Get the Most Out of Your Insurance Benefits with These Three Tips

Many employers offer their employees dental insurance, but a great many of these hardworking people don’t know how to get the most out of the benefits they’re paying for. Every year, Americans leave billions of dollars in insurance benefits unused, and that money does not carry over into the next year. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your insurance at your dentist’s office before your benefits reset in January.

Get Preventative Care Now to Save on Restorative Care Later

Like many other matters in life, it is cheaper to prevent dental problems before they happen than to deal with them after they emerge. For this reason, most insurance companies will pay for all of your preventive care, leaving you with nothing to pay out of pocket. This includes exams, x-rays, cleanings, and fluoride treatments. In many cases, this also includes dental sealants.

Similarly, insurance companies incentivize their clients to resolve problems that can’t be prevented in their early stages. They will often cover 80-100% of small-scale restorative work like fillings and 50% of larger, more extensive restorations like crowns. However, getting a filling when you need a crown is unlikely to save you money in the long run, as you may have to pay for a crown later anyway when the filling fails.

Know How Your Child’s Maximum Annual Limits Work

Dental insurance plans typically have an annual limit of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 per child, meaning that the company will pay for treatment up to that amount each year. This includes preventative care, and any money left unspent will not be carried over into the next year. However, if your child needs dental work that is more expensive than that, you can often have it paid in full by splitting it into two appointments.

If your child needs $2,000 worth of dental work, but your maximum annual is $1,000, you can schedule one appointment for $1,000 of dental work in December and another for the rest of it in January after your benefits reset. That way, your insurance company pays for all the work, leaving you with no balance to pay out of pocket.

Be Sure Your Dentist Is In-Network

If a healthcare provider is in-network with your insurance company, they have agreed to provide their services to its clients at a lower fee schedule. This is an excellent way to attract new patients and can significantly reduce your copay. Check with your insurance provider so you know which dentists in your area are in-network for your plan.

You work hard for your insurance benefits, so it only makes sense that your insurance benefits should work hard for you. Knowing how to maximize your benefits will get you the most bang for your buck while saving you money in the long run.

About the Practice

McNew Dental provides leading-edge dental care in a friendly environment to the community of Rockwall, TX. Led by Drs. Danette McNew and Leeza Stein, the staff brings experience, state-of-the-art technology, and sincere concern for the patient to all treatments provided. Services include general, pediatric, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. To schedule an appointment, contact the office online or dial (972) 666-5439.