If your dental insurance plan works on a calendar year, your current benefits will reset at the end of the year. Now that it’s autumn, time’s running out if you want to use your benefits, which can potentially save you hundreds of dollars. Here are 5 reasons to call your dentist in Tracy and set up an appointment to make sure you’re getting the maximum amount of care.
1. The Deductible
Most plans have a deductible amount that needs to be paid out of your pocket before they cover anything. (The exact fee depends on the plan and could be higher if your dentist is out-of-network.) Once your plan resets, you’ll need to pay the deductible again to get the care you need. If you know you’ll need dental work in the near future, it’s better for your bank account to have it done now.
2. The Premiums
Keeping up with your premiums means you’ve already paid for your dental insurance – so it’d be a shame not to use it! Of course, you might not need any particularly out-of-the-ordinary treatment, but at the very least you should have two dental checkups and cleanings each year to help prevent and detect cavities and gum disease; such visits are usually completely covered by insurance.
3. The Yearly Maximum
Your plan most likely has a cap on how much it will pay for dental work within a year, and like the deductible it resets once January rolls around. That means unused benefits won’t rollover. Thus, if you haven’t met the maximum yet, having necessary treatments done now will help you take full advantage of the money that’s currently available.
4. Possible Fee Increase
Your dentist might raise their rates next year depending on the cost of living as well as the materials and equipment necessary to do their jobs. That’ll raise the amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket in addition to what the insurance covers. It’s better to see the dentist with their current rates instead of taking the chance they’ll go up once the new year arrives.
5. Treating Dental Problems Sooner
If you don’t have a cavity treated now, you might need a root canal or even an extraction later. Small dental issues can become major problems that require much more expensive treatments. It is therefore in your best interest, in terms of finances and your general health, to see your dentist in Tracy as soon as you realize there’s something that needs to be addressed.
If you haven’t had your recommended dental checkups yet, schedule them now and ask your dentist if there are any other treatments you could benefit from, then check to see what kind of coverage your plan offers. You’ve earned your insurance benefits, but It’s up to you to make sure you’re getting the most out of them!
About the Author
Dr. Tejdeep (“TJ”) Rattan has over a decade of dental experience and has completed over 500 hours of training all over the world. His practice, Innovo Dental & Implant Studio, is in-network with many different PPO plans and can help file your claims so that you get the full benefits you’re entitled to. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rattan, call 209-207-9076.