To those who are unfamiliar with the insurance world, medical and dental insurance may seem interchangeable. They both involve monthly premiums and insurance cards, and both qualify for health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) money. But why are they separate?
Upon closer inspection, you’ll find at least two differences between medical and dental insurance you should know. Otherwise, you could end up leaving your share of $1 billion of unclaimed benefit money going to the dental insurance companies! Keep reading to learn these distinctions and how you can use dental insurance to your advantage.
Difference #1: Dental Insurance Focuses on Prevention.
In some cases, a medical problem works itself out. With a cold or the flu, for instance, your body may eventually fight off the virus, and you can get better without having to visit the doctor. In contrast, dental problems are never solved on your own. Unfortunately, once a problem like gum disease or a cavity has developed, it will only get worse with time. It doesn’t heal without professional treatment. As a result, it’s smart to simply stop oral issues before they start.
Medical insurance sometimes kicks in more after a problem has been found. When it comes to dental concerns, insurance companies devote most of their coverage to prevention. The fact is it is cheaper for both insurance and patients to avoid issues entirely than to treat existing problems. In fact, a study conducted by the University of Illinois Chicago estimated that for every dollar spent on prevention patients saved between $8 and $50!
Difference #2: Dental Insurance Has a Yearly Maximum.
Medical insurance plans typically don’t come with a yearly maximum, or top limit of insurance money that you have available annually, which is why patients can be surprised to find out that dental insurance policies do. This amount usually comes to $1,500, a relatively small sum compared to the cost of restorations and more advanced treatments.
How to Maximize Your Dental Insurance Benefits
If you want to take full advantage of your insurance dollars, you should use your benefits that receive the most coverage—preventive services. Because most dental insurance plans pay for all or the majority of the cost of two professional cleanings and checkups per calendar year, you should have these appointments regularly.
Should you require additional restorations or services, keep track of the amount you use of your available funds so that you don’t go over the yearly maximum. Your dental team can help you stay on track and get the most value from your coverage.
In the end, you don’t have to know all the nitty-gritty details of insurance to know how to take advantage of your dental benefits. Understanding these differences can help you save and use your insurance money wisely as well as keep your smile healthy and strong.
About the Practice
Williamsburg Dental has six locations situated throughout the Lincoln area. As a family practice, we are insurance friendly, and our front desk teams can help you understand your benefits and help you save as much as possible. Although our dentists have the training and clinical experience to treat complex oral problems, we encourage patients to receive regular preventive care to maximize savings. If you are a new patient, contact one of our offices online to schedule an appointment.