Welcome to 2023! With the new year comes new beginnings, resolutions, and the best part – insurance resets! Dental insurance benefits typically reset at the beginning of the year, making room for your child to get preventative care and any needed dental treatment either free or at a more accessible price. A common myth is that caring for baby teeth doesn’t matter since children eventually lose them . . . but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Caring for your child’s teeth from a young age helps to prevent cavities and tooth decay, both of which can delay the development of permanent teeth. So it’s important to keep up with their routine check-ups!
What is preventive care?
While plans vary, most dental insurance providers cover preventative care in full. Preventative care often includes oral exams, professional cleanings, and X-rays. These all can help to monitor your child’s oral health and ensure that they aren’t developing anything concerning such as cavities.
What is an annual maximum?
An annual maximum is the most a dental insurance provider will pay toward your dental work in a given benefit year. This amount can vary depending on the type of plan you have. At the beginning of a new benefit year, your annual maximum resets, so the entire amount is available again. Any unused funds do not roll over, so it’s a good idea to take full advantage of them.
Does this mean dental work will be free?
Even if the entire amount of your maximum allowance is available, there may still be a cost associated with your child’s treatment. Your annual maximum applies only to the portion your dental insurance plan pays on your behalf. This means that any deductibles or copays that you pay do not count towards your annual maximum. Once the annual maximum is reached, any further dental services your child receives are 100% your responsibility to pay until the next plan year.
Make oral health a priority this year!
This new year, take advantage of your dental benefits and make your child’s oral health a priority. If you have any questions about treatment options available to your child or would like to make an appointment, give us a call or schedule online
