Dental insurance is a monthly investment designed to make preventive, restorative, and, in some cases, cosmetic dentistry more affordable. If you don’t use your coverage, however, your valuable dollars will go to waste. Don’t worry – there’s still time left to prevent that from happening to you this year! To learn how to maximize your dental insurance benefits in 2022, keep reading.
Tip #1: Prioritize Preventive Care
Whether you have an individual dental plan or one through your employer, it’s important to remember that benefits can vary. With that said, most insured patients have one thing in common: their essential preventive care is covered. However, if you skip one of your biannual checkups and cleanings, you don’t get a “bonus” one the following year. So, if you haven’t visited your dentist twice in 2022 (or your first appointment of 2023 isn’t on the calendar), then now is the time to schedule it!
Tip #2: Check Your Annual Maximum
An annual maximum is the highest dollar amount your provider will contribute to your care within a given time period (usually one year). If you have yet to meet that number and are struggling with an oral health concern, like tooth decay or gum disease, then schedule your restorative treatment sooner rather than later. This will benefit your smile and your wallet!
Tip #3: Use Your FSA Dollars
A Flexible Spending Account is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows you to set aside tax-free dollars for medical expenses. Fortunately, dental care falls within that category! So, if you have a remaining balance in your FSA, don’t hesitate to use those dollars toward maintaining or restoring your smile. Note: if you aren’t sure if you have an FSA or don’t know the dollar amount available, talk to your HR Manager or whoever handles your benefits at work.
Remember, Many Dental Plans Reset on January 1st!
As previously mentioned, dental plans can vary from patient to patient. With that said, many have something important in common: they reset on January 1st. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, that means there are only a few weeks left to maximize your benefits! If you’re unsure where to start, scheduling your next biannual checkup is a good idea. If you have yet to meet your annual maximum, then talk to your dental team. They might have some recommendations on how to use those valuable dollars to benefit your smile.
About the Practice
Our talented team at Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of Washington is passionate about providing hassle-free, helpful dentistry. Part of making that goal a reality is helping our patients navigate the financial side of their care! In addition to having an in-house savings plan and welcoming CareCredit, we happily work with Aetna, Delta, MetLife, and several other popular dental insurance providers. To learn more about dental insurance and how to maximize your coverage to the fullest, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (202) 364-8989.