According to a study conducted by a major dental insurance provider, concerns about the cost of treatment are the main reasons patients miss out on their necessary dental care. Even those with dental insurance often believed there would be unexpected out of pocket costs beyond what they could afford. If you’ve been putting off routine dental care because you’re worried about the cost, keep reading to learn how dental insurance works, and how you can make sure there are no surprise costs associated with your dental care.
Picking the Right Plan
If you’re going to be changing dental insurance plans in 2018, there are a few questions you’ll need to ask before making a selection. They include:
- Is my current dental office in-network?
- Are treatments I need covered?
- Is preventive care covered 100%?
- Are there deductibles or plan maximums?
- Can I choose my dental office even if it’s out of network?
Maximizing Your Coverage
Once you’ve chosen a dental insurance provider, you can take a few simple steps to maximize your dental insurance coverage. The first and most important step is to visit your dentist at least twice a year for dental checkups and teeth cleanings. These regular appointments receive the greatest amount of coverage from insurance plans, and they prevent the need for more advanced services that are costlier and covered at lower percentages by benefit plans.
In-House Savings Plans
Some dental offices or dental care networks offer in-house savings plans. These plans are similar to dental insurance as they offset the out of pocket costs of dental care, but unlike insurance plans, they typically only require a small annual fee. Patients who pay this yearly fee will usually receive complete coverage for necessary preventive care and discounts on other treatments, even those not usually covered by insurance.
Financing Options
If you need help covering the out of pocket costs of your dental care, most dentists are happy to work with CareCredit and other third party medical and dental financiers to offer low and no interest financing plans. Ask about coverage with CareCredit before you begin any treatment.
Meet Dr. Vacek
At the Waverly dentistry practice of Timothy Vacek, DDS, we are dedicated to keeping our dental patients smiling. We offer a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services to keep patients smiling. The Amberly Dental team also has years of experience working with dental insurance providers every day to maximize benefits, so please don’t hesitate to ask about insurance coverage, our In-House Savings Plan, and financing options. We work hard to offer our patients clarity of cost, and our team can help you find the right dentistry solutions to fit any budget. Call to schedule an appointment or to find out more.