During this time of the year, many people are preparing for the holidays and working tirelessly to complete any unfinished business. A local dentist says there’s something else that should be at the top of their list of priorities, though: to get in for a visit. Otherwise, they run the risk of wasting their dental insurance and enduring a host of unnecessary dental health issues. Continue reading to find out why there is such an urgency to take action now, and how patients can save money by being more proactive!
A Time-Sensitive Matter
For most dental insurance plans, coverage renews on January 1st, 2020. Thus, any benefits from the previous year that go unused will be lost. The good news, though, is that by getting in for a visit before the year ends, any unfinished dental work can be completed. This is especially important for patients who’ve already met their yearly deductible (usually around $50), as their benefits can immediately be applied to any eligible dental treatment.
This is also an excellent time to get in for the first visit of the year. Therefore, patients can kick-off the new year with a fresh start to their oral health.
How the Typical Plan is Structured
The most common type of dental plan is the 100-80-50 structure. The following explains the coverage ratios:
- Preventive – To experience the best oral health possible and to avoid the need for complex dental treatments, it’s a must to visit a dentist for cleanings and checkups semi-annually. With most dental insurance plans, at least one of these visits will be completely covered.
- Basic – Procedures like fillings and root canals generally fall under the classification of basic care, and dental insurance will typically cover up to 80% of the cost.
- Major – A more complex form of treatment like the placement of a dental crown is usually considered to be major care, with dental insurance covering up to 50% of the cost.
The moral to the story here is that one can never go wrong by being proactive and visiting a dentist for preventive care. In doing so, many mishaps can be side-stepped and patients can get far more value from their dental insurance.
A Window of Opportunity is Open
Whether you need to step-up your oral hygiene habits or you have dental work that needs to be completed, there is no time like the present to take action. By contacting a local dentist to schedule a visit today, you can end the year on a positive note, save some money and have the peace-of-mind of knowing that your oral health is up to par!
About the Author
Dr. Christopher Lam is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. As a husband and father, he understands how valuable dental insurance is for the entire family. Thus, Dr. Lam encourages his patients to take full advantage of their benefits by getting in for a visit at Texas Dentistry. He can be reached for more information through his website.