As the holidays get closer and closer, you try to be extra careful with your money. You can spot a good deal when you see one, especially this time of year. You look for creative ways that you can save some additional cash, but if you haven’t visited your family dentist in Lacey twice so far this year, you could be missing out on an opportunity to save yourself physical and financial pain down the road. If you have dental insurance, your savings potential is even higher! As 2019 draws to a close, make sure that you use your dental insurance benefits before they reset with the new year.
How Dental Insurance Works
Just like with medical insurance, you pay monthly premiums for your dental insurance, and in return you can access certain services at a discounted rate. However, medical insurance sometimes doesn’t apply to preventive care, which is the primary focus of dental insurance plans. In many cases, two routine dental visits per year, where you have a checkup and cleaning, are covered in full. This means that you may not have to pay anything out-of-pocket for this appointment.
Did you know that your dental insurance plan includes a yearly maximum? This means that they will pay for dental services only to a certain amount, which is usually $1,000 to $1,500. If you haven’t been seeing the dentist regularly, you definitely could be leaving a lot of money unused. And what’s more, this money does not roll over into the new year. Basically, if you don’t use it, you lose it!
Early Intervention and Prevention
Although some medical conditions can eventually go away over time, oral problems only progress further the longer you wait to seek treatment. As a result, it is more cost effective to prevent issues altogether or at least catch them as soon as possible than it is to postpone your dental visits. By attending your semiannual checkup, you can make sure that any problems are resolved early and get your teeth professionally cleaning to prevent future issues.
Getting the Most from Your Coverage
In addition to preventive coverage, most dental insurance plans also cover 70 to 80 percent of the cost to fix minor restorative issues and 50 percent of the cost for major restorative care. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your insurance buck, it’s smart to keep up with your checkup and cleaning appointments. Even if you end up having a cavity or other problem at this visit, it will still cost you less to fix it now than it would to treat it later.
Has it been a while since you’ve visited the dentist? Do you have some dental work that needs to be completed? During this busy season, make some time to see your dentist in Lacey if necessary. Your smile and your wallet will thank you.
About the Practice
At Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, families in the Lacey area can find high-quality dental care at an affordable rate. Dr. Venn Peterson and Dr. Spenser Cammack are in-network with many providers, including Delta Dental, United Concordia, Metlife, Aetna, and Cigna. If you have questions about your specific dental insurance plan, you can contact their team by calling (360) 459-4420 or clicking here.