Don’t Throw Away Your Dental Insurance Money!

Would you buy concert tickets and then purposefully not go? Would you purchase food from a grocery store, and then immediately throw it all away? Of course not. Every month this year, you’ve paid dental insurance premiums, but if you haven’t taken advantage of covered services, you are putting money directly in the insurance company’s pocket. What a waste!

So how do you take full advantage of your insurance benefits? Take these steps!

Get Two Dental Cleanings and Checkups Every Year

Almost universally, dental insurance plans completely cover the fees for two dental cleanings and examinations per calendar year. As a result, you could pay nothing out of pocket for this essential care.

During these preventive visits, plaque buildup is removed, stopping cavities before they damage your teeth. Taking advantage of these covered services is one of the best ways to get the most value out of your insurance benefits.

Get Treated Soon

If you have an issue such as a cavity developing already, this regular appointment also gives you an opportunity to catch it as early as possible through less invasive and less expensive treatment. The worse a problem becomes, the less insurance pays toward your bill.

While minor restorative work such as a filling is about 70 to 80 percent covered by your insurance policy, it will only pay about 50 percent of the total cost for more major work like a dental crown.

Be Strategic with Your Annual Maximum

Although early intervention is usually the smartest choice financially, you should also keep in mind that most dental insurance plans come with a limited amount of money they’ll pay out in a given year. This amount is usually between $1,000 and $1,500. Once your insurance has met that maximum, you’re responsible for paying for everything else.

If you have quite a bit of dental work to get done toward the end of the year, you and your dental team can take full advantage of two yearly maximums. For example, if you need multiple crowns, you may be able to strategically time receiving these restorations in a way that insurance picks up more of the tab.

Talk to Your Dental Team

Details in dental insurance change all the time, but chances are you don’t have the time or desire to stay on top of them. Fortunately, your dental team does! They can explain ways to maximize your dollars, and you can work with them and benefit from their knowledge of insurance.

Before the end of the year, make sure you’ve used dental insurance benefits you’re entitled to. Otherwise, you’re deepening the pockets of insurance companies. Instead, use the money you’ve already paid toward keeping your smile healthy and strong.

About the Practice

The highly trained and experienced dentists at Applegate Dental are proud to be in-network with most PPO dental insurance plans, including Cigna, Delta Dental Guardian, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MetLife, and more. If you have benefits questions or would like to take advantage of your available benefits before the end of the year, we invite you to contact us for an immediate appointment online or by calling our West Seneca office at 716-712-5301.