Dental insurance can be complicated, which is why most people only bother using their benefits when they absolutely have to, like in the case of an emergency. A dentist in Moses Lake can walk you through your plan and help you find out all the information necessary to maintain excellent oral health with minimal out-of-pocket costs. Although it may seem like a daunting task, learning the specifics about your plan and getting the care you need before your benefits expire on January 1st can help you make the most out of your monthly investment in dental insurance. Read on to learn what basic facts you should know about your benefits.
Have I Met My Deductible?
Every year, your insurance company sets a deductible. This is an amount of money that needs to be paid to your dentist out of your own pocket before your benefits will kick in and begin covering the cost of your treatments. Typically, the deductible is only about 50 dollars, although it’s best to double-check with your insurance providers. Once you’ve paid these fees, you don’t have to pay them again until your policy renews at the beginning of the new year. When you leave scheduling your dental work off until January 1st or later, you’ll have to repay the fees again.
Have I Reached My Maximum?
Your annual maximum is a capped cost that your insurance company will cover for your dental treatments. That means that once you reach that amount, you’ll have to pay out of your own pocket for the rest of your treatment for the year. Similarly, it also means that any unused benefits will vanish once your policy renews, which is why it’s important to use them before the year is up.
According to a study by the American Dental Association, the average American with private dental insurance only receives 323 dollars of dental treatments each year. A typical plan has an annual maximum of 1,250 dollars, which means that the 164 million people included in this statistic are losing 927 dollars every year because they aren’t taking advantage of their benefits. That’s about 152 million dollars in total.
Have I Visited My Dentist Twice This Year?
Your dentist is equipped with special training, materials, and technology that allow them to diagnose oral health problems in their earliest stages, when they’re easier to treat. They also have tools that can reach into nooks and crannies of your mouth you won’t be able to get to with a regular toothbrush at home. As if you needed any more of a reason to pick up the phone and schedule your visit, most insurance companies reward patients for being proactive about taking care of their oral health.
Your insurance plan most likely operates under a 100-80-50 model, which means they pay for 100 percent of preventive care, including two free checkups and cleanings every six months, 80 percent of “basic” services like fillings, and 50 percent of major treatments such as root canal therapy. That means that the sooner you get your issues taken care of, the less it’ll cost you.
Knowing the basics about your dental insurance plan can allow you to get the most out of it. With a trusted team of dental professionals by your side, you can get the maximize on your remaining benefits before they renew on January 1st.
About the Author
Dr. Craig Harder has been providing his community with high-quality dental care for over two decades. He is an in-network provider with Delta Dental and understands how confusing insurance can get, which is why his team offers to look up patients’ insurance information to help them learn the basics about their plan. He is passionate about making dental services as affordable as possible for his patients and helping them avoid oral health issues. For questions or to schedule an appointment for your routine checkup and cleaning before your benefits renew, visit Moses Lake Family Dentistry’s website or call 509-765-4351.