Dental insurance is an important investment to have. It can help you save quite a bit over time. By taking care of your smile, you are contributing to the health of your entire body. However, dental insurance doesn’t work exactly like the medical insurance that you are used to, so it can be challenging to navigate at first. Here are a few tips to help you fully maximize your dental insurance benefits and get the most out of your plan.
Utilize Preventive Coverage
Are you seeing your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and checkups? If you answered “no” then you aren’t even close to fully maximizing your benefits. By attending these regular appointments, you can prevent the development of oral health issues. Your hygienist will thoroughly clean your smile, and your dentist will keep an eye out for existing oral health issues that need to be addressed. By catching small issues now, you can avoid costly, more invasive procedures later. For example, if your dentist treats your cavity now with a filling, you may be able to avoid the need for root canal therapy or an extraction later on.
Prevent Oral Health Issues
Your oral health and overall health go hand-in-hand. People who have periodontal disease are more likely to have other serious conditions as well. They include heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and pregnancy complications for women who are expecting. By seeing your dentist, you can prevent future gum infections and overall health issues that require lots of time and money to treat.
Choose an In-Network Dentist
If you have a PPO plan, this will give you the ability to choose any dentist that you’d like, even if they aren’t on your list of “in-network” dentists. However, if you choose a dentist who is “out-of-network,” your insurance plan isn’t as likely to cover as much of your treatment, so you could end up with higher out-of-pocket costs.
Use Your Flexible Spending Dollars
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) through your employer, you should use these dollars before the year comes to an end. Most of the time, dental expenses are eligible FSA healthcare expenses. FSAs reduce your taxable income by putting aside money for healthcare. When you use tax-free dollars to pay for your dental treatment, you can ultimately save money.
Review Your Benefits Again
The end of the calendar year is approaching, so now is an excellent time for you to look over your benefits again. By knowing what is covered under your plan and when it will reset, you will be able to better maximize your coverage. For most people, benefits reset at the end of the calendar year. This means that you will be left responsible for your annual deductible once again. Any remaining benefits will not carry over to the following year.
If you haven’t been to the dental office in a while, now is a great time to make an appointment and get back on track. This way, you can make the most out of your 2021 benefits before it is too late!
About the Author
Dr. Michael Lavinder is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for over 40 years! He earned his dental doctorate from the Medical College of Virginia and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association and Virginia Dental Association. For more information on dental insurance or to schedule an appointment at his office in Collinsville before the year ends, visit his website or call (276) 647-1494.