Have you taken full advantage of your dental PPO plan this year? Most patients let their insurance benefits reset at the end of the year without meeting the annual maximum, but by seeing receiving dental treatment now, you could be saving money in the long run. Take the time to review your plan and see how scheduling an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in Harrisonburg could be good for your bank account.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
Different insurance carriers offer different benefits, so it’s important to review your plan to see what will be covered, especially if you’re seeing an out-of-network dentist. Most of the time, preventive treatments – which includes checkups, cleanings and annual X-rays – will receive the most coverage; this means that at minimum, you should be making at least two appointments for preventive care each year if you want to maximize your benefits. Dental insurance will also partly pay for basic procedures (such as fillings and root canals) and major procedures (such as crowns and bridges) that are meant to restore the health of your teeth.
Why Should You Use Your Insurance Benefits Before They Expire?
If you haven’t had your biannual checkups yet or if you’re expecting to undergo some kind of dental procedure in the near future, there are several good reasons to use your dental benefits now instead of waiting for them to reset next year:
- Most plans have a yearly maximum on what they’ll pay for dental work within a year, and any leftover money doesn’t carry over to the next year; it’s a good idea to take advantage of what’s available to you now before you lose it.
- Your deductible (the amount you need to pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in) will reset with the rest of your benefits. It’s more economical to have necessary treatments done now before you need to pay the deductible again.
- There’s a chance that your dentist will raise their fees next year, increasing the amount that you have to pay out of pocket. It’s generally better to make an appointment with the current rates in mind.
- In general, it’s better for your oral health to have problems treated as soon as possible. The longer you wait to address cavities or gum disease, the more severe they become, which usually leads to more costly treatment.
If you’re not sure what you can use your dental insurance benefits for, talk to your dentist in Harrisonburg and ask about possible treatments that might protect your oral health in the long run; you should also double-check to see how their suggestions would be covered by your insurance plan. Do your homework to figure out the most cost-effective way to keep your healthy smile gleaming!
About the Practice
At Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our dentists, Drs. Mario DeNicola, Monisha Khanna and Douglas Wright, work together to make sure every patient has a healthy smile that looks and feels good. We can file claims for dental insurance on your behalf to help you maximize your benefits. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (540) 432-6616.