You’ve gone through open enrollment and vaguely remember the PowerPoint slides reviewing the changes to your dental plan, or you try to find the web pages you browsed for an individual plan. But when it’s time to use your benefits, it’s easy to forget those little changes to your dental benefits plan.
Keeping your dental benefits in order might sound like a chore, but getting a head start on your benefit game plan could ease a few headaches down the road.
Plan how you can use your dental benefits now for a stress-free year.
Make a checklist
Start with the basics — make a list of preventive services you know you’ll need. The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist twice a year for cleanings and check-ups. Schedule appointments ahead with your dental office, and if you know you’ll need additional dental work like fillings or crowns, pencil those in, too.
Study your coverage
Once you know what procedures you’ll need, take a minute to look over your plan. Familiarize yourself with dental insurance basics. What’s your deductible? What about your annual maximum? Most plans cover a percentage of procedures up to a specific dollar amount. Review your benefits contract so you know what’s covered. Click here to log into your account.
Construct a timeline
Work with your dental team to develop a treatment schedule. If you’re unsure if a procedure or treatment will be covered, your dentist can always submit a pre-determination estimate for an estimation of benefit coverage. You can also use our dental cost estimator tool to get cost ranges for common dental care needs.
Write it down
A lot can happen in a year! Keep track of any insurance use throughout the year. This will keep your mind fresh when selecting the best plan for you come next open enrollment.
Here’s to a happy, healthy new year!
Looking for great dental coverage at an affordable price? Shop Delta Dental plans now to protect your smile.