More than half of the country currently has some form of dental insurance, and if this includes you, something you may not know is that your benefits will likely reset at the beginning of next year. If you’re looking to save as much as you can on your dental care, then an easy way to do that is simply schedule a dentist appointment before January 1st. If you have dental insurance, here are 4 ways you’ll save money by making an appointment right now.
1. Annual Maximums
An annual maximum is the most money a dental insurance plan will pay for your care within one year. This amount varies from plan to plan, but it tends to average out to about $1,000 per person, per year. If you have not met this maximum yet, once the new year arrives, that leftover money will not rollover. It will simply go back to the insurance company and you will have missed out on hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in savings.
2. Deductibles
A deductible is the amount of money you need to pay out of pocket before your insurance will cover anything. If you’ve already met your deductible this year but haven’t maxed out your coverage yet, then you can still save on your dental care. At the beginning of next year, however, you will have to pay your deductible again in order to access your benefits, even if you still had some leftover from 2017.
3. Premiums
Premiums are the money you pay each month for your dental insurance plan. In short, if you’re paying for a plan, you should use it! Dental insurance is intended to cover standard preventive care to help you avoid developing dental problems in the first place, and by just getting your two checkups and cleanings each year, your plan will likely pay for itself.
4. Dental Problems Can Worsen
Many dental problems start with very subtle symptoms that are easy for a regular person to miss, which is why preventive appointments are so important. By coming in for a checkup and cleaning before the end of the year, you could be giving your dentist the opportunity to fix a problem before it requires a more expensive treatment that your insurance will cover less. And, as we just mentioned, it’s likely that your plan will completely cover this appointment as well, saving you money in two distinct ways.
The end of the year is a busy time for everyone, but by simply taking care of your teeth and getting the most out of your dental insurance, you’ll be taking care of your health, your wallet, and giving yourself one less thing to worry about as things get more hectic.
If you have any questions about your benefits, be sure to read over your policy or call your insurance provider. You’ll probably be surprised by how much coverage you have left. After that, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist–your bank account and your smile will thank you later!
About Evergreen Dental Group
Evergreen Dental Group consists of a team of doctors dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care at a high level that is always affordable for the average family. Thanks to their “everything under one roof” approach, Evergreen families always know exactly where to go to take care of their teeth. If you have any questions about the article that you just read, we’d be happy to answer them. To get in contact with us, you can call (303) 674-5566 or send an email to reception@evergreendentalgroup.com.