Do you know what a billion dollars looks like? Probably not, but you know it’s a lot of money. Would you believe that more than $150 billion in unused benefits is wasted each year? Now that’s a lot more money, and you’d be surprised to learn that you’re probably contributing to that total amount when choosing to avoid the dentist’s office. If you want to keep more of your money in your wallet and prevent the insurance company from receiving even more at the end of the year, read on to learn what you can do to maximize your dental benefits.
Your Benefits Will Not Rollover
Before we get to what you can do to save more money, you must first clearly understand that your dental benefits will not roll over with each new year. Unfortunately, whatever you’ve accumulated throughout 2019 will be gone the moment January 1 arrives. That means, anything that is unused will be returned to the dental insurance company, and you’ll start over at $0. Sounds unfair, right?
To keep from allowing your insurance you take even more than your monthly premium, here’s what you can do:
Make Time to See Your Dentist
Don’t underestimate the power of preventive care. It’s likely that your dental insurance plan offers two yearly visits. Not all policies and coverage are the same, so make sure to review your plan to find out how much your insurer will pay for your regular dental checkups and cleanings.
If you discover that your dentist is an in-network provider for your dental insurance, you’ll save more money since most cover preventive services at 100%. This works to your advantage because you can receive high-quality dental care immediately, prevent future dental problems from developing down the road, and save your money to buy more holiday presents instead of paying for a dental cleaning.
Pay Attention to Your Deductible
Once you meet your deductible, you’ll want to take advantage of any treatment or procedure your dentist may recommend. The reason is that your insurance company will be responsible for paying more of the bill than you. Once the new year arrives, you’ll be stuck with the entire amount since you’ll be starting over with your deductible.
Be Mindful of Your Annual Maximum
In most cases, you can expect your annual maximum to be around $1,000. This is the allotted amount your insurance company agrees to pay in a calendar year. When determining how much a specific treatment or procedure will cost, talk to your dental team about how you can best maximize this benefit so that you meet it before the end of the year.
Dental insurance is a great investment but only if you use it! Don’t give more money to the insurance company than it is necessary. Take the time to review your plan and make the most of your benefits. You’re already paying for them, so use them while there’s still time!
About the Author
Dr. Sujal Patel and his team at Coco Dental Center want you to feel confident about your dental care. That includes everything from your decision to choose us as your dental provider to the services you receive while in the dentist’s chair. Of course, having a team that can help you navigate and offer insightful suggestions on how to use your dental insurance can be beneficial, especially when nearing the end of the year. If you want to save more money and get the personalized care you need, contact us at (972) 629-9339 and let us help you maximize your dental insurance benefits.