3 Tips to Maximize Dental Insurance Benefits

As you gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate the holidays, place your smile at the top of your priority list because your dental benefits are expiring soon. Your dental insurance is a monthly investment designed to lower your long-term oral health costs, but time is running out to use your coverage. Don’t worry, here are 3 tips to maximize dental insurance benefits before the year ends.

1. Visit Your Dentist for a Cleaning and Checkup

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a cleaning and checkup every 6 months to ensure your smile thrives for a lifetime. Not to mention, it saves money down the road. Research shows every $1 spent on prevention can cut restorative and emergency fees by up to $50. Unfortunately, the ADA reports 46% of people don’t visit a dentist regularly, with cost being the most common reason for delaying appointments.

If you have dental insurance, you can get the cleanings and checkups you need without worrying about a large bill. Paying your monthly premiums gives you access to 100% preventive coverage, so you’ll only be responsible for the co-payment.

2. Don’t Wait to Treat Dental Problems

If money is tight, you may have put off a procedure because you’re concerned about the expense, like a filling. Although the issue is small now, it will continue to linger in your mouth until it turns into a costly dental emergency. While you may not believe it will happen to you, 1 in 6 Americans has one annually, which results in 9.2 million lost work hours each year.

Many dental emergencies can be avoided through prevention and quick treatment. You can use your dental insurance to offset the cost of many procedures, like fillings, root canal therapy, and crowns. After reaching your annual deductible, your benefits can cover up to 80% of the cost to significantly reduce your out-of-pocket dental expenses. You can rehabilitate your smile without breaking the bank.

3. Choose the Right Dentist

Your dental insurance recommends choosing an in-network dentist. They have pre-negotiated rates for specific services to lower the amount you pay. Although you’ll enjoy more coverage at the time of service, it can limit your treatment options.

You can use your coverage to visit an out-of-network dentist to have more freedom to get the exact services you desire. However, you will be responsible for the difference between the dentist’s fees and your insurance’s allowable amounts.

Use It Before You Lose It

At the end of the year, your policy will expire, and you won’t be reimbursed for anything you don’t use. Nothing will carry over for accumulation, so you will lose everything you’ve paid. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Maximize your dental insurance today.

About Dr. Mark Gaches

After earning his dental degree from the University of Southern California, Dr. Gaches continued his training to earn a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. He strives to keep his services affordable by accepting many dental insurances. Contact our office today to schedule your cleaning and checkup.