Millions of individuals each year celebrate the New Year while leaving money on the table with regards to dental benefit plans. With reference to the National Association of Dental Plans, just 2.8% of individuals with PPO dental plans made maximum use of their annual dental plans. Many individuals utilize Flexible Spending Accounts, which aids in paying for their dental and clinical care with pre-taxed dollars.
Dental insurance policies assist individuals in receiving the dental care they require, but the benefits arising from such plans must be used before they expire. Often, dental benefits are cleared at the end of the year without rolling over any unused benefits.
So now is the best time to make maximum use of your benefits before they expire at the end of 2021. Don’t let your well-earned dental benefits squander away. Here are reasons you should make optimal use of your dental benefits before the year ends.
Why Use Your Dental Benefits Before They Expire
Many individuals with dental benefits derive them through their employers as an inclusion to their organization’s staff health plan. Other individual plans are purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace enacted by the Affordable Care Act. Note that when you purchase a dental insurance plan either individually or through your employer, you both are paying some premiums that are wasted if you don’t visit your dentist. So why should you use your dental benefits?
Receive Preventive Care and Check for Issues
Putting your remaining dental benefits toward preventive care is a smart idea. Preventing oral ailments is better than curing them, and this applies to both your oral health and pocket. Preventive treatments, such as fluoride treatments, cleanings, and x-rays, are a significant part of your dental health.
Preventive care can likewise assist in uncovering dental issues and ultimately deal with them before they become worse. Doing this limits the issues they cause and keeps the cost of treatment at the barest minimum. So if you haven’t had a checkup yet, now is the best time to schedule one with your dentist.
Save Money on Treatment You Need
Let’s say you require a specific treatment, like an implant, crown, filling, or bridge. This is the ideal moment to utilize your benefits. Contingent upon what dental benefits remain, you could possibly get a greater part of the treatment paid for, or at least only need to pay a little portion of the expenses.
Identify what your dental needs are with regular checkups. Work with your dentist and dental benefits provider to determine what part your benefit covers. Most times, your dental office can provide the information you need.
If your remaining benefits cover just part of the treatments you need, you may get started with specific procedures and defer the remainder of the treatment to the coming year when your benefits reset.
Yearly Maximum
The yearly maximum is the aggregate sum covered by your dental insurance plan in a year. The yearly maximum renews every year though the sum varies by insurance company and typically tends to be averaged at $700 per person.
Unused benefits will not roll over to the next year, so it’s advisable you utilize all active benefits before they expire at the end of 2021.
Deductible
A dental insurance deductible is the first payment you’re required to pay for your dental services before your dental insurance company begins to pay. The sum differs from one dental plan to another and usually resets every 12 months.
The insurance deductible could be at the individual or family level depending on your plan. When your dentist presents a claim for oral treatment, the first payment will be your deductible, and from there onward, coinsurance is applied. Invariably, there will be some out-of-pocket fee for your oral health, so utilize every bit of your dental benefits.
Premiums
The premium is the sum of money you pay to your oral insurance company to cover your dental care. Depending on your insurance firm and policy, you may be given several options to pay the insurance premium – either monthly, semi-annually, or full payment before any dental coverage begins.
As long as you secure your dental claim, you should also enjoy every benefit that comes with it. Even if it seems good regarding your oral health, ensure you go for regular checkups as a form of preventive care against dental issues such as cavities, oral cancer, gum diseases, etc.
Book An Appointment With Soft Touch Dental Today
Do not leave your dental benefits unused. Book an appointment with us at Soft Touch Dental to make maximum use of your health benefits. Let us give you the perfect healthy smile this yuletide season. If you need updates on your remaining dental benefits, contact us, and we’ll help you optimally utilize your coverage.