Many people with dental insurance do not use their policy to the full. They might just visit the dentist once a year for a checkup, or perhaps they do not visit their dentist at all unless they experience some oral discomfort. But such individuals are lessening the value they get from their policy, and they are endangering their oral health. That’s why we’re writing this blog post. We are here to give you a few pointers on how you can truly benefit from your dental insurance in 2020.
Don’t Neglect Cleanings and Checkups
Most dental insurance plans cover two cleanings and checkups each year — usually for nothing out of pocket if a patient visits an in-network dentist. The standard recommendation is for everyone to visit their dentist every six months. Therefore, if you wait until July or later to attend your first preventive appointment of the year, you won’t have enough time to have your second appointment before this year’s benefits expire. Scheduling an appointment soon will make sure you have plenty of time to use all of your preventive benefits in 2020.
Use Your Annual Maximum
If you have a PPO dental insurance plan, you likely have an annual maximum. That is the highest amount that your insurer will pay out for approved services within a calendar year. The maximum resets each year. Hence, at the beginning of 2020, you likely have the entirety of your annual maximum left.
When you visit your dentist for a checkup, they might notice a minor oral health issues that requires care. You can get it taken care of soon without worrying that its cost will exceed your annual maximum. On the other hand, if you wait to visit the dentist, and an oral health problem becomes worse, your annual maximum might not be enough to cover the necessary treatment.
Get More Out of Your Policy
Dental insurance can be a little confusing, especially if you aren’t accustomed to using your policy regularly. You can rely on the team at your dental office for help. They can explain insurance terms to you and educate you about how your policy applies to certain treatments. Plus, if they are in-network with your insurance company, they may have special expertise on how your policy works and how you can get the greatest value out of it.
At RiverPlace Dental, Debbie is our insurance coordinator. She takes the lead in helping patients utilize their benefits. She has decades of experience, and she is ready and eager to put her vast knowledge to work for you. You can get in touch with her and our team by calling 503-761-1414. We look forward to caring for your smile!
Meet Our Dentist
At RiverPlace Dental, we want to help you use your dental insurance to the full. Even more than that, however, we want you to experience high-quality dental care. Dr. Megan McInnis, the leader of our team, is an accomplished dentist who is a member of the American Dental Association and the Oregon Dental Association. She focuses her practice on providing top tier dentistry in a comfortable environment.