The end of the year is rapidly approaching, and you’ve probably got quite a few things on your to-do list: holiday shopping, planning time off from work, taking a trip with your family or friends, and simply enjoying the many holidays that fall during this time of the year! But amidst everything that’s going on, something you should keep in mind is your dental insurance; with the calendar year closing, your benefits will be resetting! Continue reading below to learn about three ways you can easily make the most of your plan before the year ends—your smile and wallet will both thank you!
Tip #1. Know Your Plan Inside and Out
You should aim to familiarize yourself with the specific details of your plan; learn terminology including deductibles, copayments, and maximums, and always stay up to date with the services you’re covered for. Knowing these terms and details and understanding how they impact your coverage will save you a lot of trouble whenever you go to use your benefits. If you’re still lost or confused after perusing your plan, your dentist’s team would be more than happy to review the specifics of your coverage with you—they want you to save wherever you can, too!
Tip #2. See Your Dentist for Preventive Care
Dental insurance plans place heavy emphasis on preventive care, and for good reason. Dentists and insurance companies alike understand that oral health issues have the tendency to worsen over time if they’re left untreated, eventually becoming quite severe and costly to treat. However, it’s estimated that the majority of patients with PPO plans don’t reach or exceed their annual maximum—meaning they have benefits going to waste! One way to ensure that you aren’t wasting money that’s already been spent is by attending your routine preventive checkups—teeth cleanings, X-rays, and other preventive services aimed at safeguarding your smile are generally covered to some extent.
Tip #3. Schedule Dental Work Strategically
There are certain treatments and procedures (dental implants are one example) that take multiple steps/visits to complete. Needless to say, the costs of these visits can quickly add up, even with insurance coverage. This means you might want to be a little creative with how you’re scheduling dental work. For example, if there’s a treatment you need but it exceeds your annual maximum, consider scheduling part of it for the following calendar year, as to take advantage of two annual maximums, rather than just one.
Dental insurance is there to help you out when your smile needs it most—so you shouldn’t shy away from using your benefits and achieving the healthiest, brightest smile possible without breaking the bank!
About the Author
Dr. Lucia Troisi received her dental doctorate from NOVA Southeastern University and has proudly served patients and families in the Chesapeake, VA community for several years. Her practice is excited to offer a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services. They’re also happy to accept dental insurance plans from a wide range of providers. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up your next visit, feel free to contact Dr. Troisi’s team online or over the phone for additional assistance. Telephone: (757) 548-1611.