A recent study shows that around 77% of Americans have dental insurance, but are they getting the most out of their coverage? Unfortunately, the answer is “No,” as only 2.8% of those insured maximize their coverage each year. That means the majority of people are wasting the investment they make into their monthly premiums. Is there anything that can be done to turn this around? Your dentist in Naples offers a simple way to make a big impact and reverse this trend.
How Can Dental Insurance be Wasted?
To gain an understanding of how dental insurance can be wasted, we must first look at how it works. Typically, the yearly coverage maximum is between $1,000 and $1,500, but most people don’t come close to approaching that ceiling.
The following shows how coverage is dispersed based on the type of care received:
- Preventive Care – Six-month appointments for X-Rays, cleanings and check-ups are classified as preventive care, and it’s these types of visits that insurance companies really encourage. Therefore, they will typically cover up to 100% of the cost.
- Basic Care – If you’re in need of a root canal or a cavity filling, it is considered to be basic care. Generally, your dental insurance will cover up to 80% of the cost.
- Major Care – More complex procedures like a crown replacement are classified as major care, and you can expect a copay of up to 50% of the total cost.
The above clearly shows where the greatest advantage is for patients – preventive care visits. Not only do they save money, but they make great usage of the investment made into their oral health.
There’s Much More to Preventive Care Visits!
Not only are semi-annual appointments normally fully covered, but they also prevent unnecessary suffering and provide even greater cost savings down the road. This is because a regular visit will allow your dentist to spot any budding problems early, which means the care needed to restore your oral health will usually be less involved.
Thus, your out-of-pocket fees will be far less than they could be if the needed care is neglected, and more complex types of treatment are needed.
Why You Can’t Afford to Wait
Now that the year is nearing its end, it’s vital to get in for a visit for two reasons:
- Coverage will typically renew at the first of the year, which means your current benefits will be lost.
- A preventive care visit before the year ends will allow you to identify any developing issues before they have a chance to fester into something worse. Thus, you can go into the new year with excellent oral health and a clean dental slate to work from.
So to take advantage of the opportunity before you, be proactive and reach out to your local dentist to schedule a preventive care visit today!
About the Author
For nearly 40 years, Dr. Gery Benza has been a fixture in the Naples community, providing expert and comprehensive care. He earned his DDS degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, yet he has remained an avid learner ever since, taking hours of continuing education courses annually. Dr. Benza helps patients get the most out of their dental insurance and enjoy excellent oral health at Galleria Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information through his website.