When it comes to keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape, routine visits to your dentist are paramount. Fortunately, dental insurance can help make everything from preventive care to complex restorative procedures affordable! Unfortunately, few patients are truly familiar with what they can do to maximize their coverage and save money. With this in mind, a dentist in Stephens City is sharing three tips to help use it before you lose it!
#1. Prioritize Prevention
To keep your oral health in pristine condition, prevention is paramount. In fact, the Journal of Dental Medicine reported that every dollar invested in preventive care can save you between $8 and $50 on cosmetic and restorative treatment in the long run! Fortunately, dental insurance plans are centered around preventing problems before they arise, which is why they often include 100-80-50 coverage. This structure means 100% of preventive care, 80% of minor procedures, and 50% of major treatments are covered. So, to properly utilize your benefits (and save money!), make sure to visit your dentist biannually for a routine exam and professional cleaning.
#2. Use It or Lose It
As the end of the year approaches, there is no time like the present to review your dental plan. For example, when do your benefits start over? What is your remaining annual maximum? The answers to these questions can help you utilize your coverage before it resets. If you neglect to visit your dentist or get treatment before that happens, then you will lose those benefits since they don’t carry over. Therefore, make sure to review your dental plan and talk to your insurance provider if you have any questions along the way.
#3. Utilize Your Flexible Spending Account Dollars for Dental Expenses
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is where a portion of an employee’s income is set aside by the employer. If a health-related expense arises, like much-needed dental work, the employee can use this reserve to cover the cost. If you have a FSA through your employer, then make sure to use the remaining dollar amount before the New Year. If you are unsure if you have one, make sure to ask your HR department or your colleague who is in charge of handling your benefits.
If you haven’t visited the dentist this year or you think you need dental work done, there is no time like the present to review your benefits. That way, you can use your coverage before it lapses!
About the Author
Since completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1979, Dr. Thomas A. Gromling has used his extensive education, clinical expertise, and passion for his craft to help patients get the high-quality dental care they deserve. He and his team of insurance experts are dedicated to maximizing benefits, so the cost doesn’t prevent patients from relieving their toothache, restoring their smile, or anything in between. If you want to schedule your bi-yearly appointment before the end of the year, visit his website or give him a call at 540-869-4377.