Dental insurance can help you offset certain expenses and make it possible for you to receive the care you need, but with all the confusing terminology, you might have trouble understanding what’s covered and what isn’t.
At Dentistry of Fishers, we understand how dental insurance works, and we’re happy to file claims on your behalf and answer any questions about your coverage. We even offer a complimentary insurance consultation to go over your benefits.
With the end of the year rapidly approaching, now is the time to take advantage of any remaining benefits before they expire.
In this “Use-It-or-Lose-It” Guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how dental insurance works and even offer a few viable options for those without insurance.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Dental insurance terminology can be difficult to decipher; to understand how your insurance works, it’s essential to understand the following terms:
- Premiums — This is the amount you’ll pay for your dental insurance. Often, your employer can deduct this amount from your paycheck on a monthly or quarterly basis.
- Deductibles — This is the amount you have to pay before your dental insurance begins to cover your treatment costs. Most dental insurance has a deductible for everything other than preventive visits twice a year. Knowing your deductible amount is crucial.
- Annual maximums — This is the most your dental insurance will pay for treatment within a calendar year. You need to check to see what your individual and/or family maximum is; beyond that amount, you are responsible for treatment costs.
- Benefit levels — Many companies have different levels of coverage, paying a certain percentage for any treatment in each level. For example, preventive services are often covered at 100% while basic services, major services, emergency services, and orthodontics have their own percentages.
- Copayments and coinsurance — A copayment is the amount you’ll pay for a particular dental treatment, and coinsurance is the fixed percentage you and your dental coverage will pay. For example, your insurance may pay 50% for a specific service (once you meet your deductible), meaning that you will pay the other 50%.
- Waiting period — You may have to wait before you can use your dental benefits. It’s important to know if your plan has a waiting period so you can plan for treatment. Insurance companies do this to protect themselves and keep potential applicants from waiting until they need treatment before enrolling.
Making the Most of Your Coverage: What You Can Do
Our dental team will work with you to understand your coverage and help you maximize your benefits.
Here are some things you can do to get the most from your hard-earned dollars:
- Schedule preventive care — Most dental insurance pays 100% of your preventive dental costs, and some other services are covered at a lower percentage. Because of this, we encourage you to schedule dental exams and cleanings before the end of the year if it has been more than six months since your last visit. Once the new year rolls around, your benefits will reset, so you want to be sure to “use” your benefits before you “lose” them.
- Plan early — Try not to wait until late in the year to plan for dental treatments. We encourage you to talk to us about your family’s dental needs and make any appointments early so you don’t have to worry about going to the dentist during the busy holiday season. This can also help you get the most from your coverage.
- Schedule visits over two calendar years — If you or a loved one needs a dental restoration, orthodontic care, or other treatments that require more than one appointment, you might be able to begin treatment during 2025 and then schedule the remainder of your care in 2026, taking advantage of your coverage for BOTH years. We’ll work with you to plan treatment, but our appointments are booking up quickly, so contact us as soon as possible!
- Speak with our dental team — Our experienced team is always happy to look at your dental insurance and help you figure out what’s covered and what you can do to get the most from what you pay for. You can also call the phone number on your insurance card or visit their website for additional information.
- Consider an FSA — Many employers offer a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), allowing you to put a certain amount of your paycheck into a special account. These pre-tax dollars can be spent on dental or medical expenses for the year, as well as certain over-the-counter products. Many of these accounts give you a debit card to pay for your treatment, so all you have to do is present your card after your appointment.
No Insurance? No Problem!
Our office accepts traditional payment methods and most dental insurance. However, for patients who are retired, don’t have access to, or choose not to purchase dental insurance, we offer a couple of other ways to help you get the care you deserve:
- Dental care package — For $390 a year, you can purchase our dental care package and receive two dental cleanings and exams, necessary x-rays, two emergency exams, and discounts on some treatments. Please reach out to us to learn more about this package.
- CareCredit — With CareCredit, you can get low-interest or interest-free financing, giving you the ability to make monthly payments for your dental treatment. It only takes a few minutes to apply and get approved; you can learn more at https://www.carecredit.com.
Need to Schedule An Appointment in Fishers, IN?
If you have questions about your dental insurance coverage, or if you’d like to speak with our dental team about making appointments before the end of the year, please give us a call! At Dentistry of Fishers, we strive to help every patient keep their teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime, and routine preventive care is one of the best ways to do just that.
Don’t let your insurance dollars go to waste! Feel free to reach out to our dental office at (317) 773-1618 for more information.
We look forward to hearing from you!