Why Dental Insurance is Worth Paying For

If you pay a premium every month for dental insurance, you might sometimes wonder whether your plan is worth the cost. The short answer is yes, it is – so long as you’re taking full advantage of the benefits that it has to offer! It’s important to be fully aware of how your dental insurance works as well as the advantages it provides. Read on to learn more about the true value of dental insurance.

How Dental Insurance Works

In exchange for your monthly premium, your dental insurance company will help pay for a variety of dental treatments. Most of the time, your plan will follow a 100-80-50 structure; this means you’ll receive 100% coverage for preventive care, 80% coverage for basic treatments, and 50% coverage for advanced procedures. There’s often a deductible you need to pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in, and most plans set a maximum for how much they’ll pay for care in a year’s time.

The Benefits of Dental Insurance

So what makes dental insurance worth the cost? There are several important benefits to consider, such as:

• More Affordable Care: Since most insurance plans cover the entire cost of checkups and cleanings, your biannual dental visits will be much less of a financial strain. You’ll also lower your out-of-pocket cost for most types of restorative care, making it easier to fit important smile-saving treatments into your budget.
• Improved Oral Health: Checkups and cleanings give your dentist a chance to detect oral health issues early, helping you avoid more complex (and costly) oral health issues. By taking full advantage of your plan’s preventive coverage, you can protect your smile from severe problems that put your teeth at risk.
• Useful Tools: Many dental insurance companies offer their clients helpful tools for taking control of dental care. For example, Cigna has an app that can help you compare dental offices to find the one that’s right for you.

Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Dental Insurance Plan?

If you want to get the best value out of your dental insurance, you need to take whatever steps you can to maximize your benefits before they reset at the end of the year. Don’t forget to visit your dentist once every six months to use your preventive coverage. If you need restorative work that will take more than one appointment, consider having the first part completed before your benefits reset; that way you can use next year’s benefits to pay for the other half.

In short, dental insurance is invaluable for making dental care more affordable. If you’re not sure that you’re taking full advantage of your plan, reach out to your dental team today. They can go over the details with you and help you figure out the best way to get the most value out of your benefits.

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Cowell has spent 20 years helping DeLand patients protect their smiles. He’s dedicated to continuing to improve himself by maintaining active memberships in organizations such as the Florida Dental Association and the American College of Dentists. His practice is in-network with Cigna and accepts several other insurance plans as well. If you have an insurance question or want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cowell, reach out today by visiting his website or calling (386) 734-8585.