Did you know that over 65 percent of Americans have visited the dentist at least once in the last year? So, it’s clear that those in the United States are very orally conscious and prioritize oral health. Taking care of your oral health can provide many incredible benefits. Most patients pay next to nothing for these essential dental services with quality dental health insurance.
Today, Advanced Indiana will be discussing five things you probably don’t know about your dental insurance. Not only will we discuss precisely what dental insurance is, but we’ll also clue you in on some valuable information you probably didn’t know.
What is Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance is similar to other types of health insurance. With dental coverage, you pay only a small monthly fee for specific dental care services each calendar year. The exact amount of dental coverage you’ll receive each year depends on how much you can pay towards your dental health care premiums each month.
There are also some other important things you should know about dental insurance. For one, aside from your coverage amount, your “reimbursement levels” and “deductible” are also determined by the overall cost of your plan. A reimbursement level refers to the percentage of dental treatments that insurance providers will cover out of your plan’s maximum and how much you’ll be responsible for paying out of pocket. On the other hand, a deductible is an amount you’ll be expected to meet out of pocket before your dental insurance coverage begins to pay.
Things You Should Know About Dental Insurance
Here is a list of 5 things you should know about dental health coverage to get the most out of your plan.
1. A Lot of Workplace Policies Come With an Allowance For Braces
Braces are an expensive yet often necessary dental service. While orthodontic work is rarely ever covered under a dental plan, it’s helpful to know that many workplace plans have allowances of somewhere between $1,500 and $2,000 for braces. This allowance is similar to a workplace’s HSA plan, with the only difference being that it is only good for one-time use. We highly recommend checking with your employer to see if their insurance plan offers such an allowance, as this can save you a lot of money!
2. Dental Coverage Typically Pays Out More For Certain Treatments
As you do your best to manage co-pays for specific dental treatments, it pays to know that for certain services (such as dental cleanings, checkups, and fillings), your insurance provider is likely to cover nearly all of your costs of treatment. At the same time, it’s a good idea to keep in mind that you’re likely to have to pay a higher portion for other less common services. Some services that may require you to spend more include treatments for chipped or broken teeth and mouthguards.
3. Dental Insurance Plans Have Waiting Periods
When you first acquire dental insurance, you’ll likely be anxious to address your dental needs immediately. Unfortunately, many dental plans have a waiting period which means you’ll have to wait a pre-determined amount of time before your coverage starts. In the case of preventative care, these waiting periods are typically short, if not nonexistent. However, waiting periods can be as long as three months for cosmetic or restorative services. Make sure you’re aware of your plan’s waiting period before scheduling dental services!
4. You Should Always Compare Insurance Providers and Dentists
It pays to have all the facts upfront when selecting a dental plan. Different dental insurance providers charge vastly different prices for coverage. At the same time, dentists can charge very different fees for the same services. To ensure that you’re receiving the best price on your dental services, shop around for the right insurance plan and the dental office offering the best price. By being proactive about finding the best price, you can drastically reduce your dental costs.
5. Coverage Does Not Roll Over
Finally, suppose your dental coverage plan covers two cleanings and two dental health checkups (as is standard for most plans). In that case, it’s essential to realize that you must use these services by the end of the calendar year. These allowances will not roll over to the following year. If you don’t use these allowances, you’ll be wasting free dental care. We highly recommend maximizing the use of your dental plan so that you don’t miss out.
Affordable and Reliable Dental Health Care By Advanced Indiana!
We hope that these valuable tips about getting the most out of your dental insurance coverage have been helpful to you. You can book your next appointment at your local dentist with confidence now that you know these facts. If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable team of dental health experts near you, look no further than Advanced Indiana!
At Advanced Indiana, we offer various dental health services that can have you looking and feeling your best! Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you! You can also get started by requesting an appointment online.
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