Dental insurance—it’s not a topic that many people keenly talk about or understand. It can seem dry, complex, and hardly worth the effort. But did you know that 1 billion dollars of unused benefits goes back to insurance companies every year? Could you be forfeiting your share of that money?
While your child may be too young to grasp dental insurance concepts, it’s important you do as their parent. Remembering these helpful concepts can keep you on track for getting the most out of your benefits year after year as your child grows.
Dental Insurance Helps with Cost, But It Doesn’t Cover Everything.
Having dental insurance benefits can vastly reduce the amount you pay for your child’s dental treatments, but you may end up needing to pay for a percentage of some procedures, especially repairs. Insurance pays based on a gradational system. Basically, the more intensive the treatment is, the lower percentage insurance will pay (and the more you pay out-of-pocket). Other services, namely cosmetic dentistry, are typically not covered at all and must be paid completely on your own.
Preventive Services Get the Most Coverage.
If you take a closer look at your child’s coverage, you should quickly see that prevention receives the highest amount in your favor. As a result, you need to take advantage of preventive services, including dental checkups, cleanings, and fluoride treatments for your child. The better you can avoid cavities and other problems, the less you spend!
In-Network Providers Will Give You the Most Savings.
Most dental insurance policies will have provisions for out-of-network dental offices, but these benefits can be more complicated and slightly less favorable than if you were to visit an in-network pediatric dentist.
An out-of-network visit may require you to pay the full amount at the appointment, file paperwork for reimbursement, and wait for the insurance company to send their part. In the meantime, you may have to argue with the insurance company. In contrast, an in-network pediatric dentist will only charge your expected co-pay and fees. They handle the paperwork and hassle for you!
If You Don’t Use Your Benefits, You Waste Money.
Out of every paycheck, you contribute to your work benefits, including dental insurance. In other words, you pay your premiums. If you decide not to take advantage of your child’s benefits, you basically throw money away. You have already paid for basic dental care and assistance with higher costs—why not use this available resource to care for your child’s smile and keep them healthy?
In the end, even if you aren’t enthusiastic about dental insurance, it behooves you to be aware of the basics and remember these concepts to help you save money and to help your child learn healthy habits to keep their mouth clean and strong.
About the Practice
Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry is proud to be in-network with many dental insurance plans, including Careington, MetLife, Guardian, and more. Dr. Patrick Bowman and Dr. Kathleen Waguespack have earned board certification in pediatric dentistry, which means they specialize in working with infants through teenagers. They have advanced training in diagnosing and treating issues particular to these age groups, and our team can’t wait to help you understand how to use your benefits in the best way possible. Do you have more insurance questions? Give us a call at 720-647-6310 or visit us online here.