If you have a family dental insurance policy, you may be wondering how you can maximize its benefits, particularly if you have one or more kids. Get some top tips and advice in this blog from We Care Dental Care now.
Almost all dental plans cover 100% of the cost of two checkups per year for you and your kids. That includes teeth cleanings, oral exams, and usually an annual set of x-rays. To make the most of your plan, schedule checkups twice a year for all of your family members.
Children under 18 usually get coverage for dental sealants and fluoride treatments, which are often 100% paid for by your dental insurance policy. We recommend checking your policy for more information. Both of these preventive treatments are excellent at preventing cavities.
Most dental plans require a certain amount of “coinsurance” for your child’s procedures. This varies depending on the type of care, and usually uses the 100-80-50 model, where:
This is yet another reason your child’s oral health is so important. The better you care for their smile, the less you’ll pay out-of-pocket, since you can avoid common issues like cavities and infected teeth.
In-network dental providers will always provide care at a lower cost, since your insurance will cover more of your child’s treatment. At We Care Dental Care, we’re in-network with Aetna, Ameritas, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Delta Dental, and MetLife. Feel free to call at (540) 724-6335 to make sure we work with your insurer!
Dental plans usually have a yearly deductible between $25 and $250, and this is how much you must spend on your family’s dental care before your plan’s benefits begin to pay out.
Similarly, most plans also have an annual maximum of between $1,000 and $2,000 for your entire family. This is the maximum they will pay out in a given benefit period, which usually “rolls over” on January 1st each year.
Often, it’s possible to plan around this if you have multiple kids. One child can get fillings in December of one year, for example, with another child getting treatment in January when your annual maximum resets. At We Care Dental Care, we’ll always try to plan and maximize your benefits.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you keep your child’s smile healthy and ensure you maximize your dental plan’s benefits. Even if you don’t have insurance, though, we’re here to help. Dr. Burkitt provides cost-effective care in Roanoke, and our $99 New Patient Special will help your little one get started at our office for less. Contact us online or call at 540-427-7274 to get started.