If you have dental insurance, you may be wondering how you can make the most of your policy, particularly since most dental insurance policies “roll over” on January 1st. Here are a few tips from Sarasota Bay Dental that will help you get more from your dental insurance policy.
Almost all dental insurance policies cover the cost of two teeth cleanings and oral exams per year, as well as one set of yearly x-rays. Depending on your policy, treatments like fluoride treatments and dental sealants may also be covered.
If you don’t see the dentist twice a year, you’re leaving money on the table. So make sure you make the most of your dental insurance policy and keep your teeth healthy by visiting Dr. Miller twice a year for preventive dental care in Sarasota.
While this depends on your policy, most dental insurance policies pay using a “100-80-50” scheme. This means that preventive care, such as teeth cleanings, is 100% covered. Basic dental procedures like fillings and root canals are 80% covered, meaning you pay 20% of the cost of treatment. Major dental treatments like crowns or bridges are 50% covered, meaning you pay 50% of the cost of treatment and insurance covers the other half.
This can vary depending on your policy, so make sure you know how much you’ll pay, which treatments are covered, and how each treatment is categorized. This will help you budget for dental care accordingly.
Though some dental plans don’t have a deductible, most do. This can be $25, $50, or as high as $250 or more depending on the plan.
This functions the same way as a deductible for standard health insurance. You will have to pay out-of-pocket until you reach your deductible, at which point your dental insurance will kick in and start covering your costs.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to plan your dental care so that you and your family meet your deductible and take advantage of your benefits. Scheduling fillings and other appointments before the end of the year means you’ll be more likely to hit your deductible and maximize your benefits.
Most dental policies also have an annual maximum benefit of between $1,000 to $1,500. This is the amount that your policy will pay toward your care in a given year.
There are some situations where you can get around this by scheduling treatment in two different years. For example, if you know you’re close to reaching your annual maximum benefit, you can get a root canal in December then get a filling in January of the following year. This ensures you don’t exceed your yearly benefits.
Dr. Robert Miller is an experienced preventive dentist, and we accept most major dental insurance policies at our office. At Sarasota Bay Dental, you can make the most out of your dental insurance and get the dental care you need without breaking the bank. Contact us online or give us a call at (941) 200-3723 to get started.
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