If the word, “insurance” makes you cringe or sigh in disbelief, you’re not alone. Each year, billions of dollars are returned to dental insurance companies as a result of unused benefits. When a person forgets, avoids, or forgoes the use of a policy they’re already paying for each month, anything that is leftover suddenly vanishes at midnight on December 31. That’s right! There are no rollovers with dental benefits. If you want to avoid giving even more money to your insurer, read on to find out from a dentist in Lake Wales who explains how you can keep your cash safely in your wallet.
Review Your Policy
It’s important that you understand the key points of your dental insurance policy. Not only should you know how much your premium is each month, but you should also know the amount of your deductible, annual maximum, and individual benefits. The typical plan covers:
- 100% preventive services (i.e. dental checkups and cleanings, x-rays)
- 70-80% minor services (i.e. dental fillings)
- 50-70% major services (i.e. dental crowns, root canal, tooth extraction)
If you are having a hard time understanding your plan, talk to your dentist’s office team members who are equipped to review your policy and make useful recommendations.
Get Your Annual Cleanings
Since most insurance companies agree to cover 100% of preventive services, your two annual dental checkups and cleanings require you to pay nothing out of pocket. This makes it possible for you to go ahead and keep your oral health in check without having to wait for the money to pay for it.
Not to mention, these routine visits lessen your chances of developing additional problems in the future!
Avoid the Possibility of Increasing Fees
Yes, it’s true. The insurance company can (and most likely will) increase your fees with each new year. That means higher premiums, fewer benefits, and possibly a higher deductible. Although you can’t stop the insurance companies from doing this, you can make sure that you’re using your benefits while they’re still available. If you’ve been told that you need a particular treatment or surgery, and you’ve met your deductible, get it scheduled as soon as possible. If you wait until 2020, not only will you have to start over to reach your deductible, but there’s a chance that the dental work you need will no longer be covered by your insurance company.
Don’t let 2019 end without taking full advantage of your dental insurance plan. If you’re unsure what you need to do to maximize your benefits, speak to a dental team member about any necessary procedures, treatments, or cleanings you can have completed before 2020.
About the Author
At Forni Dental, we want you to feel good about your oral health and what it takes to attain it. That means, help you maximize your dental benefits so you can save the most money. Whether you’re in need of preventive, restorative, or emergency care, our team of experts will help you determine which treatments will be most beneficial and cost you less. To learn more, contact us at (863) 676-6021.
