At Beaverton TenderCare Dental we have all kinds of patients: young, old, insured, uninsured, those who have major dental conditions and people who we only see for cleanings. What do they all have in common? Teeth! One thing that we have also noticed however is that sometimes we have patients who do not take full advantage of their dental benefits. So, considering it’s almost halfway through 2014, we thought we’d give you a few reasons why you should always use your dental insurance or your flexible savings account.
1. Yearly Maximum
The yearly maximum is the most money that the dental insurance plan will pay for your dental work within one full year. This amount varies by insurance company, but the average is around $1,000 per year, per person. The yearly maximum usually renews every year (on January 1 if your plan is on a calendar year). If you have unused benefits, these will not roll over. So – if you don’t use your benefits, you’re potentially leaving $1000 or more unused!
2. Deductible
The deductible is the amount of money that you must pay to your dentist out of pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services. This fee varies from one plan to another and could be higher if you choose an out-of-network dentist. At Beaverton TenderCare Dental we are in-network for most providers, but our staff can verify this for you. The average deductible for a dental insurance plan is usually around $50 per year. Your deductible also starts again when your plan rolls over.
3. Premiums
If you or your employer are paying your dental insurance premiums every month, you should be using your benefits. Even if you don’t need any dental treatment, you should always have your regular dental cleanings to help prevent and detect any early signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental problems. Usually, procedures such as routine exams, films and cleanings are covered at 100%.
4. Fee Increases
Another reason to use your benefits before the end of the year is possible fee increases. It is often necessary for rates to increase at the beginning of the year due to the increased cost of living, materials and equipment. A fee increase can also make your copay higher.
5. Dental Problems Can Get Worse
This is the biggest concern and one we see every day. By delaying treatment, you are risking more extensive and expensive treatment in the future. What may only be a cavity now could turn into a root canal later. Call us and schedule an appointment to use those benefits! www.NurtureYourSmile.com
6. Use Up Your Existing FSA Contributions
Another good reason to take care of medical and dental work now is to spend any remaining balance in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). This is an account that you establish through your employer, and that you may have elected to have some of your pre-tax pay put into. If you don’t use all of your FSA contributions by the end of the year, you lose them.
In light of the new health care changes, it’s always important for you to double check your benefits and verify what your benefit and deductible are before your appointment, but at Beaverton TenderCare Dental we accept most insurance and we are always willing to put together payment plans for people without insurance. Thank you for choosing the most established dental office in Beaverton and call us today, to schedule your next appointment with your local Beaverton dentist!