5 Ways to Maximize Your Benefits
Many people have dental insurance, but they may not know how to use it in a way that provides them with the greatest possible value. Others never purchase dental insurance because they feel like it is not a wise use of their funds. This page discusses how to use your dental insurance in Plano. When you take full advantage of your policy, you’ll discover that it is a truly worthwhile investment!
Don’t Neglect Preventive Care
Dental insurance plans place a heavy emphasis on preventive care. In fact, most of them cover routine exams, cleanings, and X-rays at 100%. Therefore, you’ll likely be able to get the essential basic care you need for no more than your plan’s monthly premium. If you do not attend two checkups and cleanings each year, you’re basically letting your insurance benefits go to waste. Plus, these preventive checkups allow your dentist Plano to catch any problems while they are still in their early stages, before they require extensive treatment that your insurance may only cover a small portion of.
Be Smart About Scheduling
Most dental insurance plans come with an annual maximum, which is the most that the insurance company will pay out for treatment within a calendar year. If your dentist recommends that you undergo a certain procedure, but it will exceed your annual maximum, ask if it is possible to schedule the treatment for the next year, after your maximum resets. Or, you may be able to schedule major treatments across multiple appointments between calendar years.
Get a Pre-treatment Review
You don’t want to face any unpleasant surprises when the time comes to pay for your treatment. That’s why you should ask the folks at your dentist’s office to verify your coverage before you commit to any procedure. Then, you’ll be certain of how your policy does or does not apply in your unique situation.
Some policies include least expensive alternative treatment (LEAT) approach, which only provides coverage for the least expensive treatment that will meet your needs. However, you should not let a LEAT clause stop you from getting the high-quality care you deserve. If your policy doesn’t cover a particular procedure, the staff in your dentist’s office can help you explore alternative ways to pay.
Plan for Emergencies
Familiarize yourself with your insurance plan’s network policies. If you are on vacation when you face a dental emergency, will you be able to use your policy at any dentist, or must you visit an in-network care provider? You might also ask your regular dentist in Plano for a referral to another oral healthcare professional who can help you when your own dentist is on vacation or otherwise unreachable.
Get to Know Your Coverage
The more you learn about your policy’s scope of coverage, co-pays, waiting periods, and other fine print, the better you’ll be able to plan for your oral healthcare. If you have questions about the details of your plan, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Independence Dental. Dr. Bhalla is in-network with many PPO dental plans, and we’re happy to help you figure out how your dental insurance works in Plano even if we are an out of network provider for you. Our aim is to help you enjoy a healthy smile and minimize your stress over the financial aspect of dentistry.