While it is a somewhat common fear for people, going to the dentist is one of the most important things you can do for your health and well-being. Not getting your teeth cleaned and checked up on frequently can lead to plenty of unsightly, harmful and painful symptoms or issues. Unfortunately, many Americans see a dentist much less frequently than they would like.
A big reason for this is cost. Paying for dental visits out of pocket can be expensive. As a result, most people will have some type of dental insurance coverage to save them money on these important visits.
However, simply having coverage isn’t always good enough. In order to truly get the most out of your plan, you need to be sure to maximize your coverage. If you are curious about how you can go about doing that, you have come to the right place. This article will look at a few tips to maximize your coverage.
Shop Around
First and foremost, you’ll get the most out of your coverage if you have the best coverage. Getting the best coverage often involves shopping around and comparing plans to find one that works for your needs. Your needs may differ from others and what others look for in coverage may not be the best option for you.
There are many different providers that offer high quality dental insurance plans, so it pays to look at multiple options. If you simply go with the first option you see, you could be missing out on some great deals and offers. It can be a timely process to do all that research, but it is certainly worth it.
Go For Regular Checkups
If you are paying for dental coverage or have it as part of your work benefits, be sure to use it. While some people only use coverage to protect them in case of something like a root canal or fillings, it can have so much more value. Going to get a checkup once or twice a year will ensure you get the preventative care to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
In addition to being good for your dental health, regularly using your dental insurance will be sure you are using it and not losing it. If you don’t use your coverage, it won’t carry over to the next year. So going for regular checkups will provide you the maximum value from your coverage.
Understand Exactly What Coverage You Have
While many people know whether or not they have dental coverage, that is often as far as the knowledge goes. But to truly unlock the potential of your coverage and maximize its value, you need to understand exactly the kind of coverage you have. Doing some digging is worth it to make sure you know what you are covered for.
You should know the type of dental plan that you have, as well as the options or features. You should know your deductible, your maximums as well as your copayments. Both your dental office and the insurance company themselves should be able to help you understand the limitations and benefits of your coverage, in case you are lost.
Time Your Treatments Intelligently
As mentioned earlier, you cannot carry over unused coverage to the next year. Because of this, it is a good idea to really think about when you go into the dentist and get your treatments or checkups. For example, if you have a large dental procedure set for mid-December, but you have already used up your coverage, try and get it pushed into the following year. Always try and schedule checkups and appointments with this in mind.
This will allow your coverage to be reset, which will lower the amount you are ultimately responsible for paying. While you can’t always prepare for the dentist as emergencies do happen, the least you can do is try to ensure you save as much money as possible. Now, a dentist office won’t always be willing to move an appointment like that, but it’s worth a try.
Make Sure You Go to a Dentist In Your Network
Something many people might not know is that your dental services may not always be covered if you go to a dentist outside of your network. If your dentist is in-network with your insurance plan, you will get the best benefits. Unfortunately, many plans will have multiple different networks, so it can be hard to pin down how much coverage you actually have.
Now, certain types of plans will allow you to go to dentists out of your network and still be covered. However, be sure to clarify that yours is that type before you decide to go to any dentist. Even still, you will always get the top of the line benefits and maximize coverage if your dentist is in-network.
In conclusion, hopefully this blog post has been helpful for trying to maximize your dental insurance coverage.