2021 is now about to end along with the validity of our insurance plans like dental insurance or dental benefits. After the turn of events this year, a lot of us have started to pick up what we left off after several lockdowns.
Using your dental insurance is probably among the last things you want to deal with for the rest of December. However, using them now can put you at an advantage. In this post, we will share some benefits of using your dental insurance right before the year ends.
As a trusted dental practice in Shelby, Shelby Dental Care Center aims to remind patients of the perks that they may miss out if they don’t use their benefits this December.
How does dental insurance work?
Dental insurance and dental benefits plans are a type of dental health insurance plan that you can use to pay for a product or service at certain coverage rates. The benefits usually last for a year and do not roll over to the next year. However, there is a thin line of difference between dental benefits and dental insurance
A dental benefits plan is usually provided by your workplace as part of their benefits package. It can cover some dental services in full. Dental insurance, on the other hand, can cover some dental services in full or at a certain coverage rate depending on the term of your insurance plan provider, such as a dental PPO or HMO.
The coverage rates of most dental insurance follow the 100-80-20 coverage pattern. Here’s how it is broken down per treatment category:
- Preventive care treatments (100%): Cleanings and dental sealants are usually covered in full and no longer require a copay or out-of-pocket costs. However, these treatments fall under the policy called frequency limitation. It is a rule where there should be a 3- to 6-month gap or waiting period before you can receive another teeth cleaning.
- Minor restorations (80%): Minor restorations fall under this category which include root canals and tooth extraction. In some cases, fillings are also considered minor restorations.
- Major restorations (50%): Major restorations for most insurance providers include teeth-replacement services like dental bridges, crowns, or dentures.
Cosmetic dental services are usually not covered by most dental insurance plan providers. These include services like teeth whitening, clear aligners, or dental bonding unless otherwise proven medically appropriate. The rest of the percentage is paid by the patient under a copay.
5 Perks of using your dental insurance or benefits before they expire
As you take care of your overall health during the COVID pandemic, don’t forget to also take care of your oral health. If you’re concerned about the dental costs, you can surely count on your dental benefits or dental insurance for the following benefits to shoulder a part of it. Here’s how:
You will earn from your dental costs
It’s quite ironic how you can possibly earn from your dental cost. However, if you consider the dynamic, the money that you don’t spend is actually the money that you earn. So, instead of spending your out-of-pocket money for dental costs, using your dental benefits or insurance can actually make you earn money and will no longer be part of your expenses.
You will keep yourself safe from worse dental conditions through prevention
Most patients visit the dentist when they already feel pain. The sad thing about pain is it is not a good indication, especially for teeth and gums. It may indicate that the decay on your teeth has already reached the tooth pulp that contains the nerve and blood vessels of your tooth. Once that is infected, you can either have the tooth extracted or consider root canal therapy, depending on the condition of the tooth.
With regular dental cleanings, you may prevent the plaque from causing tooth decay and its impact on your oral health.
You get to spend the deductions for your whole year’s salary
Some companies are deducting the contribution for your dental benefits from your salary. So, if you will not use your benefits, then your hard-earned money collected every month is going to go to waste.
You keep expensive dental costs at bay
It’s a telltale old saying that prevention will always be better than cure. Treating dental conditions costs twice as much as a regular cleaning or dental exam. If tooth decay is left untreated, it may progress into severe decay that will require the extraction of your tooth. Replacing your teeth will also cost more than a simple filling that will prevent the bacteria from infecting your tooth pulp.
Your dentist may detect signs of a health issue that manifests in the mouth
Our oral health can give away subtle signs of the onset of some medical conditions. By using your benefits for your dental exam, your dentist can check any signs that may indicate any of the following medical conditions:
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Anemia
- GERD or acid reflux
- Cancer
- HIV
- Anemia
Accepted dental insurance partners at Shelby Dental Care Center
If you want to use your dental benefits in Shelby, Shelby Dental Care Center is in partnership with the following dental insurance providers:
- United Healthcare
- Humana
- Delta Dental
- Cigna
- BlueCross BlueShield
- ASSURANT
Book your appointment now and avoid getting tangled with the scheduling constraints during the last weeks of December this year.
