Before clicking to buy a toaster or other item online, you spend time researching your options, looking for ways you can get the best deal, and reading reviews. If you invest so much effort and time into decisions for online shopping, your oral health should receive at least the same amount of attention.
Whether you’re purchasing dental insurance on your own or you get benefits through your employer, you have an important decision ahead of you—one that could save you hundreds! Read on to learn three ways you can make sure you get the best value out of your insurance benefits.
Do Your Research
Find out as much information about the plans available to you as possible. In your research, you should compare the monthly premiums, coverage, and other important details. In some cases, a group plan comes at a discounted rate, but in others, individual plans may be more cost effective to cover you and your loved ones.
Understand Your Coverage
Although every insurance plan varies from another in some way, almost all dental policies share the same primary focus—prevention. Routine cleanings and checkups every six months or every year go a long way in avoiding more costly and painful dental emergencies, which is why most plans cover anywhere from 80 to 100 percent of the cost for preventive care.
In the case of minor restorative work, you can expect to pay 20 to 30 percent of the cost of treatment out of pocket. For major procedures and restorations, insurance may pay for roughly half of the total cost. In general, most dental insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures at all, and some plans offer 50 percent coverage for orthodontic care, so you’ll want to confirm this before starting treatment.
Keep Waiting Periods and Yearly Maximums in Mind
Believe it or not, for most insurance plans, certain services are not covered by the policy until after a certain amount of time has transpired. For instance, you may need to wait a year before you’re eligible for orthodontic coverage, full dentures, or gum disease therapy. As a result, if you want to save money on more extensive dental procedures, you’ll need to know when those benefits kick in.
In addition, you’ll want to know the yearly maximum, or total amount that the insurance company will contribute to your oral care costs per annum. It is usually between $1,000 and $1,500, and if you exceed this amount, you are responsible for paying the remaining portion.
By doing these things before you purchase dental insurance, you’ll be able to take advantage of your benefits and potentially enjoy savings on your oral healthcare. That’s a great reason to smile!
About the Practice
Williamsburg Dental is proud to have six locations throughout the Lincoln area. Our eight dentists all emphasize the importance of preventive care and strive to help patients achieve their healthiest smiles. We gladly accept dental insurance and work with you to make treatment affordable. If you would like to make an appointment at one of our offices, you may contact us by clicking here.