It can be difficult to remember just how important it is to take good care of your teeth. You constantly use them every day, for both eating and talking, so it’s important to prepare for the worst should something happen to them. Dental insurance is a great plan to have in place, and the premiums are often affordable enough. When compared to the high costs of dental procedures, the logic that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings true.
With open enrollment beginning next Tuesday, November 1st, it’s time to take a look at your current plan and weigh the benefits of having dental insurance. Typically, dental insurance is worth the cost when it comes to larger surgical procedures such as crowns, bridges, inlays, dentures, or root canals.
Just like with medical or vision insurance, you buy dental insurance to prepare for accidents or illnesses that might have become financially detrimental if you hadn’t prepared in advance.
Approximately 64% of Americans have dental insurance, and nearly all of them are provided through workplaces or group plans. Going through your workplace or a group plan is a great way to keep the cost of insurance down, whether medical, vision, or dental.
If you have a set of strong, healthy teeth, maybe you only ever see Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Regalado, or Dr. Hunt once annually for a checkup and cleaning. In that case, you may not need to worry about preparing for the worst. However, some teeth are more prone to disease and other issues. In these cases, it is better to have more frequent checkups so your dentist is likely to catch issues in their early stages. By having dental insurance, you'll be prepared for costly procedures by having insurance.
Typically, the most advertised feature of a dental insurance plan is its focus on providing free preventative and diagnostic care. Most often, it provides recipients with one or two free annual exams and cleanings and will also cover the cost of X-rays.
Aside from these free benefits, your insurance will usually cover 70 to 80% of the cost of basic procedures, such as fillings, extractions, office visits, and periodontal treatments. Major procedures, such as dentures or implants, are usually covered up to 50%. Similar to medical insurance, however, your dental insurance will not cover cosmetic procedures or surgeries.
Basically, you will most likely save money having insurance as long as you remember to take advantage of the savings offered. So don’t forget to schedule your two annual cleanings with our amazing team of dentists and hygienists!
Open enrollment is just a few days away. Now is the time to review your current plan if you have one and choose a new dental insurance plan before January 31st.
Remember, your dental benefits do not roll over, so if you haven’t yet taken advantage of your plan’s preventative care, make sure you schedule your next cleaning as soon as possible. Request an appointment online, or call (209) 385-1479 to schedule today.
Do you have dental insurance for yourself or your family? Did you know that if you don’t use your benefits by the end of the year you will lose some of the money saving aspects, even if you stay on the same plan? Unlike data on cell phone plans, there is no “rollover” in the insurance industry when it comes to benefits – you use them or lose them at the end of the year. (And the same holds true for any type of health insurance, whether it be dental, vision, or general health insurance.)
Why would you spend your hard-earned money on insurance and not take full advantage of your benefits? Since the end of the year is quickly approaching, now is a great time to schedule a dental exam if you haven’t already exceeded the limit allowed on your dental policy.
It is important to get at least one dental exam per year for many reasons. Regular exams can help prevent cavities and catch early problems before the damage becomes irreversible. Exams and cleanings help to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease and other conditions, and they also help to detect oral cancers in the earlier stages.
Many other services are often covered under your dental plan in addition to your checkups and cleanings. Once you’ve reached your deductible, some services, such as a necessary root canal or crowns, may be covered at 100% so you don’t have any out-of-pocket costs. After your insurance lapses, however, you lose that 100% benefit, resetting your deductible.
Open enrollment for health and dental insurance begins November 1, 2016. If you don’t currently have dental insurance or are unhappy with your current plan, the open enrollment period is a great time to choose a new plan with benefits that suit your needs. After open enrollment ends, your insurance options are drastically limited, so don’t wait!
Take advantage of your coverage and get the most out of your healthcare dollar by scheduling an exam with one of our amazing dental health professionals. Call (209) 385-1479 or request an appointment online today. We’d love to help you improve your smile while maximizing your savings.
Considering dental insurance to help ease the strain on your wallet? Great news – open enrollment for most health insurance plans begins on November 1. While some dental insurance plans only cover basic cleanings, other dental plans can drastically reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, saving you a ton of money on necessary dental work for oral health.
Here’s what you need to know before you buy a dental insurance plan:
Always remember to read any policy thoroughly before you sign a contract to ensure it will suit your needs for total oral wellness. If you come in for regular check-ups and have healthy teeth and gums, a simple, low-cost plan may be best for you, while others may need plans with extra coverage.
Need help choosing a dental plan? Talk to one of our friendly front desk associates at El Portal Dental Group in Merced, California to learn more about dental plans that offer great benefits. Call (209) 385-1479 today!