Did you know that we only have just a few more weeks left in 2019. With your busy schedule the year has flown by, but there is still a little bit of time to get important things done before the year ends. For instance, have you used your dental insurance benefits to your advantage? If not, you could be losing a lot of money both now and in the future! In this blog post, you’ll learn why it is worth taking the effort and time to visit your dentist before 2020 comes around.
You’ve Already Paid for Certain Services.
Every month, you pay your dental insurance premiums. This entitles you to coverage for some dental services—perhaps even at no additional cost to you. In many cases, preventive care (e.g., cleanings and checkups) is mostly, if not entirely, covered by insurance plans, meaning that you could have low or no out-of-pocket expenses for these regular visits. Not taking advantage of your dental insurance benefits is like purchasing a ticket for a cruise but then deciding to stay home. You’ve paid the price, so you should enjoy the benefits!
You May Have Available Money in Your Yearly Maximum.
Every year, you have what is called your yearly maximum, or the highest amount that your dental insurance will contribute to your oral care. Although it can vary from plan to plan, it is usually around $1,000 to $1,500. If you know that you need a certain treatment, check with your insurance. You may have money available that can be used toward the procedure, reducing how much you owe from your own wallet.
Your Benefits Do Not Rollover into the New Year.
For most people, if you don’t use all your vacation days from work, the extra days carry over into the next year, and you can keep those previously unused days. This is not how dental insurance benefits work. They reset every January. In other words, if you don’t use your dental insurance benefits before the end of the year, you lose them. Don’t leave money on the table—take advantage of the services you deserve because of your benefits.
You Can Avoid Costly Problems Later.
Dental insurance’s primary focus is on prevention. Why? It is much more cost effective to avoid oral problems in the first place than to wait and treat them later after they cause damage. As a result, your insurance plan enables you to get two dental checkups and cleanings per year, sometimes at no extra charge. However, if you need minor repairs on a tooth, the cost of treatment is only about 70 to 80 percent covered. For more major restorative work, your insurance may only cover about 50 percent of the cost. Obviously, you can save more money by stopping problems as soon as possible.
Instead of losing money, you should end the year on a high note and use the dental services you’ve already paid for. Taking a little bit of time out of your busy holiday schedule for a dental visit will be well worth it! Your smile and your wallet will thank you for it down the road.
About Jacksonville Complete Dentistry
At Jacksonville Complete Dentistry, Dr. Rose Johnson and Dr. Wayne Barker offer high-quality dental services to families in the Jacksonville area at an affordable rate. They are proud to be in-network with many insurance providers, including Cigna, Aetna, Delta Dental PPO, MetLife, and many more. If you have an insurance question, you can contact Jacksonville Complete Dentistry by calling (904) 645-6457 or clicking here.