6 Reasons Not to Let Dental Insurance Benefits Expire

The year is almost over. If you still have dental insurance benefits remaining, you might think that you may as well wait until next year to make an appointment. Don’t make this mistake! Dental benefits do not generally roll over once the plan resets – in other words, your benefits stand to go to waste unless you use them. Here are 6 reasons to see a dental health professional – such as an orthodontist who takes insurance in Richardson – before this year’s benefits are lost.

1. The Yearly Max

Most of the time you can expect your plan to put a cap on the coverage it will provide each year. This essentially means a certain amount of money is set aside for the specific purpose of oral health care. This money does not roll over, which means it usually makes the most sense to use the funds while they’re still available to you.

2. Multiple Treatments

For patients who require a set of costly procedures that will take more than one visit, out-of-pocket costs can be significantly reduced by scheduling the initial appointments before January 1st and then completing the treatment afterwards. For example, if you need root canal therapy (a procedure that typically is performed over at least two appointments), you should find an endodontist who takes insurance in Richardson now to begin the process. That way, you can maximize the benefits for both years.

3. Deductibles

You can expect to pay a certain amount out of pocket every year before receiving dental benefits. If you have already met this requirement, it may be a good idea to receive treatment now before the deductible becomes a factor again.

4. Premiums

While most of the time insurance is treated as a safety net, it doesn’t make sense to be paying for dental benefits throughout the year and then never take advantage of any of the coverage. At the very least, you should be scheduling two routine hygiene cleanings and exams each year; you’ll utilize your benefits while also giving your dentist a chance to detect and prevent cavities, gum disease, teeth grinding, oral cancer and other dental issues.

5. Fee Increases

At the beginning of each year, dentists need to review their pricing and decide whether fee increases are needed to cover the expenses of the practice. That means waiting until January to see the dentist could result in a higher co-pay.

6. Ignoring Gum Disease and Other Oral Health Issues Makes Them Worse

Seeing the dentist or a periodontist who takes insurance in Richardson sooner rather than later is just as important for oral hygiene as it is for maximizing your benefits; dental problems only ever get worse as time goes on, and severe issues tend to require more costly treatment.

To start making a plan for getting the most out of your dental benefits, review your policy and get in touch with your dentist to figure out what your smile needs.

About the Practice

At EPO Dental Specialists, you and your family can benefit from the expertise of an endodontist, a periodontist, and an orthodontist all under one roof. We are proud to be in-network with many notable insurance companies and will always make sure you get the most out of the coverage you deserve. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (972) 479-1200.