And just like that, another year has flown by. With the
changing seasons and the holidays in full swing, it can be easy to forget about
your next dental appointment. You just might be so busy that you’d rather wait
until next year to get treatment. After all, you’ll have your benefits to use
then, right? Wrong! Once the new year is here, your benefits will reset,
leaving anything left unused to disappear! To make sure you don’t miss out on
essential treatments, it’s time to maximize your dental insurance
benefits in Gainesville.
Benefits Rarely Carry Over Into the Following Year
On January 1st, 2020, it is extremely unlikely that
your current benefits are going to be available to you. For example, if you
know that your plan offers two cleanings per year and you’ve only had one
cleaning completed so far, you likely won’t be able to use that second cleaning
benefit in January of 2020. This is because dental insurance plans reset annually,
even if you still have benefits to utilize.
The fact is many people will not maximize their dental
insurance benefits because they don’t realize that they have benefits to lose. According
to the American Dental Association, the
average American with dental insurance receives only $323 of dental treatment a
year. A typical plan has an annual maximum of $1,250. This means
each of the 164 million people with private dental insurance is losing $927 per
year, resulting in billions of dollars of benefits lost.
A Lot Can Change from Year to Year
Additionally, dental insurance plans rarely stay the same
year after year. For example, premiums can easily go up or your co-pay can
change, increasing out-of-pocket costs. The same applies for your deductible,
which refers to the amount you need to spend before insurance even kicks in.
Once 2020 is here, you’ll need to pay that deductible again just to receive coverage
from insurance. That’s why using benefits while you have them (and regularly
pay for them) is so important.
What Your Dental Insurance Likely Covers
Not all dental plans are identical, but many of them do
provide coverage in the same way. For example, 100 percent of costs are usually
reserved for exams, cleanings, and X-rays (preventive care), 80 percent of
costs are typically covered for tooth-colored fillings and root canals (minor
restorative care), and 50 percent of costs are usually covered for crowns,
bridges and dentures (major restorative care.)
While you should always look into the details of your plan
yourself, it’s always better to have a good idea of what to expect when it’s time
to use your benefits. Schedule an appointment with a dentist in Gainesville
today to save money and make the most of your dental insurance!
About the Author
Not only is Dr. Shue Her highly
experienced as a dentist, but his office is in-network with many major dental
insurance providers, allowing you to make the most of your dental plan. Him and
his team will file claims on your behalf, make sure you understand exactly what
is covered in your benefits, and break down your total costs ahead of time. To
learn more or schedule an appointment, you can contact him through his website.