This New Year’s Eve, will you be toasting to health and happiness for the year ahead? Both will be better ensured if you take advantage of your dental insurance benefits now, before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. Once the calendar turns over, any remaining benefits – the benefits you’ve already paid for – will likely expire! Don’t want to let your benefits go to waste? Here are some key facts from a dentist in Mobile, AL on how dental insurance works.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
Dental insurance plans are designed to reduce patients’ overall dental care costs. While the details often vary, most insurance plans provide some combination of the following coverage:
- 100% coverage for preventive care, such as biannual checkups, X-rays and professional cleanings
- 70%-80% coverage for basic services, such as fillings and simple extractions
- 50% coverage for major restorative care, such as root canals, crowns, bridges and dentures
As you can see, scheduling a dental checkup before the end of the year will help keep your smile in great shape and likely cost you $0 out-of-pocket. The American Dental Association recommends visiting a dentist twice a year to maintain a healthy smile and prevent minor problems from going untreated.
Use It or Lose It
According to the National Association of Dental Plans, less than 3% of people with PPO dental plans typically reach or exceed their plans’ annual maximum. An annual maximum is the total amount of money a dental insurance provider will pay for a member’s dental care within one year.
Not reaching this annual limit is essentially like leaving money on the table, as any unused benefits typically expire at the end of the calendar year. So, have you maxed out your 2019 dental insurance benefits? Whether you have $50 or $500 left on your annual maximum, avoid losing the benefits you have already paid for by scheduling dental treatment before the year’s end.
New Year, New Plan?
A common phrase heard in early January is “new year, new me.” However, “new year, new dental insurance plan” also applies to many individuals. Compared to medical insurance, dental insurance policies change much more frequently, with new premiums, deductibles and benefits most often being applied at the beginning of the year. If you like your current coverage, this is yet another reason to take advantage of it before the end of the year. Waiting until 2020 to start dental treatment could end up costing you more if your insurance plan significantly changes.
Maximize your remaining 2019 dental insurance benefits to boost your oral health and protect your wallet. Talk to a dentist in Mobile, AL for assistance in navigating the particulars of your dental insurance plan.
About the Author
Dr. Hube Parker has over 25 years of experience providing quality dental care in Mobile, AL and surrounding communities. He believes visiting the dentist should be affordable for every family, which is why his practice, Parker Dental & Orthodontics, is in-network with a large number of popular insurance policies. Patients who wish to know more about how to maximize their insurance benefits can visit Dr. Parker’s website or call 251-634-2341.