1. GET TWO TEETH CLEANINGS & ORAL EXAMS EACH YEAR
Almost all dental insurance policies cover the cost of two teeth cleanings and oral exams each year. In most cases, yearly x-rays are also covered, which can help Dr. Daniel Bickel identify potential oral health issues early.
Getting two preventive appointments per year is great for your oral health, since this helps catch issues like gum disease and cavities early, and ensures your mouth is free of these diseases. And since your treatment will be covered by insurance, getting two cleanings per year is a no-brainer!
2. UNDERSTAND YOUR COVERAGE FOR OTHER TREATMENTS
All dental plans are different, but most plans have a 100-80-50 structure. This means that preventive care like teeth cleanings is 100% covered, basic treatments like fillings or root canals are 80% covered, and “major “ treatments like crowns or bridges are 50% covered, which means you’ll pay 50% of the cost out-of-pocket while your plan covers the other 50%.
It’s a good idea to look at your policy closely to understand your own fee structure, as well as which treatments are included in the “basic” and “major” treatment categories. This can vary somewhat depending on the insurer, so knowing what benefits you can get will be helpful as you plan your treatment at Precision Dental.
3. KNOW (AND MEET) YOUR YEARLY DEDUCTIBLE
Deductibles can be as low as $50 or as high as $200, and some plans have even higher deductibles. This is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your benefits begin paying out at the specified rate.
In general, it’s a good idea to meet your yearly deductible whenever you’re getting dental care like fillings or any other major restorative treatments. This ensures that your dental plan is paying for at least part of your treatment, and helps you make the most of your plan.
4. BE AWARE OF YOUR ANNUAL BENEFIT MAXIMUM
Most dental plans also have a yearly “annual benefit maximum.” After you reach this limit, your plan will no longer pay anything toward your dental care. This is usually between $1,000 and $1,500, though some plans have higher limits or no limits, in some cases.
If you reach your annual benefit maximum, it’s sometimes possible to split up your dental treatment so that part of your treatment is done in the next calendar year.
For example, if you need two crowns badly, but you also have an old filling that’s starting to fail, your dentist may recommend that you get two crowns in November or December, then get your filling in January when your benefits roll over.
KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR INSURANCE IN THE NEW YEAR!
Dental insurance is a bit tricky to understand, but with a bit of research and knowledge, you can make sure you get the most out of your policy. Ready to get started with dental care in Redmond? Contact Redmond Art of Dentistry online or call at (425) 386-7599 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Bickel right away.