At the Mandeville Center For Dental Excellence, we understand how hard it can be to understand your dental plan, and all of the benefits that it offers you. But navigating your dental benefits doesn’t have to be hard! Heading into this new year, we’re offering our best advice on how to use your benefits and get the oral care you need!
Keep reading to get the details, and visit our patient resources page to learn more about our finance and insurance options!
Most dental insurance plans have a set “annual maximum” that will be paid towards dental care. Typically, this is around $1,000, though it may vary based on the specifics of your dental plan and a number of other factors. At our family dentistry practice in Mandeville, our friendly staff can look at your annual maximum and walk you through the best way to use your benefits throughout the year.
There are some dental procedures that are exempt from the maximum. Preventative treatments and general dental care are usually covered by your insurance provider, and do not contribute towards this annual maximum. This is because insurers recognize that preventative treatments actually help them save money in the long run, by reducing the impact of common issues like tooth decay and periodontal disease.
If you’re in need of preventative dental care in Mandeville, check your insurance plan immediately! Your oral cleanings, x-rays, and oral exams are almost always going to be covered with a low co-pay, and will not contribute toward your annual maximum. There is no reason not to get your bi-annual checkups, and if you don’t, you’re essentially leaving money on the table!
If your dental plan has a deductible, you’re responsible for paying all of the treatment costs until you hit this out-of-pocket limit. Usually, this is about $50 for an individual, and $150 for a family. This means that, if you need dental work done, it’s a good idea to get it done all at once.
Once you hit your deductible it’s the responsibility of your dental insurer to pay for your dental care until you hit your annual maximum. If you complete multiple procedures together, like fillings, crowns, or dentures, you can ensure that you use the full extent of your benefits that you are entitled to within a given year!
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts (FSAs and HSAs) let you deposit a set amount of pre-tax money for use during the calendar year on medical expenses, including dentistry.
FSAs are sponsored by employers, and only can be used during a single year, while HSAs can be started by an individual, and the balance rolls over to the next year. See which account is best for you with this handy article.
Regardless of the plan you choose, being able to spend pre-tax money on dental care can help you compound your savings if you also maximize your health insurance benefits!
Our dedication to excellence is in our name! At the Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence, Dr. Schof provides exceptional preventative, comprehensive, and cosmetic care for all of his patients.
Not convinced that we’re one of the best dentists around? Take a look at our smile gallery, or past patient testimonials. So don’t wait. Get personalized attention from our preventative dentist in Mandeville in 2018! Schedule your appointment now at (985) 626-4401, or come to our office at 240 Dalwill Drive, Mandeville, La. 70471.
