Dental insurance makes it easy to maintain good oral health and keep a bright smile at a lower cost. However, many people don’t use their plans as often as they should. Thus, leading to lost opportunities to keep a great smile and spend less on dental costs.
A survey by the NADP revealed that only 2% to 6% of Americans with dental insurance reach or exceed their plans annual benefit maximum. That means over 90% of PPO dental plan holders are not making the most out of their privileges of having such benefits.
While dental anxiety keeps some patients from visiting the dentist, misconceptions about the cost of dental services is a leading reason why many people don’t use their insurance plan wisely.
According to a 2017 study of Lincoln Financial Group, half of the employees with a corporate-sponsored dental insurance plan feel their employers don’t provide enough information about what services are covered by their plan.
If you’re not making the most of your dental benefits or generally don’t visit the dentist because of dental anxiety, you’re actually taking risks without knowing it. Regular dental visits can help prevent and detect early signs of gum disease, oral cancer, cavities, and other serious dental conditions.
Leaving your teeth and gums unchecked can lead to higher costs of restorative dental services down the road.
Understanding your dental insurance
Every insurance company has a unique set of policies for their dental plans. If your plan is sponsored by your employer, some of the dental plan features and coverage are likely unfamiliar to you. Unless your HR can give you a sound explanation about the dental insurance, you can directly ask your insurance provider. Doing so can help you have a more detailed understanding of the coverage and insurance policies of your dental plan. Most dental plans fall into one of the following categories: HMO, PPO, and indemnity (fee-for-service). Here’s what each type of insurance means and how it works:- HMO (Health Maintenance Organization plans): An HMO plan covers your dental care cost as long as you see dentists within the HMO company’s network. Consulting dentists out of their network means you will have to pay for your dental costs.
- PPO (Preferred provider organization plans): A PPO plan covers the customer’s dental care cost whether they consult an in-network dentist or not. This plan is much more flexible than HMOs, but the coverage is lower for out-of-network dental practitioners.
- Indemnity (fee-for-service) plans: Indemnity plans allow you to pick any dental provider and cover a certain percentage of the dental cost. With indemnity plans, you get flexibility and a higher coverage limit, but the monthly/yearly premium is higher.
Annual maximum
An annual maximum is the dollar amount that a dental plan will pay for your dental care every year. The value of the annual maximum in every dental plan varies with each provider. However, the standard average value is $1,000 – $2000. That means that you will shoulder the exceeding costs beyond your annual maximum. For example, if you have a $1000 annual maximum and decide to get a $3,000 to $5,000-worth Invisalign treatment (depending on your condition), you have to pay for the difference. In such cases, you can explore other financing solutions like in-house membership plans by dental practices. At Radiant Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our Dental Savings Plan in Pineville includes a $500 discount for Invisalign treatment. Contact us to learn more about the features of our savings plan.Validity period
A dental plan typically expires after 12 months. Most insurance providers use a traditional calendar year, while other insurance companies use a fiscal calendar year. The standard dental insurance(12 months) expires at the end of the year, while dental insurance following a fiscal calendar could run from July to August next year. If your plan runs on a traditional calendar year, take advantage of the close gap between renewals and spend less on expensive dental services like an Invisalign treatment.Why should you use your dental benefits before the end of 2020?
If you haven’t used your dental insurance yet and it follows a traditional calendar year, you’re missing your chance to save money and improve your oral health. Here’s why:- Insurance premiums are non-refundable. Whether you or your company funds your dental plan, the insurance company will collect a fixed premium every year. Insurance premiums are non-refundable, so when you’re not using your benefits, you’re not just giving up the chance to maintain healthy teeth and gums, but you’re losing money too.
- A simple dental condition can turn into a more serious medical condition. By delaying preventative dental care, you’re at risk of developing a major dental disease in the future. The worst thing about dental diseases is they can become irreversible and can be associated with various health conditions such as heart disease. Addressing the small dental problems early on keeps you away from risking your health and shoulder more expensive treatments in the future.
- Dental fees increase every year. In the past decade, the cost of medical care has increased steadily year over year. Going by this trend, the cost of dental care can also increase in 2021. So, using your dental care now is a practical and cost-effective decision. If you need an affordable and highly-rated dentist in Pineville and South Charlotte, visit Radiant Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. We provide comprehensive dental services including:
Importance of dental insurance
Not everyone has the luxury to enjoy discounted dental services through dental insurance. Having a dental insurance plan is a blessing but using it well is another level of being wise. Not only in spending but also in treating your health as your wealth. Here are the benefits that you will get when you maximize your dental insurance:- Dental cost savings – Dental care is expensive, especially for some complicated dental conditions. Thanks to insurance policies, dental care services can be available at a fraction of the cost. Insurance companies and dental practices with in-house memberships provide different types of plans at a price point that anyone can afford to ease the financial burden of oral care.
- It helps you develop dental care habits. – Studies show that people with dental insurance are more likely to visit the dentist than uninsured consumers. Dental insurance gives patients the confidence to receive dental care services due to discounts and even have 100% coverage. Thus, it’s easier for a patient to build a dental care routine without worrying about high dental expenses.
Conclusion
Learning more about your dental insurance is a crucial step in using your coverage wisely. If you have dental insurance, it can also become more convenient for you to make dental consultations a part of your dental care routine. Keeping healthy teeth and gums not only improves your oral health but also boosts your confidence and the quality of your life. Radiant Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is in partnership with several insurance companies and provides a Dental Savings Plan in Pineville and South Charlotte. If you want affordable dental care and VIP treatment, check out the features of our dental savings plan:- FREE consultations
- NO annual maximums
- NO deductibles
- NO claim forms
- NO pre-authorization requirements
- NO health questions
- NO pre-existing condition limitations
- NO one will be denied coverage
- NO waiting periods (immediate eligibility)
