Your Insurance Benefits are Running Out
Have you been paying for a dental insurance policy and haven’t been to Midtown General & Cosmetic Dentistry this year? If so, there is no better time to make an appointment than now. There is one major thing to keep in mind when it comes to dental benefits–if you don’t use them, you lose them. Do not pay out monthly for a dental policy that just goes down the drain.
Read below to learn more about how a dental insurance policy works and how you should take full advantage of its healthcare benefits before the end of the year.
What Are Dental Benefits?
Dental benefits plans are cost-free treatments you get from signing a dental plan. Generally speaking, most health insurance companies are straightforward about the specific services they cover.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
Dental insurance typically covers the cost of two preventive care visits, fluoride, fillings, root canals, oral surgery, crowns, and tooth extractions. They may also cover braces, periodontics, dentures, and bridges.
What is a Maximum Benefit?
When you pay for your dental insurance each month, you are paying for coverage up to a certain point. The coverage amount is called your annual maximum. Heads up, because when the year ends, it starts all over. You must begin building back up to that max from zero in January.
The money meant for essential dental treatments goes down the drain. It will not roll over in the new year, which is a considerable gain to the company and a sorrowful loss to you. For this reason, you should never skip out on your yearly dental checkups. Six-month checkups and exams help you maintain excellent oral health and give you the most bang for your buck!
What is a Deductible?
Your deductible resets at the beginning of the new year as well. It is your out-of-pocket cost that you must pay before insurance kicks in. Most dental health plans use a 100-80-50 structure to specify how they contribute to certain dental services and procedures. The amount varies from plan to plan.
What does this all mean? It means that the cost of your preventive care could be 100% covered, basic treatments 80% covered, and major dental procedures covered at only 50%. In addition, some companies may not cover cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.
100% Dental Coverage on Preventive Dental Procedures
Your dental insurance policy isn’t only for getting your teeth fixed or dealing with dental emergencies. It’s about maintaining excellent oral health and preventing disease before it starts. Most dental care plans cover 100% of the following two times a year:
- Dental X-rays show problems invisible to the naked eye. Sometimes small cavities can be hard to detect because they hide between the teeth. Asymptomatic abscessed teeth are sometimes only seen through x-rays.
- Professional teeth cleanings prevent cavities and keep your teeth sparkly and in tip-top shape.
- A dental exam is more than just looking for cavities. Your soft tissues are inspected for suspicious areas related to oral cancer. Your dentist also examines your thyroid, lymph nodes, and jaw joints.
Taking advantage of your dental plan benefits will always be a win for you. The best way to use your benefits is to schedule out preventive care visits at the beginning of the year.
Visit Your Dentist in Charlotte, NC, Before Your Insurance Benefits Expire!
Please visit our Midtown General & Cosmetic Dentistry practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our dental team will help you to use your maximum dental benefits before you run out of time. We help you keep your beautiful smile healthy for the year to come.
