You pay for your dental insurance policy month after month, so it is reasonable that you want to get as much out of it as possible. How can you do that? Every insurance plan has its own set of stipulations and details, so you will need to familiarize yourself with your unique policy in order to use it to your greatest advantage. In the meantime, though, you can get some practical tips from this blog post. Hopefully, what you learn will equip you to maximize your benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket costs!
Do Not Neglect Preventive Care
Dental insurance plans are designed to encourage patients to prevent oral health problems. Therefore, most policies completely cover the cost of two routine appointments each year. For nothing out of pocket, you could get your teeth cleaned and examined, as well as enjoy other basic services.
Remember that Benefits Expire
It is common for dental insurance plans to operate on a calendar-year basis. On January 1, you may get a certain amount of money that you can put toward dental services, which is called your annual maximum. At the end of the year, any unused portion of that maximum disappears; it will not roll over into the following year. Therefore, as you approach the end of the year, it would be wise to book an appointment for any necessary services so you can take advantage of your remaining benefits.
Schedule Restorative Work as Soon as Possible
Dental insurance usually offers more robust coverage for minor procedures than major procedures. For example, the cost of a filling for a small cavity might be 80% covered by your plan. However, if that cavity worsens to the point where you need root canal therapy and a crown, your treatment may be just 50% covered. It is always in your best financial interests to address oral health problems while they are still in their early stages.
Do Not Worry Too Much about Network Status
If you have a PPO dental plan, you have the freedom to visit virtually any dental practice, regardless of whether they participate in your insurance network. Fees might be slightly different between in-network and out of network practices, but if you strongly prefer a certain dentist, you should not let network considerations hold you back from visiting them.
Shop for the Right Plan
Dental insurance policies can vary greatly in their details. If you are in the process of shopping for your 2024 coverage, carefully consider what you need. For example, if your oral health is already pretty good, you may need a simple, basic plan with a low premium. If you have some oral health issues, you may need a higher-end policy.
Are you taking steps to maximize your dental insurance? Use the above tips to derive the greatest value possible from your benefits.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Anthony Dillard is a highly accomplished dentist in Carrollton. He focuses on providing top-quality care at reasonable prices. Our practice welcomes all PPO insurance plans; we can walk you through the process of using your benefits and make sure you understand your out-of-pocket obligation before you commit to anything. To learn more about how Dr. Dillard and our team may be able to serve you, contact us at 972-394-1492.