Have you waited all year to finally make an appointment with your periodontist in Worcester? With dental insurance coverage, you could be missing out on valuable benefits that can save you money in the long run. If this sounds too good to be true, we encourage you to take a look at these 4 benefits to maximizing your dental insurance before the year ends.
Annual Maximums
No matter what type of dental insurance plan you have, it is most likely that you’ll have an annual maximum that you’ll need to keep in mind when planning for more extensive procedures. The annual maximum essentially means it is the allotted amount the dental insurance company agrees to pay within one calendar year, no more. Anything that is above this specific number is your responsibility.
If you’ve yet to use any of the benefits available to you in your dental plan, don’t expect them to roll over because they won’t. It is a “use it or lose it” type of set up, so whether you’re seeing your dentist for a gum grafting procedure or periodontal therapy, it is in your best interest to take advantage of the benefits available to you.
If you discover you are approaching your annual maximum and do not want to pay any out-of-pocket costs, talk to your dental professional about splitting your treatments across calendar years.
Deductibles
You’ve probably heard this word used a lot if you have dental, medical, car, or any other type of insurance. The deductible is what you owe to your dentist before the insurance company agrees to pay for any services. All dental plans are different, which means your colleague or neighbor might pay a different deductible amount than you, but the average is around $50.
When looking at your plan, you’ll notice the deductible for an in-network provider is usually much less than seeing an out-of-network dentist. This is one of the many reasons is it highly encouraged that you seek a professional who has partnered with your insurance company to offer services at a lower rate.
Premiums
Remember, you’re paying for a service or rather a long list of services, so why not use it? Now, we’re not saying you should stop brushing and flossing your teeth in order to have periodontal treatment, but if a problem does arise, don’t put it off. The premium that you pay every month opens you up to access your benefits, so just like your annual maximum, it is in your best interest to take care of any oral health problems before they worsen.
Worsening Dental Problems
Should you decide to avoid seeing a dentist for any problems you might be having, this can result in extensive and expensive treatments. Not only will you be more likely to spend more than your annual maximum allows, but apart from the money spent, your visits to the dentist will be much more frequent due to the efforts that will be made to save your teeth and gums.
It is always best to catch problems in their early stages, or better yet before they arise. Don’t let your dental insurance benefits go to waste. Take advantage of this unique program you are paying into each month because when the clock strikes midnight on January 1, everything is reset, and you start anew.
About the Practice
At Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, P.C., we are specialists in periodontal care. Dr. David Handsman and Dr. Todd Jenny want all patients to feel welcome and comfortable when entering through our doors. Our team will work hard to help you maximize your dental insurance benefits because we know that when it comes to oral health, it can be costly. Apart from accepting various insurance plans, we also offer extended payment services through CareCredit. To learn more, contact us at (508) 753-5444.
