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We’ve made it through another year and entered a fresh one. You’ve most likely written down or have at least thought of a few new year’s resolutions and goals for 2022. Given the events that have occurred in the last few years, some of your resolutions for 2022 might center around your family’s health. We have some insights that might help with this since now’s the perfect time to start mapping out your health journey for the rest of the year.
Did you know that you could save hundreds or even thousands by simply using your dental insurance? Many people pay for dental insurance through their company’s benefits, yet they neglect to ever use it! According to the National Association of Dental Plans, a mere 2.8% of people with PPO dental plan participants reached or exceeded their plan’s annual maximum. That’s a lot of hard-earned money left on the table!
The great news is that most plans run the calendar year and reset January 1st, so if you start planning to use your insurance now, you can be sure to make good use of it. Here are a few steps you should take to get started:
1. Contact your insurer.
Ask what benefits you have available this year, and also what they will cover beyond preventative care. Once the year is winding down, reach back out to them to verify if any benefits are being cut or reduced in next year’s policy.
2. Call your dentist.
Schedule an appointment for you and any eligible family member, and start putting your benefits to use!
You’ll get the most out of your dental plan when you put it to work on a regular basis. Here are five reasons that will show you why it’s a good idea to get your dental healthcare plan in place now:
1. Yearly Limit.
Most dental plans will cover around $1,000 per person, per year for dental treatments, but once the year ends, these benefits will not rollover into the next year.
2. Deductibles/Premiums.
Most insurance companies have a set dollar amount you have to pay before their coverage kicks in, but once you pay your deductible, it’s good for the whole year, until the next year starts. You’re also paying monthly premiums to help save you money, so start taking advantage of this and use your benefits to save that money, even if it’s just for regular cleanings and check-ups.
3. Fee increases.
Certain treatments could be cut from insurance policies, and prices could increase the next year, so take advantage of what you can now.
4. Avoid having to pay for future dental issues.
Delaying dental care now could lead to more extensive and expensive dental issues in the future. Utilize your dental insurance now by keeping up with your regular dental check-ups to avoid these costly visits in the future.
5. Flexible Spending Account.
Many employers allow you to set up a Flexible Spending Account, or FSA. These are accounts where you can put money, taken from each of your paychecks, to cover any services or products to keep your mouth healthy. They work like debit cards, and you can use this card to pay for various medical and dental expenses. Be sure you check with your company on the details of your account, because many do not allow the money in the account to roll over to the next year. Go ahead and start putting money in early in the year, but plan carefully!
We hope this information has helped to highlight how important it is to use your dental insurance, and that it empowers you to take the next step to map out your healthcare plan for this year. Simply Smiles would love to consult with you and your family on any services and treatments you may need over the course of the year, and how best to plan for them. Call us today; it’s never too early to start putting your insurance to work!
Sources:
https://www.fidleronthetooth.com/blog/dental-insurance-use-lose/
https://www.northernpeaksdental.com/dental-insurance-use-it-or-lose-it/
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/paying-for-dental-care/using-dental-benefits