Male dentist, his assistant and female patient in dental practice
As you crisscross town shopping for ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner or buying early Christmas presents, scheduling an appointment with a dentist in Fort Worth may not be near the top of your to-do list. However, waiting until 2020 for your next dental visit will likely mean losing out on some of your hard-earned dental insurance benefits! Why? Most dental insurance plans reset at the beginning of every year, with any unused benefits returning to the insurance company’s pocket. Don’t let your hard-earned money go to waste! Here is how to maximize your dental insurance benefits before the end of the year.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
First, a quick glance at what exactly dental insurance covers. While details vary among different insurance plans, most provide some combination of the following:
- Preventive Care – Biannual checkups, X-rays and professional cleanings are usually covered 100%
- Basic Services – Basic services, such as fillings and simple extractions are often covered 80%
- Major Procedures – Major restorative care, such as root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures and more are typically covered at 50%.
Schedule a 2nd Checkup and Cleaning
One simple way to take advantage of your dental insurance benefits is to schedule a dental checkup before the end of the year. Even if you have already had your teeth checked earlier this year, you should consider going back. The American Dental Association states that getting two checkups and cleanings each year is an essential part of maintaining a healthy smile. Moreover, most dental insurance plans fully cover two checkups per year – so your second visit likely won’t cost you anything!
Don’t Waste Your Deductible
Getting minor dental work done before the end of the year can be a smart move financially – especially if you have already met your annual deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out-of-pocket before your dental insurance benefits kick in.
Deductibles typically reset at the beginning of the year, so if you have already met your 2019 deductible but have insurance benefits remaining, now is the time to get that filling, crown, or other smile repair you have been considering. If you wait until the calendar flips over, you will have to pay your new deductible when pursuing a procedure that you could get for less money now.
Change on the Horizon
One last word of warning: dental insurance plans can change significantly from year to year. Your current premiums, deductibles and other benefits could look a lot different in 2020! So, if you are happy with your current coverage, take advantage of it now by scheduling an appointment with a dentist in Fort Worth.
Take care of both your teeth and your wallet this fall by maximizing your remaining dental insurance benefits. Doing so is sure to put a smile on your face heading into the coming year!
About the Author
Dr. Jasmine Coleman King is proud to serve the Fort Worth community by providing quality, affordable dental care. She is in-network with most major PPOs and her team at Summer Creek Dentistry will happily help patients understand their insurance benefits. Patients new and old can get the dental care they need before the end of the year by visiting the Summer Creek Dentistry website or calling Dr. King at 817-292-7488.