If you have dental insurance for you and your family, you already know that you’re going to lose out on your unused benefits by the end of the year. This is because most insurance companies renew all benefits at the beginning of each calendar year. Ultimately, there is no better time than now to maximize your children’s benefits. Continue reading to learn more about dental insurance and what steps you should be taking now.
Why Should You Schedule Your Child’s Visit Now?
For most dental insurance plans, there is an annual cap. When you reach this point, you will become responsible for more costs out of pocket. However, if you have yet to utilize all of your kids’ annual benefits, they will most likely expire at the end of the calendar year. Beginning on January 1, you will be responsible for paying the deductible again. Since no benefits will carry over to the next year, it’s important that you schedule any needed appointments by the end of December, so you have more affordable care.
How Else Can You Maximize Your Child’s Benefits?
Here are some additional ways that you can maximize your child’s coverage on your dental insurance plan:
- Attend Checkups and Cleanings: Most insurance plans include two cleanings and checkups each year. If your kids aren’t having these done, you aren’t even close to maximizing your family’s benefits. Make sure that you take advantage of these visits so your kids can avoid the need for other treatments later on that may be more invasive and cost more out of pocket.
- Complete Other Treatments: Dental insurance plans are usually structured on a 100-80-50 model. This means that 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic treatments, and 50% of extensive treatments are covered by your insurance company. If your child has a minor issue, like a cavity, fixed now by their dentist, it will be more affordable to have it now rather than waiting till they need a more extensive treatment like a root canal or extraction.
- Avoid Your Annual Deductible: A deductible is the amount of money you need to spend out-of-pocket until you can take advantage of your benefits. This fee resets every year. If you get your children the treatment they need before the end of the year, you won’t need to worry about your deductible again until next time.
Dental insurance may not be the easiest thing to navigate, but by taking the right steps, you can maximize your child’s coverage and set them up to have excellent oral health for the coming year.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas Novak is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for over three decades. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry before serving in the US Navy Dental Corps for 5 years. Currently, he is a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Weatherford, visit his website or call (817) 594-7302.