Caring for your teeth and gums is necessary, but fees for professional dental services can add up quickly. One easy and effective way to help make everything from standard preventive care to more complex treatments and procedures is to purchase a dental insurance policy.
However, many patients who are insured neglect to take full advantage of the benefits available to them. Continue reading to learn about 3 helpful tips that can help you maximize your coverage!
Tip #1: Check the Details
Many patients who have recently purchased dental insurance are surprised to learn that their benefits don’t always activate right away. Many plans include different restrictions that must be met before they will contribute to your dental care.
For example, there’s likely an annual deductible dollar amount that must be met before the policy contributes to different services. There might also be a designated waiting period that must pass, co-pays to be aware of, and other information that can potentially impact your out-of-pocket expenses. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the intricacies of your insurance can help you make well-informed decisions to protect and preserve your smile.
Tip #2: Schedule Routine Visits
Most dental insurance policies are designed to promote proper prevention, so they cover up to 100% of preventive services, like exams, cleanings, and X-rays, that allow your dentist to catch and treat any areas of concern before they require more complex and costly services to address. This helps keep the cost of services low for you as well as for your oral healthcare and insurance providers. Otherwise, people might register for policies just long enough to undergo complex and expensive treatments, then not renew their plan, which would drive up rates across the board.
Additionally, cleanings and exams typically cost less than other services required to repair damage that has already occurred, such as fillings, root canals, and dental crowns. Investing in consistent appointments can save you money in the long run.
Tip #3: Don’t Wait to Use Your Policy
Plenty of dental insurance plans reset on January 1 with the start of a new year, and any benefits you didn’t use aren’t likely to carry over. If you’ve paid for a policy, it only makes sense to use as many benefits as you can throughout the year before your plan restarts. If you’re waiting for the ‘perfect’ time to get your teeth cleaned, scheduling before the year ends allows you to make the most of the advantages you have already invested in.
Scheduling regular appointments and learning the details of your policy can help you maximize your available benefits before the year ends!
About the Practice
Patients at Newpark Mall Family Dental Group benefit from three experts eager to help families build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. With a general dentist, pediatric dentist, and periodontist on staff, there’s no issue too simple or complex for them to tackle. They offer a comprehensive menu of services conveniently under one roof and are in-network with several popular dental insurance providers to help you save money. You can request an appointment on the website or call (510) 796-8888.