Did you know your smile affects your overall health? The discovery of the mouth-and-body connection has raised awareness of the importance of routine dental care. Access to affordable services makes it easier than ever to achieve a healthy smile because 77% of Americans have dental insurance. The monthly investment provides reduced rates for a variety of oral health needs. Unfortunately, less than 3% of Americans meet or exceed their annual limits. If you’re not utilizing your dental plan, you’re throwing money down the drain because your benefits don’t last forever. Worried about a large bill? Here are 4 tips to maximize your coverage to keep a healthy smile within your budget.
1. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Your dental coverage differs from your medical insurance because it has yearly limits and maximums. Your monthly premium gives you access to discounted fees for necessary services, like cleanings and checkups. Since dentistry focuses on prevention, you can see your dentist twice a year to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You can avoid a costly treatment down the road to reduce your long-term dental expenses.
2. Don’t Wait for Your Benefits to Expire
Your dental plan will expire at the end of the calendar year. You won’t be reimbursed for anything you don’t use, and nothing will accumulate for the following year. Besides wasting your premiums and deductible, you will also lose your annual allowance to offset the cost of dental treatments. Although every plan is unique, this typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000, so there isn’t any reason to delay a necessary procedure.
3. Don’t Put Off Dental Work
Your dental coverage provides a financial safety net, so money never stands in your way of treatment. A basic plan follows a 100-80-50 outline, which includes:
- 100% Preventive Services: You can visit your dentist in Fort Worth for semi-annual care for a minimal copayment.
- 80% Minor Restorative Services: After reaching your annual deductible, your insurance can pay up to 80% of the cost of general restorative treatments, like fillings and tooth extractions.
- 50% Major Restorative Services: Complex treatments are partially covered under your dental insurance, such as dentures.
4. Explore All Your Options
Your dental insurance recommends visiting a dentist who is in their network because they have pre-negotiated rates; however, you have the freedom to choose any practice that accepts your coverage. You can shop around to find the perfect dentist for your smile. You can still use your insurance, but you’ll need to pay the difference between the dentist’s fees and your policy’s annual coverage.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to use your dental insurance. You can invest in lasting oral health with no financial strain, so you’ll have one more reason to smile.
About Dr. William Buck
Dr. Buck earned his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry to create healthy, beautiful smiles. He provides cutting-edge dentistry at affordable rates. Dr. Buck works with many dental insurances, including BlueCross BlueShield and MetLife. Contact our office today to use your coverage before it expires.