What would you do if you found out that $1,000 of your hard-earned money was being wasted every year? According to the National Association of Dental Plans, that’s exactly what people are doing when it comes to their dental insurance. They not that only 2.8 percent of PPO dental plan participants will reach or exceed their annual maximum. This aligns with data from the American Dental Association, which states that the average American with dental insurance only spends about $323 worth of dental treatment every year, despite the fact that typical plans have an annual maximum of about $1,250.
If you have dental insurance, you’ll want to keep these four tips in mind to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck ever year all while protecting your smile in the process.
Most Dental Benefits Do Not Roll Over
More often than not, you’ll hear dentists describe dental insurance as “use it or lose it.” This essentially means that any benefits you have through your plan now will not carry over into the new year once they expire. This is designed to give you incentive to make the most of your benefits before they reset. If you have not yet been to a dental office for a routine checkup this year, you likely have unused benefits that will expire on the first of the new year.
Schedule Now to Prevent Wasting Money
The longer you wait to use your dental insurance benefits, the more difficult it will be to get scheduled. Many people will begin scheduling their second checkups of the year and other dental services a month or two before the new year, making it extremely difficult to get time with the dentist. Keep in mind that any money paid into your plan will not carry over into the new year, including deductibles.
Learn the Breakdown of Your Insurance Coverage
The better you understand the details of your dental insurance plan, the more effectively you can plan to use your benefits. While you should look over your plan’s specifics, most of them carry a 100-80-50 model. This model breaks down as followed:
- 100% coverage for preventive dental care (exams, cleanings, etc.) in most cases
- 80% for minor restorative care (such as dental fillings)
- 50% for major restorative care (dental crowns, bridges, dentures, etc.)
Keep in mind this is only a general coverage model, meaning the plan you use may be slightly different. If you need guidance on what your coverage looks like, you can contact your insurance company directly or ask for help at a dental office that accepts your insurance.
Make Time for Your Preventive Dental Care
Routine preventive dental care like exams, cleanings and X-rays are the most important services you can have completed on a regular basis. These checkups are designed to not only keep your smile professionally clean, but confirm no hidden dental issues are present and damaging your teeth, gums, and other oral structures. They effectively help you save money on more expensive services that dental insurance typically does not provide as much coverage for. Meanwhile, dental insurance will typically cover most if not all of the costs associated with preventive care.
By learning the breakdown of your coverage and making time for your routine dental checkups, you’re sure to maintain a healthier smile and spend less on dental services along the way.
About Stone Street Dental
Dr. Garrad and Dr. Duncan take your preventive dental care very seriously and look forward to making your patient experience as pleasant and productive as possible. Their office is in-network with most major PPO policies, meaning they’ve negotiated discounted rates and fees with insurance companies to minimize out-of-pocket costs to patients. They also welcome out-of-network plans, so feel free to contact them through their website to get started!
