Think about it. You pay your dental insurance premiums every month. But what exactly are you paying for? Is dental insurance just for when things go wrong? Are there benefits you could be using that you haven’t been? How can you make sure you get the most out of your dental insurance? Get the answers to these questions about dental insurance with your dentist in Green Hills.
Understand Your Dental Plan
You need to know which treatments and services are covered and which are not, especially if you are planning on having a specific procedure. Although individual plans vary, many plans provide similar coverage to the following:
- 100% preventive care.
- 70-80% minor restorative care.
- 50% major restorative care.
Before you start any dental work, your dentist can let you know what your out-of-pocket costs will be. To help you save on out-of-pocket costs and take full advantage of your dental insurance coverage, use a dentist who is in-network.
Also, find out what your plan’s yearly maximum is. It could affect when you want to move forward with some treatment.
Schedule Exams Now
Did you know that your dental insurance pays for two routine cleanings and checkups every year? It costs the insurance company less money to cover routine cleanings and preventive care than it does to treat more serious oral conditions later. As a result, you get the opportunity to get professional teeth cleaning and dental checkup—for free!
Don’t wait until the last minute to squeeze in your covered checkups. Schedule them in advance six months apart to ensure that the cleanings are evenly spaced out in the year. Use them and get your money’s worth.
Use Your FSA/HSA Money
During the insurance open enrollment period, you might have chosen a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA). Both of these accounts allow you to pay for medical and dental expenses using tax-free money that you contribute. Although most dental care procedures, such as filling and crowns, qualify for this money, check with your FSA or HSA provider to make sure your specific procedure does.
You pay for your dental insurance, so you might as well use it and get the most for your money. Do some research to learn more about your coverage and schedule your dental checkups. For any additional treatment, you can know the cost you’ll pay and plan accordingly. To learn more about how you can take advantage of your dental insurance benefits, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Green Hills today.
About the Practice
At Green Hills Dental Center, Dr. James Kirby and his staff offer comprehensive dental services ranging from thorough checkups to complete smile makeovers for the whole family. They accept dental insurance from these providers: Aetna, Assurant, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, Delta Dental, MetLife, Nippon, Novanet, Sun Life Financial, Unum, and United Concordia. To contact them, call (615) 327-2123 or click here.