How Winter Illnesses Affect Tooth Health
It's everyone's least favorite part about this time of year. No, not the cold weather; we're talking about the cold season. As the temperatures drop and the winter season sets...
You wouldn’t walk out of your office on December 31st with a pile of cash left on the table to throw out, would you? So why leave money on the table with your dental health insurance benefits!
As the end of the year approaches and your annual health benefits come to an end, you might be trying to recollect when your last professional teeth cleaning was. Most dental insurance plans allow for two teeth cleanings annually. Don’t your hard earned dental benefits slip away before they expire.
Yearly Dental Insurance Maximums
Your dental plan gives you a maximum of what can be spent on your dental care on an annual basis. This amount varies between insurance companies, and averages around $1000 per person, per year. These maximums are typically reset at the end of the year, and if you have unused benefits, they will be forfeited.
Out of Pocket Deductibles
Your deductible is the amount of money that you pay out of pocket before your benefits begin to take effect. The fee varies between insurance companies and plan details. Your deductible can also be higher if you prefer to see a dentist that is outside of your network. When your plan rolls over in January, you are required to pay your deductibles again before you can start taking advantage of your benefits.
Premiums
Many people that may monthly for their dental benefits do not exercise their ability to use them. If you are paying for dental benefits, you should be taking advantage of using them! Not using the benefits you are paying for allows for the insurance company to take your money away from you, and it put it straight into their own pockets.
Fee Increases
Another reason to use your dental benefits now is that it is always possible that fees will be raised to accommodate for the cost of living or increased material costs in the new year. An increase in fees can also raise your copay amount.
Dental Issues Don’t Resolve Themselves
By delaying treatment, you may be allowing for a more extensive and more expensive treatment to be needed in the future. What may be a simple cavity now can quickly turn into a root canal or tooth extraction down the road. Treating your teeth with care now will save you time and more of your hard-earned money in the future.
Commonly Covered Procedures
Most commonly, insurance plans will cover what is considered preventative care. This coverage often includes two professional cleanings and exams per calendar year. Professional teeth cleanings with a dental hygienist every six months, as well as an exam are typically included in most standard dental insurance policies. Most dental insurance plans will also cover a certain percentage of your restoration treatments based on the predetermined maximum of your particular plan including:
- Preventative care, such as bi-annual cleanings, exams, and x-rays
- Basic procedures, including fillings, root canals, and extractions
- Fluoride treatments for children
- Some major procedures, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, and implants
Taking Advantage of Your Coverage
2018 is almost over, and that means it’s time to take advantage of the benefits you have been paying for all year. Most dental plans do not let your dental benefits roll over into the next year if they go unused. If you haven’t yet taken advantage of all your benefits, then now is the time to do so!
Your first step is to call Dr. Aubrey Baudean to make sure you can schedule an appointment before the end of the year. We’re always looking out for our patients and want to make sure you are taking the fullest advantage of your benefits. If you have any questions regarding your dental insurance benefits, stop by or call us today so we can help.
