Many people don’t realize that dental benefits do not carry over into the next year. That means if you’re like the average person with an annual maximum of $1,250, but you’ve only used $323 worth of dental benefits, you’re leaving over $900 behind. To avoid leaving money on the table, it’s time to start going over the benefits you have now and get scheduled for a visit.
To learn some tips on maximizing your insurance, consider reading this blog post from a Delta Dental dentist in Waco.
Dental Insurance: Use It or Lose It
As mentioned, dental insurance benefits unused are benefits going to waste in the new year. Any benefits you have will reset on January 1st, so getting an appointment scheduled prior to December 31st will make a big difference. Keep in mind that you’re not going to be the only person who’s trying to schedule appointments for the last two months of the year, so getting a time slot now is crucial. This is particularly true if you have family members who rely on your plan.
Start by contacting your insurance company, speaking with your employer (if you get insurance through them) or with a treatment coordinator at the dental practice. They can help you determine exactly what treatments you have left and what you should use prior to the end of the year.
You’ll also want to confirm that no dollars are sitting in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA.) This money typically does not carry over, so you don’t want it to go to waste. In some cases, it may be usable in the next year, but only at a discounted rate.
The Best Ways to Maximize Insurance
After you’ve determined what benefits you have, you can start to schedule them for this year as well as the next year. Treatment coordinators routinely stagger treatments so people can maximize their insurance to the fullest.
For example, if you’re overdue for a cleaning but also need X-rays, there’s no reason you can’t get both completed in 2018 and 2019 under the same benefits you earned at the beginning of 2018. Keep in mind that preventive visits are often covered anywhere from 80 to 100 percent, while still contributing to your annual maximum.
Preventive Treatments Can Make a Difference
There’s a reason that dental insurance often covers a majority of the cost for preventive treatments like cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride varnishes, fillings and dental sealants. Insurance companies understand that individuals who appear to take their oral health seriously are less likely to need more extensive dental treatments, including crowns, root canal therapy, scaling and root planing or tooth extractions.
By getting preventive treatments done now, you lower the risk of having a dental emergency later. This results in lower restorative and emergency costs to you and your family. Schedule an appointment today to make the most out of the benefits you paid for and speak with a Cigna Dental dentist in Waco!
About the Authors
Together, Dr. Nick Cobb and Dr. Theresa Lassetter work hard to make paying for dental care simple and straightforward. While they accept insurance from Delta Dental and Cigna, they also accepts plans from many other insurance companies. To get started planning your treatments, you can contact them through their website.