New Year, New Benefits: How to Maximize Your Dental Insurance in 2021

And just like that, 2020 has come to an end! If you are like most Americans, your dental plan reset when the clock struck midnight. To ensure those benefits help your smile and your wallet, it is important to utilize your coverage now. Unsure where to start? Here are three tips to help from a dentist in Arlington!

#1. Review the Details of Your Dental Plan

Unsure what your annual maximum is? Wondering which dental treatments are covered? Interested in learning what percentage of orthodontic treatment is included? There is no time like the present to review the details of your plan! Not only will this provide insight into benefits that have been going unused, but it can also help you be prepared in case you do need restorative care or emergency treatment throughout the year.

#2. Schedule Your Dental Checkups and Cleanings Now

The best way to prevent your unused benefits from becoming wasted dollars is by taking advantage of the services that are covered. Preventive care, like your routine dental checkups and cleanings, are often covered at 100%, so start there! These routine appointments are a crucial component of your oral hygiene routine, and they play a vital role in catching non-dental issues, like oral cancer, and saving you thousands on restorative and cosmetic care in the long run.

#3. Use Your FSA or HSA Dollars to Cover Out-of-Pocket Dental Expenses

Do you have a Flexible Spending Account or a Health Savings Account? If you answered “yes,” then you can use those dollars to cover out-of-pocket dental expenses, like the remaining cost of dental crowns (which are usually covered at 50% by dental insurance providers). If you aren’t sure whether you have one or don’t know which treatments are eligible, don’t hesitate to reach out to your HR department (or whoever handles your benefits) to ask!

Dental insurance is a monthly expense designed to keep your oral health and smile in pristine condition without breaking the bank. To ensure this valuable coverage doesn’t go to waste, use the above tips to maximize your benefits in 2021!

About the Author

Dr. James T. Gray earned his dental doctorate at the University of Texas Dental School at San Antonio, and three full decades later he still is passionate about helping his patients achieve good oral health and gorgeous smiles. He and our team are dedicated to providing superior dental care at a fair price, which is why we are proud to be an insurance-friendly office. Plus, if you don’t have a dental plan, we will happily accept low-to-no interest financing through CareCredit. For additional information on maximizing your dental benefits in 2021, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 817-460-4131.