, some of your dental work can be scheduled over multiple years to maximize your annual benefits.
Maximizing your dental insurance benefits requires you to be proactive. But if you’re willing to do a little research and communicate, you’ll have no problem using up every dime of your overage! By using these strategies, you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also achieve better oral health and quality of life!
About the Author
Dr. David C. Parsons is a talented and experienced dentist who loves helping his patients achieve healthier smiles without breaking the bank. He graduated from the Baylor School of Dentistry, one of the top dental programs in the country. Since then, he has continued to expand his knowledge through advanced training and continuing education to better serve his patients. Call (620) 221-0730 to schedule a dental implant consultation at David C. Parsons, DDS, or visit our website to explore other services.