4 Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of Dental Insurance

With dental insurance, you pay a premium every month in exchange for benefits that make it easier to pay for oral health care. But are you getting your money’s worth? If you don’t use your benefits before they reset, you could potentially be leaving a lot of dental dollars on the table. Here are 4 tips that can help you maximize dental insurance benefits.

1. Keep Up with Your Regular Dental Appointments

Most dental insurance plans cover two dental checkups and cleanings a year. These biannual appointments give dentists a chance to find and treat cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues in their earliest stages. Taking care of the little things now can prevent them from turning into complex problems later; this means you can use your insurance benefits to take care of your teeth while also reducing the chances of needing more costly care in the future.

2. Schedule Restorative Treatments as Soon as You Can

If you already have an injured or decayed tooth, it’s best to have it treated as soon as possible before the damage gets any worse. Most insurance plans follow a structure where they provide 70% to 80% coverage for minor restorative care (such as fillings) but only 50% coverage for major restorative care (such as root canal therapy). Waiting too long to address the problem could significantly raise your out-of-pocket costs.

3. Be Strategic About Scheduling Major Procedures

Major dental procedures that require multiple visits may end up costing more than your annual maximum. It’s a good idea to schedule longer procedures based on when your benefits reset. For example, if your plan resets at the end of the year, you can schedule part of the procedure in 2022, then have the remaining appointments done in 2023. That way, you won’t be limited by just one year’s annual maximum.

4. If You Have an FSA, Use It

An FSA (Flexible Spending Account) is a special account set aside by your employer to help you pay for healthcare expenses, including dentistry. Typically, FSAs expire at the end of the year, so it’s important to use the money in the account while it’s still available. By combining your FSA with your dental insurance benefits, you can significantly reduce the amount you’re paying for dental care out of pocket.

Are you not sure that you’re getting the absolute most out of your benefits? Feel free to talk to the team at your dental practice during your next appointment. They’re used to working with all kinds of dental insurance plans, and they’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about your coverage. Be proactive when it comes to saving money on your dental care!

About the Practice

At Souris Valley Dental Group, we’re proud to have five talented expert dentists in one location so that we can meet all of our patients’ oral health needs. Our practice is happy to accept a wide variety of dental plans, and we’ll work closely with you to make sure that you get the benefits that you deserve. To schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (701) 852-5595.