The end of the year is coming up, and many of us are busy spending our time shopping for gifts and planning family gatherings. However, are you going to make the most of the rest of your year by maximizing your dental insurance coverage? While doing so is probably not at the forefront of your mind, it probably should be. Studies report that Americans leave thousands of dollars of unused dental benefits on the table every year, letting them go to waste. Don’t let that happen to you! Instead, use these five tips for making the most of your dental insurance coverage before the end of the year.
1.) Know the Basics of Your Coverage
First thing’s first: it’s important that you understand what your dental insurance covers and by how much. Every policy is slightly different, so it’s essential that you look at the details of your plan or call your insurance provider to understand your coverage specifically. In most cases, dental insurance will cover treatments using the 100-80-50 rule:
- 90-100% coverage for preventive care, diagnostics, and screenings.
- 60-80% coverage for basic treatments like fillings and dental bonding.
- 50% coverage or less for major procedures like dental crowns and tooth extractions.
2.) Schedule Your Second Dental Checkup
The American Dental Association recommends getting a dental checkup and cleaning every six months, and practically all dental insurance policies will cover two of these visits a year at 90-100%. If you haven’t gotten your second dental checkup of the year, make sure you schedule yours before January to make the most of your benefits!
3.) Take Advantage of Your Annual Maximum
An annual maximum is a set dollar amount that your dental insurance will cover your treatments according to the 100-80-50 rule. This amount does not roll over, so whatever you don’t use of your annual maximum by the time your coverage period resets goes to waste. If your dentist has recommended a dental treatment, you should get it before the end of the year to ensure your out-of-pocket expenses are minimized.
4.) Keep an Eye on Your Deductible
Your deductible is the set amount that you need to pay for your own treatments before your insurance coverage kicks in. However, like your annual maximum, your deductible resets at the beginning of the year. If you’ve met your deductible but postpone getting the care you need until January or later, you’ll need to pay more than if you had gotten treatment before your deductible reset.
5.) Ask Your Dentist About Maximizing Your Benefits
Dental insurance can be complicated and confusing, even if you know the basics. Thankfully, your dentist and their team have years of experience navigating dental insurance terms and maximizing coverage. Talk to your dentist before the end of the year about what you can do to make the most of your dental insurance benefits.
About the Practice
Dr. Dinesh Patel and his talented team at Summit Family Dentistry are committed to the smiles of Waterford and the surrounding communities. They’re proud to make high-quality dental care affordable by being an insurance-friendly practice that is in-network with many popular insurance providers. Plus, for patients with inadequate coverage or no dental insurance, they offer flexible financing through CareCredit. For help maximizing your dental insurance benefits before the year ends, feel free to reach them online or at (814) 923-4510.