When you put money aside each month for your dental insurance plan, you are gifting yourself with more affordable dental care, but are you truly maximizing your benefits the way that you’d like to? Dental insurance can be difficult to comprehend because it is quite a bit different than your typical medical insurance plan. The good news is that your dentist in Columbia is here to help. Here are some tips so you can maximize dental insurance coverage.
See Your Dentist for Preventive Care
If you aren’t going to the dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups, you aren’t even close to fully maximizing your coverage! By attending these appointments, you are taking steps to prevent oral health issues from developing in the future. In addition to getting your teeth cleaned by your hygienist, your dentist will examine your smile for existing issues so that they can be treated effectively early on. This way, you can avoid more invasive and costly treatments in the future. For example, if your dentist finds a small cavity and treats it now, you may be able to avoid the need for a root canal or tooth extraction later on. Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care, so there is no excuse! Go ahead and pop “dentist near me” into the search bar so you can receive the preventive care your smile needs.
Prevent Overall Health Problems
Your oral health is more closely related to your general health than you may think. Patients who are suffering from periodontal disease are more likely to have other conditions elsewhere in the body. This includes heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, pregnancy complications for pregnant women, and other problems. Fortunately, dentists can detect more than 120 different health conditions. With routine dental cleanings and checkups, you can prevent overall health issues that would eventually require a lot of time, discomfort, and money to treat.
Choose an In-Network Dentist
If you have a dental preferred provider organization (PPO) plan, you can choose whatever dentist you want for your oral healthcare. This applies even if they aren’t an in-network provider. But if you choose an out-of-network dentist, your insurance probably won’t cover as much of your treatment, and you will end up with higher out-of-pocket costs. It’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons, but you can save quite a bit of money by choosing an in-network provider.
Use Your Flexible Spending Dollars
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) through your employer, you should put this money to use before the year comes to an end. In most cases, dental expenses are eligible FSA healthcare expenses. FSAs reduce your taxable income by putting aside money for healthcare. When you use tax-free dollars to pay for your dental care, you will save money in the end.
Review Your Dental Benefits
Now that the new year is almost here, this is a great time for you to review your dental benefits again. When you know exactly what’s covered under your plan and when it will reset, you will be able to maximize your coverage much easier. In most cases, benefits reset at the end of the calendar year. This means that you will be left responsible for paying your deductible again starting at the beginning of next year. If you have any remaining benefits, they will not carry over.
As difficult as dental insurance can be to navigate, by taking the right steps, you can maintain good oral health while managing your income.
About the Author
Dr. Matthew Hart earned his dental doctorate from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education in order to keep his knowledge and skills as sharp as possible. He has received training in many areas of the field including general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. His practice is in-network with Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, and United Healthcare. For more information on dental insurance or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (931) 388-8452.