Dental insurance is meant to make dental care more affordable overall. However, the benefits will only go to waste if you allow them to expire before the end of the year. For a majority of plans, dental benefits will be unusable on January 1st. The deductibles for these plans will also be reset, meaning you’ll have to pay more out-of-pocket costs just to get the benefits you were likely already entitled too.
Luckily, a dentist in Downtown Portland is prepared to make that process easier.
How to Get Started Maximizing
Start by contacting either your insurance company directly or the HR manager at your workplace, assuming you get your insurance through your employer. Both individuals can break down the details of your plan, such as your annual maximum, the current benefits you can start utilizing now and what you can expect out-of-pocket costs to look like. You can also go to the insurance company’s website and sign in to your account. Once you know what benefits you have, you can start thinking about what treatments you need to use before the end of the year.
Far too often, money put into dental benefits get wasted because people don’t realize they have money sitting in a Flexible Spending Account or they haven’t reached their annual maximum. On average, only $323 of dental benefits is used annually, despite the typical annual maximum being as high as $1,250.
Treatments to Consider
The best treatments to consider usually include preventive procedures like exams, cleanings, X-rays and sometimes fluoride varnishes. All of these treatments are covered anywhere from 80 to 100 percent by insurance and carry some of the lowest out-of-pocket costs. This is because insurance companies want to make it easier for individuals to pay for treatment they know will lower their risk of dental emergencies later.
If you’re trying to maintain long-term oral health, biannual dental visits are the best way to make the most out of your insurance plan. You can prevent the majority of health concerns in this way. If something does come up, you’re more likely to receive an earlier diagnosis, which is always more ideal.
How the Dental Office Can Help
Dental offices are more than happy to help you maximize your insurance benefits, especially during this time of year. A great way to accomplish this is to apply for preapproval before you begin treatment. This ensures that your benefits are available and gives you leverage if the insurance company were to reject your claim later.
Additionally, staggering long-term treatments as you enter the new year is ideal if you have multiple restorations to place. As long as you start your treatment plan now, you won’t miss out on new benefits going into next year.
Make the most out of your dental benefits by scheduling your next appointment with a cosmetic dentist in Downtown Portland today!
About the Author
Dr. Megan Block earned her DDS degree from the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry. Her office is an in-network provider with most PPO plans, including Aetna, Delta Dental, Cigna and many others. To learn more about maximizing your benefits, you can contact her through her website.