Did you know that at the beginning of the new year, most dental insurance benefits restart, meaning any unused ones will vanish? Patients often treat their monthly investment in insurance as something to use only in case of an emergency. However, these plans are built to reward patients who get routine preventive treatment. Although dental insurance may seem like a tricky and stressful topic to navigate, with the right dentist in Bellingham by your side, it’s a breeze. Read on to learn what you should know about your plan and how you can get the most out of your benefits before they expire at the beginning of the new year.
Saving Money by Getting Preventive Care
Being proactive about your oral health is what dental insurance companies want to see, which is why they cover the majority of preventive treatments. Plus, tackling issues while they’re still small helps you avoid experiencing pain and severe oral health problems that could take you out of work for a few days. According to a PBS interview of Dr. James Stephens, the President of the California Dental Association, for each dollar that’s spent on preventive dental services, about 50 dollars is saved on a more expensive and invasive treatment.
Dental insurance companies reward patients who visit their dentist routinely and take care of the minor issues by covering more of the cost of those services. They operate under a model known as 100-80-50. What this means is that your plan covers 100 percent of the cost of preventive care, which includes two free semi-annual checkups and cleanings, 80 percent of basic treatments like filling cavities, and 50 percent of major services such as root canal therapy. The sooner you act and get your oral health problems treated, the less you’ll have to pay out of your own pocket.
Meeting Your Yearly Maximum
Every year, your insurance company will place a cap on what they will pay out for your dental treatments, which is called a maximum. When that number isn’t reached, the remaining amount doesn’t roll over into next year. Instead, you’ll just lose those benefits altogether. According to a study by the American Dental Association, the average American with dental insurance has about 323 dollars of services done each year. Since the typical insurance plan has a yearly maximum of about 1,250 dollars, that means that 164 million Americans with private dental insurance are losing 927 dollars each year because they aren’t using all of their benefits.
Avoiding Higher Fees
Every year your dental insurance benefits renew, fees like your copayment and deductible can change however they see fit. That means that one year, your out-of-pocket costs can be lower or higher than the next. Instead of gambling on a lowered deductible, it’s the best idea to use your benefits before these fees rise, saving you down the road.
One of the hardest tasks is finding a dentist in Bellingham that wants to, and is willing to, help you get the most out of your dental insurance benefits and navigate the ins-and-outs of your policy. With the right team of professionals by your side, you’ll be able to save yourself from steep out-of-pocket costs while keeping your smile looking and feeling healthy.
About the Practice
At Morena & Young Dental, our patients feel comfortable and confident in our care because they trust that we’ll help them maximize their insurance benefits. We are an in-network provider for major dental insurance plans such as Delta Dental, Cigna, and Regence. Our team is happy to help patients learn more about their benefits and is responsible for filing all claim forms. For questions about your plan or to schedule an appointment before the start of the new year, visit our website or call 360-676-0642.