If you haven’t used your dental insurance lately, you might not realize that your dental benefits are about to reset in the new year. That means any benefits you didn’t use in the current year won’t carry over, in this case into 2020. Now is the time to maximize the benefits you do have before they go away or change, as many dental plans will update their policies in the new year as well. Below, you’ll find a series of tips to help you before the next year arrives, so you’ll never be asking yourself “How should I use my dental insurance in Bullard?”
Get an Update on Your Current Oral Health
Most dental plans will cover a majority of your dental costs when you’re pursuing preventive care. When you visit the dentist, you can confirm if there are any treatments you need to have completed in order to keep your oral health in the best condition possible. Even better, you’re doing it before your benefits reset and the money you paid into is actually being properly utilized.
Dentists pay close attention to the dental plans they accept and can help you maximize your coverage to the fullest. They can do this all while ensuring that you have a healthy smile you’re proud to show off.
Make Use of Preventive Dental Services
There are many services that fall into the category of “preventive care.” This includes exams, cleanings, X-rays, and sometimes fluoride treatments. Because of this classification, these services are typically covered at or 100 percent, which means you can largely avoid out-of-pocket costs and get the most out of your benefits.
If you’ve only been to the dentist once in the past six months (or never been this year), it’s possible that you have benefits just waiting to be used and it won’t cost you much or anything at all to use them. If you are trying to make the most of them, it helps to schedule your next visit sooner rather than later.
See if Restorative or Cosmetic Treatments are Available
Since it’s the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about other treatments that will likely require multiple visits to complete. This includes dental implants, gum contouring, crowns, and other more complex treatments. Starting them now and finishing them once you enter the new year is a great way to cut back on costs while getting the treatments you need.
Have you met your deductible but not yet met your annual maximum? Doing so could mean that you are in a position to pay much lower out-of-pocket costs in the process. Furthermore, if you are getting close to exhausting your annual maximum, the dentist can schedule your future treatments in the following year so that your costs are split among the current and upcoming year. Your remaining benefits can cover costs for your new treatment, while your reset benefits can pick up the rest!
Have you been to the dentist lately and have dental insurance? To make the most out of your dental benefits, schedule an appointment with a dentist today!
About the Author
Dr. Tad Morgan knows how life-changing dentistry can be, which is why him and his team do everything he can to help you maximize your dental insurance benefits. Whether you need a basic cleaning and exam or something more complex, he’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your budget. To learn more or schedule your next appointment, you can contact him through his website.