You pay for it every month and you know it’s important, but do you know how to make the most out of your dental insurance? Many people don’t fully understand their benefits, which can lead them to avoiding, delaying, or overpaying for their dental care. Thankfully, understanding your dental insurance isn’t as difficult as it may appear! Your Lawrenceville dentist shares five tips to maximize your coverage and save money.
1.) Understand the Difference Between Co-Payments and Coinsurance
These two terms may sound very similar, but they work very differently. Your co-pay is a flat fee that you’ll pay each time you visit your dentist. On the other hand, coinsurance is the percentage of a specific treatment you’ll be responsible paying for. For example, if your plan includes 20% coinsurance for fillings, that means your insurance company will pay 80% of the cost of your treatment and you will be billed the remaining 20%.
2.) Keep in Mind What Your Annual Maximum and Deductible Are
Your annual maximum is the most your insurance will pay for your dental care within the year. It’s a good idea to use up as much of your annual maximum as you can before it expires when you renew your dental insurance policy.
Your deductible is how much you need to pay out of pocket for your dental treatments before your insurance policy will begin to cover them with your annual maximum. While you can choose plans that only require you to pay for a small deductible, these often offer smaller maximum annuals as well.
3.) Remember that “Out of Network” Doesn’t Mean “Out of Coverage”
If a dental practice has agreed to your insurance provider’s fees for treatment plans, it’s considered “in-network.” Visiting an in-network dentist offers the most cost-effective dental care. However, you can still choose to visit an “out of network” provider for treatment—your dental insurance may simply cover less of their care.
4.) Always Ask for a “Pre-Determination” of Benefits
If you’re receiving care that goes above and beyond a routine checkup, ask your dentist to send a “pre-determination” of benefits to your insurance company. Your insurance providers will process the estimate and send back a statement that breaks down what parts of your treatment they’ll cover and in what amounts. This lets you know exactly what to expect when it’s time to pay for your procedure.
5.) Don’t Let Your Dental Checkups Go to Waste
Visiting your dentist twice a year for routine dental checkups and cleanings is the best way to spot and stop issues as early as possible. Not only does this save you hassle and discomfort later on, but it prevents the need to pay for more complex and expensive treatments. Nearly every dental insurance policy covers 90-100% of two preventive visits every year, so make sure to take advantage of them!
Each dental insurance policy is slightly different, so you’ll need to go over the details of your specific plan to fully understand what it covers. Your Lawrenceville dentist and their experienced team would be happy to help you review your insurance and make the most out of your benefits!
About the Practice
At Transforming Smiles in Lawrenceville, GA, the gentle dental care provided by Dr. Bruce Carter and his team is evident in every aspect of their practice. From their patient amenities to their advanced dental technologies, they are focused on meeting your unique smile needs and expectations. They have years of experience helping their patients understand their dental insurance and make excellent oral health care as affordable as possible. If you have questions about your dental insurance, they can be contacted via their website or at (770) 995-7616.