How badly would you be kicking yourself if you accidentally misplaced hundreds or thousands of dollars of your hard-earned money? Unfortunately, you may be doing so unintentionally by not utilizing your dental plan to the fullest! The good news is you still have time to prevent that from happening to you this year. To learn how to maximize your dental insurance benefits in 2021, read on!
#1. Schedule Your Second Checkup & Cleaning of 2021
Dental plans vary from patient to patient depending on the agreement between your employer and your provider. However, they usually have one thing in common: an emphasis on preventive care. As a result, most plans include two checkups and cleanings annually. If you skip one, you don’t get an extra one the following year. So, if you don’t have your second visit on the calendar yet, now is the time to schedule it!
#2. Visit an In-Network Provider
Dental insurance coverage is unique in that choosing an out-of-network provider doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be responsible for the entire cost of your care. With that being said, your out-of-pocket expenses will typically be lower when you choose an in-network provider. That’s because they have pre-negotiated rates, ensuring there are no surprise fees when it comes time to pay. In short, visiting an in-network dentist makes your dollars go further.
#3. Don’t Put Off Any Necessary Restorative Treatments
Need a filling, dental crown, or dentures? While your initial reaction may be to put off your treatment until later, that’s the last thing you should do if you have available benefits. Instead of letting those valuable dollars go to waste, schedule your treatment now and put them toward tooth-saving, smile-rebuilding treatments.
#4. Remember, Most Dental Plans Reset on January 1st
As mentioned above, not all dental plans are the same. However, many of them do reset on January 1st. So, you have until then to utilize any remaining benefits you have! If you haven’t scheduled your second dental checkup and cleaning of 2021, start there. Otherwise, you can call your dental insurance provider or dental team. Both parties will be able to help you better understand your coverage, ensuring valuable dollars aren’t left on the table come 2022.
About the Practice
At Seahurst Park Dentistry, Dr. David Thomas and the rest of our phenomenal team want you to have the comfortable, efficient dental care you deserve from the moment you step into our office. Part of making that goal a reality is ensuring the financial component of your treatment is as stress-free as possible. That’s why we are proud to welcome dental insurance and are even in-network with many of the nation’s leading providers, including Cigna, Delta Dental, and MetLife! We’d be happy to help you utilize your remaining benefits, so don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 206-244-4622 to schedule your appointment!
