Dental Insurance is one of those things that many people take for granted. They might use it only for emergencies, or perhaps they only occasionally attend a checkup. But if that is all you are doing with your insurance, you are putting both your oral health and your money at risk! A dentist in Orlando is here to talk about how you can use your dental insurance to the full, both at the end of 2019 and on into next year.
BENEFITS EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31
If you have a PPO dental plan, it likely comes with an annual maximum, which is the most that your insurance provider will pay out for approved treatments within a calendar year. Usually, that maximum is somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500. If any of that money remains unused on December 31, poof! It is gone forever. The vast majority of plans have no rollover provision.
Very few people meet or exceed their annual maximum; according to the National Association of Dental Plans, less than 3 percent of people with PPO plans do so. That amounts to countless benefits dollars lost every year. Of course, that does not mean you should ask for dental treatment you do not need just for the sake of using your plan. But you should be diligent about keeping up with any treatment that your dentist recommends.
DON’T NEGLECT PREVENTIVE CARE
Did you know that most PPO dental plans cover two preventive visits each year at 100 percent? That means you could see your dentist for a thorough exam and refreshing cleaning at zero out-of-pocket cost. Plus, these appointments will alert you to any developing oral health problems. If you need a filling or other minor treatment, you may still have time to use this year’s dental insurance to get it taken care of.
Your diligence with preventive care may save you a ton of money. In fact, according to Dr. James Stephens, president of the California Dental Association, every dollar spent on preventive services saves $50 on more complicated procedures down the road.
PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR
You can start planning your dental care for next year right now. For example, if you need a major procedure that will take multiple dental appointments, you might be able to split it up between this year and next so you can use two annual maximums rather than one.
You can also get in touch with your insurance provider to find out if and how much your policy will be changing in 2020. Your premium, covered services, and other details might get adjusted from year to year. Knowing about such things puts you in a good position to plan well for your future dental care.
Are you using your dental benefits to the full? Your smile and your wallet will benefit when you make the effort to get the greatest value possible out of your policy.
ABOUT US
Drs. Ziyad Maali and May Chen lead the team at Sand Lake Dental. They understand the financial concerns of patients and are thus happy to accept payment from practically any PPO plan. Our practice is even in-network with several major insurance providers. To learn how we can help you maximize your benefits, Contact Us at 407-255-2391.
