How to Maximize Your Dental Insurance Benefits Before Year-End at Seminole Premier Dental
Maximum Dental Insurance
Dental insurance normally comes with a maximum, right? Some insurances have a $1,000 maximum, some of them have $2,000, and some of them have $3,000. Usually, the way it works is you have a small deductible at the beginning of the year. You have to use up your entire $1,000, $2,000, or $3,000 that your provider, your employer, gives you for dental benefits before the end of the year. If you don't use them, it's just gone. When the next year begins, you have new numbers again.
Understanding Dental Needs
I'm not sure what anyone needs for dentistry as far as dental treatment is concerned. Some may need just a cleaning, but some might need a lot of dental work. It's good to know at the beginning of the year what your employment provider gave you as far as dental benefits are concerned. Let's say you have $2,000. Usually, it covers a good crown if you need a cap or a crown in your mouth. Or maybe you need a bunch of extractions or some teeth in the back, so you can get a partial. It's always good to know what your dental benefits are. I would like to know at the beginning of the year and try to use them accordingly. Even if you need nothing and your mouth is pristine clean, you could still use your dental insurance to get dental cleanings, which is very helpful.
Insurance Coverage
You don't know what your dental benefits cover, and neither does the dentist when you go to the dental office. What he would normally do is take your insurance card and run it along with your dental insurance company to see how he could help you best maximize your dental benefits. I really don't want you to be focused on what your dental benefits are going to cover. I'd want you to take care of your mouth regardless. Bring your dental card to the dental practice and let them figure out what will be covered and what will not be covered. At the end of the day, a clean, nice smile is all you're looking for, and that's what you should be focused on.
Finding Out Benefits
Patients can normally find out what their benefits are from their HR people or they can just call the dental insurance company that gave them the dental insurance benefits card and ask what they cover. Most people with dental insurance will be covered for at least two cleanings a year and all basic preventive services. Basic preventive services include things like cleaning, and basic services include things like an extraction and maybe some fillings. Every dental insurance company is different and your benefits can be different. The best way to know is to contact your dental insurance company.
Use It or Lose It
I personally believe patients don't know there's a use-it-or-lose-it policy. They just think the insurance runs forever. No, insurances have a maximum every year, and if you don't use that maximum by the end of the year, it's just gone. Maybe you need no dental work at all, which is great for you. But most of us will need some form of dental treatment at a certain time and age. I prefer you go to the dentist, ask what's wrong, and if something needs to be fixed, use it. If you don't use it, you lose it. You have this money. This money is free. It's sitting with you as a dental benefit card, provided by your provider. Why would you not use it? For me, using something that's free is a no-brainer. I would definitely use it.
Steps to Use Benefits
I would contact my dentist or my dental insurance company to see what benefits I have. Then, call my dentist to see if I could use any of the benefits for the year. The first step to using your benefits is to call your dental insurance carrier. Ask what your maximum is and what kind of coverage you can get with the dental benefits card you have. The next thing you will do is find a dentist that you like. I wouldn't look for someone over a book. I would Google "dentist near me" and see how many reviews they have. Let's say they have like 500 reviews. I would call them to see if they could help you. If you like the people, stick with them. If you like the doctor, definitely stick with them. If you don't like either of them, just find somebody else.
Want to learn more? Call Seminole Premier Dental at (727) 732-2633 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.