How to Maximize Your 2019 Dental Insurance Benefits Before They Expire
October 13, 2019
Every year when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, millions of people lose billions of dollars in dental insurance benefits. If this sounds shocking to you, you’re not alone. Most people are completely unaware that they’ll potentially lose lots of money in benefits once 2020 rolls around. To make sure your benefits aren’t wasted this year, a dentist is here to talk about how to make the most of your insurance plan before the end of 2019.
Use It or Lose It
The majority of dental insurance plans have what’s known as an annual maximum, or the most amount of money that it will pay for your care during each calendar year. Most of the time, this amounts to about $1,000 to $1,5000. About 97 percent of people don’t even come close to meeting this amount! Since any leftover benefits don’t roll over into the next year, you’re going to want to use them before they expire, and that money goes back to the insurance company. Here are a couple ways to make the most of your plan before 2020:
Get a Second Checkup and Cleaning
To keep your smile healthy, the American Dental Association recommends getting two checkups and cleanings a year. These appointments also prevent minor problems from going untreated and turning into larger issues. However, most people only see their dentist once a year, if at all. This is detrimental to not only your pearly whites, but your wallet as well.
In most cases, your dental insurance plan will cover basic checkups and cleanings 100 percent. So, if you’ve only seen your dentist once this year, now is the perfect time to book another appointment. You’ll probably pay nothing for it out-of-pocket!
Get Any Needed Dental Work
If there’s a dental procedure you need, like a crown or filling, then now is the best time of the year to get that taken care of. Odds are by this point in the year you’ve already met your deductible, which is the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company steps in and pays for care. Dental insurance companies typically have very low deductibles.
That means that if you have a procedure you’ve been putting off, you should go ahead and get that done before 2019 ends. Insurance companies have been known to subtly raise their prices at the beginning of the year. This might mean a higher copay for you. Why wait to get needed dental work done when you could get it completed now for a fraction of the price?
By working to maximize your insurance benefits before the end of the year, you’ll be helping both your teeth and your wallet. If you’re not sure if you still have money left on your plan, check in with your dentist. They’ll be more than happy to help you get the most out of your plan.
About the Author
Dr. Christopher J. Holland has twenty-five years and counting of dental experience under his belt. He is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the American Dental Association. His practice in San Antonio is in-network with most major PPO providers, and if your plan is out of network, they’ll still be happy to work with you to help you maximize your benefits. To learn more, you can contact Dr. Holland by clicking here or calling (210) 804-1558.
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