An alarming statistic has recently been released: only 2.8% of people with dental insurance max out their coverage by the end of the year. That means they are leaving money on the table and missing out on the vital dental care they could be receiving. Your dentist in Hutchinson says to avoid being a part of this large majority, there is a simple and important step you can take. Learn what it is and how your dental insurance works as you read further!
How is Dental Insurance Classified?
For most insurance companies, the coverage classifications are as follows:
- Preventive Care – Most carriers will cover up to 80-100% of your preventive care costs, which includes semi-annual check-ups, X-Rays and cleanings.
- Basic Care – Treatments like dental fillings and root canals are considered to be basic procedures, and most insurance companies will cover between 50-80% of the costs.
- Major Care – More complex procedures like a dental crown placement or tooth extraction fall under the umbrella of major dental work and will leave you responsible for 50% of the costs.
Why Preventive Care Visits are So Important
One reason that preventive care visits are vital is they allow you to maximize your dental insurance since, in most cases, they are fully covered. These visits are exponentially important for you to attend because they allow your dentist to check for any signs of impending dental problems and provides an opportunity to nip them in the bud before they develop into greater issues.
These visits also leave you with professionally cleaned teeth. Thus, you won’t have to worry about harmful plaque and tartar leading to serious oral health issues later on.
So a visit that generally won’t cost anything but a little effort, will save you tons of time, money and prevent unnecessary suffering.
Don’t Waste Your Dental Insurance
Taking advantage of preventive care opportunities is one of the best ways to protect your oral health and get the most out of your dental insurance. Thus, before the year ends, it’s vital that you schedule a visit. That’s because your insurance coverage will renew at the start of the new calendar year, and any remaining benefits from the previous year will be lost.
The next step is to contact your local dentist to schedule a visit. By doing so, you’ll close the year on a upbeat oral health note, and you’ll be able to carry the positive momentum into the next 12 months!
About the Author
Dr. Grant Ringler earned his D.D.S. degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry and has been providing the Hutchinson community with expert care for the last 30 years. Along the way, he has continued to learn more by taking continuing education courses in several areas, including endodontics, cosmetic dentistry, oral sedation and several other modalities. Dr. Ringler provides comprehensive care to his patients at his private practice, and he can be reached for more information through his website.