You know your dental insurance is important, but do you know how it works? Dental insurance is a great way to make keeping your smile healthy affordable if you use it correctly! However, many people don’t fully understand what dental insurance covers, and as a result, end up avoiding or overpaying for the care they need. Thankfully, understanding a few simple basics can help you save money while keeping your smile looking and feeling its best! Read on to learn more about what you can expect from your dental insurance coverage.
The 100-80-50 Insurance Coverage Structure
Every dental insurance policy is unique, but most follow the same structure when it comes to covering certain types of dental treatments:
- Preventive care: Diagnostics, checkups, cleanings, and other measures that are used to prevent issues or catch them very early are usually 90-100% covered by dental insurance.
- Basic treatments: Repairing your smile with treatments like fillings and gum disease therapy are typically covered slightly less at 70-80%.
- Major procedures: Extensive procedures such as root canals and custom dental crowns are generally only 45-50% covered by dental insurance.
Remember, each policy will have its own unique exceptions and inclusions, so you’ll need to review your dental insurance paperwork to know exactly what your plan covers and at what percent.
Expenses You Are Responsible for
While dental insurance can save you a lot of money on your oral health care costs, there are some expenses you will be responsible paying for, like:
- Insurance premium: You’ll need to pay a set amount (your premium) every month, quarter, or year to keep your insurance coverage active.
- Annual deductible: Before your insurance company begins to pay for your treatments with the 100-80-50 structure, you’ll need to pay a certain amount (your deductible) for your treatments.
- Co-pays: Each time you visit your dentist, you’ll need to pay a pre-set amount (your co-pay) before you receive your treatment.
Making the Most of Your Dental Insurance
Once you’ve paid for your deductible, your dental insurance will cover your dental care up to your annual maximum until the end of your coverage period, which is usually the end of the calendar year. However, any benefits you have left over by the time your plan renews will expire. Recent studies estimate that most Americans let about $1,000 of dental benefits go to waste every year!
There are several things you can do to make the most of your dental insurance plan. Make sure you get any fillings, crowns, or other dental work you need before the year ends so you pay as little out-of-pocket for it as possible. Also, be sure to take advantage of your preventive care coverage! Most insurance companies will pay for the cost of two dental checkups and cleanings twice a year. These quick, easy, and affordable visits can save you a substantial amount of time and money in the long run, so make sure to take full advantage of them.
Still have questions about your dental insurance? Give your dental team a call and they’ll be happy to help you discover the best ways to maximize your benefits.
About the Practice
Boerne Dental Center has been caring for the smiles of Boerne and the surrounding communities with excellent dentistry since 1965. With state-of-the-art technology, comprehensive dental care, and an office with a view of beautiful Texas landscapes, we strive to make every appointment as pleasant as possible. Our highly experienced team will be happy to help you maximize your benefits, and we also offer financing options and limited time offers to make optimal oral health affordable for everyone. If you have questions about dental insurance, feel free to contact us via our website or at (830) 249-2045.