3 Ways to Maximize Your 2019 Dental Insurance Benefits
When the clock counts down to zero on New Year’s Eve, families in Oregon and across America won’t just be saying goodbye to 2019. Whether they know it or not, millions of Americans will also be saying goodbye to their remaining annual dental insurance benefits! When it comes to dental insurance, it’s use it or lose it! Billions of dollars in unused dental insurance benefits are left to expire each year. Don’t want to contribute to this total? Here are 3 ways to maximize your dental insurance benefits in Bend before the year’s end.
#1: Get a 2nd Dental Checkup
One simple way to maximize your 2019 dental insurance benefits can be to schedule a second dental checkup before the end of the year. Why? Let’s take a look at what services most insurance plans cover:
- Preventive services – Biannual checkups, X-rays and professional cleanings are typically covered 100%.
- Basic services – Fillings, simple extractions and other basic services are typically covered at around 80%.
- Extensive restorative services – Root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures, etc. are typically covered at 50%.
Most insurance companies will fully cover up to two trips to the dentist per year for preventive care, so fitting in a second dental checkup in the next couple of months will likely cost you $0 out-of-pocket!
#2: Don’t Waste Your Deductible – Get Treatment Now
A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out-of-pocket before your dental insurance benefits kick in. Many people do not realize this, but most deductibles reset at the beginning of each year.
This is one reason why the fall months are often an ideal time to pursue dental treatment. If you have already paid your deductible and your annual coverage remains, you can likely get a filling, crown or other dental service you may have been considering at a dramatically reduced cost.
If you wait until 2020, on the other hand, you will in all likelihood need to pay your deductible again for a procedure that would probably cost you less money now.
#3: Split Treatment Costs
A third way to maximize your dental insurance benefits in Bend is to split restorative treatment costs over two calendar years. You can do this if you have already met your deductible this year but have yet to reach your plan’s annual maximum.
If you have been considering more extensive treatment such as dental implants, bridges, dentures or a root canal, you should start treatment now to take advantage of your remaining 2019 dental insurance benefits. Any treatment costs incurred in 2020 may then be covered by your plan’s renewed benefits once you meet your annual deductible.
No one likes navigating the ins and outs of their dental insurance plan – but everyone likes to save money! To find out how to best use your remaining insurance benefits to boost your oral health, talk to a dentist in Bend today.
About the Author
Dr. Benjamin De Graff strives to provide affordable quality dental care to residents and families of Bend, Oregon. At Ponderosa Dental Center, Dr. De Graff offers an in-house dental plan, so patients without insurance can access the preventive care they need without breaking the bank. As an emergency dentist in Bend, Dr. De Graff also ensures patients who suffer dental trauma get the urgent care they need. Learn more by visiting the Ponderosa Dental Center website or calling 541-382-3691.