According to the American Dental Association (ADA), 59% of adults have private dental insurance; however, 35% of Americans haven’t been to a dentist in at least 1 year. Many people believe they can’t afford to see their dentist in Frisco, despite having dental insurance, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Your monthly premiums for your policy are an investment in your dental health. Unfortunately, time is running out to use your coverage because it expires at the end of the year. Here are 4 ways to maximize your insurance benefits before you lose them.
1. Use Your Benefits for Preventive Dentistry
By paying your monthly premiums, you can visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. You can keep your teeth and gums healthy for only a co-payment to avoid costly dental treatments down the road. Research shows every $1 spent on prevention can save up to $50 on restorative and emergency services. A quick trip to your dentist is a great way to cut expenses during the year ahead.
2. Don’t Wait to Treat Dental Issues
13% of Americans admit to delaying dental procedures because they are concerned about the cost. You don’t need to put dental treatments on hold because money is tight. After reaching your annual deductible, your benefits can cover up to 80% of the cost to offset the amount you pay out-of-pocket. You can use your annual allowance for many common treatments, like fillings, crowns, root canals, or tooth extractions.
3. Choose the Right Dentist
Your dental insurance recommends using a dentist in their network because they have pre-negotiated rates. You will enjoy more coverage at the time of service for specific treatments; however, you can still choose an out-of-network dentist. You’ll have more freedom to find the exact treatments you want from a preferred dental office. You can use your dental insurance at an out-of-network dentist, but you’ll have to pay the difference between their fees and your policy’s allowable amount.
4. Your Dental Insurance Has an Expiration Date
At the end of the calendar year, your policy will expire. You won’t be reimbursed for anything you don’t use, including your premiums and deductible. Any remaining benefits won’t carry over into the new year, which means you could lose hundreds to thousands of dollars that could have been spent on your smile. With less than 3% of Americans meeting or exceeding their annual limits, don’t wait until it’s too late to use your insurance.
Invest in a Healthy Smile
A healthy smile and lower oral health expenses can be in your future if you maximize your dental insurance benefits. You can achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve without breaking the bank.
About Dr. Deval Parmar
Dr. Parmar completed her dental degree at the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry before continuing her training in various specialties, including Invisalign, laser dentistry, and dental implants. She accepts many dental plans to keep her services affordable, including Aetna, Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment before your coverage expires.