The end of the year is approaching quickly, which means your dental insurance benefits will be expiring soon. Since it’s a monthly investment, it only makes sense that you’d want to make the most of your coverage while you still can. Doing so will not only help you maintain good oral health, but save you plenty of money down the line. To help you out, a dentist in Hamden shares a few ways you can maximize dental insurance benefits.
Don’t Neglect Preventive Care
A healthy smile requires more than just brushing and flossing. You must visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning as well. These preventive visits allow your dentist to prevent, detect, and treat oral health issues before they become severe. The good news? Regularly seeing your dentist doesn’t have to break the bank! Since preventive dentistry is critical for maintaining good oral health, most dental insurance policies will cover services like oral examinations, teeth cleanings, and routine X-rays at little or no cost to you.
Understand Your Coverage
Most dental insurance plans will only cover preventive dental care. However, you might be able to use your benefits for other types of dental work. For example, if you have a compromised tooth that requires a filling, your insurance may cover it since it’s considered restorative. Similarly, dental crowns might be covered if your dentist deems them medically necessary. Of course, every policy is unique, so make sure you review the details of your specific plan to understand what’s covered and by how much.
Find Out When Your Benefits Expire
Even though every insurance plan is different, most tend to operate on a calendar-year basis. At the beginning of each year, you’re given an annual maximum, which is the most your plan will pay for approved services. If there are any benefits left unused by the end of the year, they will expire and won’t roll over into the next one. Therefore, if you have any outstanding dental treatments, it’s a good idea to schedule them as soon as you can.
Schedule Major Treatments in Advance
It may come as no surprise to learn that major dental treatments can take multiple appointments to complete. If you require dental work that exceeds your annual maximum, ask your dental team about scheduling part of it this year and the rest next year. With this strategy, you can use two annual maximums instead of just one and significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses!
Use Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Dollars
Some people have a flexible spending account (FSA) in addition to their dental insurance. It allows you to set tax-free money aside for dental expenses and other healthcare costs. Like benefits, these funds may expire at the end of the year. Try and use what’s left in your account before it’s gone!
Have you made the most out of your dental insurance? If not, don’t worry – there’s still time to do. By following the tips outlined above, you can maximize your dental insurance benefits and walk into the new year with a healthier smile and more money in your pocket!
About the Practice
At DP General Dentistry, we offer exceptional, state-of-the-art, individually tailored dental services that are guaranteed to meet all your oral health needs. We enjoy educating our patients to help them make confident and well-informed decisions for their smiles. If you have any questions about your dental insurance, we’re more than happy to answer them for you. Visit our website or call (203) 288-0951 to speak to a member of our team.
