Do you have a PPO dental plan? If so, you have numerous benefits at your disposal. Your policy can help you maintain your beautiful smile, and it is there as a safety net in case you ever need major treatment. However, it may be wise to pause and ask yourself if you are truly getting as much value as possible out of your dental insurance. A dentist in Newark is here to discuss some of the basics of how dental insurance works and how you can get the most out of your 2019 benefits before they expire.
Use It or Lose It
PPO plans typically come with an annual maximum, which is the highest dollar amount that the insurance company will pay out for approved services within a calendar year. When the year ends on December 31, any unused benefits expire. That money does not roll over into the following year. According to one estimate from the National Association of Dental Plans, less than 3 percent of people with PPO plans meet or exceed their annual maximum. That amounts to billions of dollars of lost benefits dollars across the U.S. each year!
Tips for Using Your Dental Insurance
Here are a few tips that can help you get more out of 2019’s policy and help you plan to use 2020’s coverage to the full:
- Keep up with preventive care. Most PPO plans allow you to attend two exams and cleanings each year at little to nothing out of pocket. If you have not yet had your second preventive appointment this year, now is the time to schedule it! While you are at your dentist’s office, you can ask them about putting 2020’s checkups on the books so they are less likely to slip your mind.
- Take care of restorative treatment. If you know you have an untreated cavity, or you suspect that you have another type of oral health problem, visit your dentist ASAP. You may still have time to get such issues taken care of using this year’s annual maximum. If you need a major procedure, you might be able to split it up between this year and next so you can use two annual maximums rather than one.
- Ask for advice. The staff at your dentist’s office are used to dealing with a variety of dental insurance plans. They will happily help you understand the specifics of your coverage so you can use it to the full.
Your 2019 dental insurance is about to disappear forever. Your budget and your smile will benefit if you use it while you still have it!
About the Author
Dr. Donald Bond is a family dentist in Newark who provides a broad range of services to folks in our community. Throughout his years of experience, he has learned how to help patients feel at ease — and part of that is helping them afford their treatment. That is why our practice accepts payment from many different dental insurance plans. To learn how we may be able to help you use your coverage, contact us at 302-731-4225.