{"id":13686,"date":"2019-10-17T13:37:53","date_gmt":"2019-10-17T13:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/?p=13686"},"modified":"2026-01-08T19:39:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:39:07","slug":"get-the-most-out-of-your-dental-insurance-by-using-your-benefits-before-they-expire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/2019\/10\/17\/get-the-most-out-of-your-dental-insurance-by-using-your-benefits-before-they-expire\/","title":{"rendered":"Get the Most Out of Your Dental Insurance By Using Your Benefits Before They Expire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"person<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Are you wondering why using your benefits matters?\nWith regular preventive appointments and a good at-home oral hygiene routine,\nyou can stretch your dental benefit dollars and reduce how much you pay\nout-of-pocket. By using your benefits before they expire in January, you can\nput a bright smile on your face and expand your monthly budget, allowing you\nmore money to do the activities you want. Read on to learn more about your\npolicy and why it\u2019s important to visit your dentist before the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Does Your Plan Cover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every person\u2019s dental policy varies drastically, so the best\nway to learn what services your specific plan covers is to call your provider.\nTypically, plans follow the 100-80-50 coverage rule. All this means is that\ndental insurance companies usually cover 100 percent of preventive services, 80\npercent of basic dental treatments, and 50 percent of major procedures.\nSometimes, the more serious or invasive the treatment, the higher the copayment\nmay be. Plans may even exclude covering certain procedures such as sealants,\nwhich is why it\u2019s always important to check before you schedule an appointment.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, your plan has a maximum amount that they\u2019ll pay\nout for dental expenses. Most PPOs have maximums that are less than $1,500,\nmeaning that you\u2019d be responsible paying for any treatment once you\u2019ve met this\namount. Keep in mind that caps for orthodontic treatments and procedures are\nusually separate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insurance and Preventive Dental Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The American Dental Association states that in order to\nmaintain healthy teeth and gums, it\u2019s important to visit the dentist twice each\nyear for a checkup and cleaning. Typically, both of these appointments are\ncovered by your policy, as long as they\u2019re scheduled six months apart. When it\ncomes to getting digital X-rays, fillings, restorations, or children\u2019s\npreventive treatments, your insurance policy may only pay for them every few\nyears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Reasons to Use Your Benefits Before January<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people wonder what the point of visiting their dentist\nis when they brush and floss their teeth at home. Your dentist is\nprofessionally trained to spot symptoms that you aren\u2019t able to, such as abnormalities\nin your oral tissue or receding gums. When you visit them for your checkups and\ncleanings, they make sure that any small issues are taken care of, so you don\u2019t\nhave to worry about having to spend extra money on costly additional procedures\nin the future. Here are five reasons it\u2019s a good idea to plan your visit now\ninstead of waiting until next year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n