Canal Side Family Dental is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Do you have dental insurance? Many people use their policy as a backup plan in case they ever face an urgent oral health situation. However, that approach to insurance actually deprives you of the opportunity to get the greatest value out of your coverage. How can you maximize your dental insurance benefits? A dentist in Buzzards Bay is here to discuss five useful tips.
1. Keep Up with Preventive Care
Many dental insurance plans allow you to attend two cleanings and checkups each year at little to no out of pocket cost. For some policies, you do not even need to pay a deductible before you can take advantage of basic services. Not only do these preventive appointments help your mouth feel clean and fresh, but they also give your dentist an opportunity to catch oral health problems before they become serious.
2. Schedule Restorative Treatment ASAP
Dental insurance plans do not provide the same level of coverage for every treatment. For example, while they offer robust coverage for preventive care, they might only cover 70% – 80% of the cost of fillings. If a cavity worsens to the point where a filling is no longer an adequate treatment and you require a major procedure, such as root canal therapy, your insurance might cover just 50% of the cost. Hence, it is in your best financial interests to schedule recommended treatments as soon as possible.
3. Remember that Benefits Do Not Roll Over
Most insurance plans operate on a calendar-year basis. At the beginning of the year, you are given an annual maximum — that is the highest dollar amount that your insurer will pay out for approved treatments within the year. At the end of the year, unused benefits expire. Hence, if you know you need a specific treatment, the time to schedule it is now — before your 2020 policy ends.
4. Be Strategic with Major Procedures
Some major dental procedures take place across multiple appointments. If you worry that a certain treatment might exceed your annual maximum, ask your dental team if you can schedule it between 2020 and 2021. You might be able to use two annual maximums rather than just one.
5. Utilize Your FSA
In addition to dental insurance, many people also have a flexible spending account (FSA) through their employer. An FSA allows you to set aside tax-free money that you can use for various purposes, including medical and dental expenses. Most FSAs expires at the end of the calendar year, but a few have a grace period that allow their owners to utilize their funds during the first few months of the following year.
Are you maximizing your dental benefits? The five tips listed above will help you take full advantage of your coverage.
Meet the Practice
At Canal Side Family Dental, we have five talented dentists and specialists ready to serve our patients. We are happy to work with most types of insurance, and our knowledgeable team is able to offer advice to help you maximize your policy. To learn more about us and how we provide reasonably priced, top-quality care, contact us at 508-759-2721.