Dental coverage is a big draw for many employers since nearly 75 million Americans (or almost 25% of the national population) don’t have any dental benefits. However, according to the National Association of Dental Plans, only 2.8% of people with PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) insurance reach their maximum annual benefits. What a waste of money considering December 31 is the cut-off date. But why should you use your dental benefits and how can your Midtown Manhattan Dentist help ensure you’re dental-ready for the New Year?
You’ve Paid Your Deductible
Just like with medical insurance, dental insurance requires an annual deductible to be paid before it can be used. In most cases, that deductible is relatively low at $50-$100. But it’s still an out-of-pocket expense. So if you’ve paid it for the year, take advantage of the “free” coverage you still have left.
You Pay Monthly Premiums
Even basic dental insurance usually requires monthly premiums of some form. That may be taken directly from your paycheck, so it’s often easy to forget about. You’re still paying for it, nonetheless. Even if you don’t have dental issues or need cosmetic dentistry treatment like porcelain veneers, annual checkups and cleanings can help keep your smile stunning throughout the year and help catch common issues like gum disease, cavities, and even oral cancer.
The Annual Maximum Allowance Doesn’t Rollover
Dental insurance usually reaches a maximum coverage rate ranging between $1000 and $2000 per person. Once you’ve paid your annual deductible and monthly premiums, you need to use those individual benefits because they reset at the first of the year or whenever the new plan is scheduled to begin. Any leftover benefits are simply lost in the void. Fortunately, your Midtown Manhattan Dentist can often help get even some bigger treatments like porcelain veneers or dental crowns covered by scheduling the procedures around the policy closing and renewal dates.
Fees Increase
You may have looked into certain procedures earlier in the year and even gotten estimates from your dentist’s office. But that doesn’t mean those treatments will be the same price once the calendar year flips. Dental materials, business costs, the cost of living, and staff requirements can all work together to raise rates. And those rate changes can also raise your copay or deductible. So think and plan with your budget in mind. If you still have benefits, use them before fees increase.
Dental Problems Often Get Worse
Ignoring or neglecting minor dental issues is a common practice. But chips, cracks, and decay often get worse over time. A sore or bleeding molar can be a sign of something simple like over brushing, a mouth injury due to eating the wrong foods, or stress-related bruxism. But it can also indicate something more serious like a cavity, a loose or broken filling, or gum disease. A cavity or gingivitis is an easy fix early on, but they can quickly progress to a painful and expensive root canal or irreversible periodontitis later. So instead of ignoring the issue and making things worse, schedule a checkup with your Midtown Manhattan Dentist before your dental benefits run out.
