Did you know that your remaining dental insurance benefits are set to expire at the end of the year? That’s right, insurance coverage typically does not roll over from one year to the next. Dental insurance is a monthly investment, and like any investment, you should want to see a significant return! Thankfully, it is not too late in the year to still save money and boost your smile. Here are 5 tips from a dentist on how to maximize your dental insurance benefits before they expire.
#1: Understand Your Plan
The first step to maximizing your insurance benefits is to understand how your plan works. Here are 3 key terms that you should know:
- Deductible – This is the minimum amount patients must pay out-of-pocket for dental care before their insurance kicks in.
- Co-Pay – A fixed amount paid by the patient before receiving a specific dental care service. For example, a patient may be required to pay $30 for scaling to fight gingivitis. Meanwhile, their insurance will cover the remaining cost of the procedure.
- Annual Maximum – Most dental insurance policies set a maximum coverage amount per year. Once a patient reaches this limit, they will be expected to pay 100% of any additional dental care costs.
#2: Schedule a 2nd Dental Checkup
One easy way to get the most out of your dental insurance is to schedule a routine checkup before the end of the year. Even if you already visited your dentist in Framingham this past winter or spring, most dental insurance plans cover two checkups per year – at 100%! This means scheduling a 2nd dental exam and professional cleaning likely won’t cost you anything out of pocket.
#3: Don’t Waste Your Deductible
If you have already met your deductible this year but have