As 2020 is fast coming to a close, so too are your unclaimed health benefits. Did you know, for example, that most medical and dental health benefits have a cut-off point of the 31st December and therefore, any ‘extras’ that you haven’t claimed for, are not rolled over and instead are simply lost?
If not, then it’s definitely something you should be aware of and in reality, it’s a case of ‘use it or lose it! So, as the calendar is counting down towards the end of the year, now is the time to squeeze the most out of dental health benefits.
Here are some hints and tips of how you can do exactly that…
Tip 1 – Book An Appointment
While it may seem somewhat obvious, you won’t be able to make a claim if you don’t actually book a dental appointment. So, if you’ve been putting off that dental treatment or are overdue a dental check-up now is the time to seek the dental care you need. Of course, it’s always worth checking the small print on your medical policy to see how much dental health cover you have left or what dental services are covered, but in the main, making an appointment is a good start.
Tip 2 – Ask Your Dentist To Work With You
When trying to squeeze the most out of your dental ‘extras’ cover it really pays to be upfront and honest with your dentist. Let’s say, for example, you visit your dentist for a general check-up and clean but on closer inspection, they suggest that you also need a couple of cavities filled.
If by chance you’ve already used up most of your annual limit for general dental treatment, then you might want to be open and honest with your dentist and tell them that you don’t have enough extras cover remaining from your dental health benefits to accommodate tooth fillings right now. This being the case, then your dentist may suggest that you claim any remaining extras cover on your dental check-up and suspend any dental treatment for your cavities until after the reset period in a few months’ time.
Working with your dentist in this way saves you money and gets you the dental care you need. It really is a win/win situation.
Tip 3 – Taking Out a Higher Premium
Here’s the thing… if you already know you are likely to need costly dental care in the coming months then it may pay you to buy more extras coverage. While this may seem pretty counterintuitive, the process might actually save you money in the long-run and here’s why…
Let’s say you start the new year with a basic extra’s coverage on your dental health fund but you have multiple dental treatments booked in for say February. It’s feasible, therefore, that any extras cover you do have could all be used up during the first part of the year.
The problem is that if you are then in need of unexpected dental care later on during the year, it may leave you with a costly dilemma.
With this in mind, it might therefore be beneficial to reduce any expenses you are likely to incur by purchasing the extra benefit cover you need to see you through. The idea being that the amount of cash you may spend on purchasing extra benefit cover is likely to be offset by the savings you make on any further dental care you may (unexpectantly) need – It’s something you might want to consider anyway.
Tip 4 – Consider Undergoing Long-Term Treatments
Believe it or not, now may be the time to consider undergoing long term or split dental services or treatments such as bridgework or orthodontic procedures.
How so?
Typically, most dentists are able to divide the cost of longer-term or split treatments such as orthodontics or certain restorative dental services meaning that it isn’t always necessary to bear the cost of the full amount for treatment right away.
Again, by being upfront with your dentist, they may be able to work it so that you can claim any remaining benefits you have now on a part payment for treatment and the remaining balance can be claimed at the start of the new year once your treatment is complete. Of course, this might not work in every case, but it’s certainly worth asking the question.
Tip 5 – Know Your Policy
When it comes to dental health benefits, insurers are notorious for making simple things sound complicated. With this in mind, it really pays to know your policy with regards to how much your extras coverage is and how it works, but also the type of dental care your policy covers.
If in doubt, it’s definitely worth calling your provider and getting them to give you a breakdown with regards to eligibility and what you can claim for. Having a good handle on your extras cover means that you’re unlikely to get any nasty surprises when it comes to accessing the dental services or dental care you may need.
Need a Dental Appointment? Call Our Castle Hill Dentist Today!
If you haven’t had a dental check-up for a while and are looking to off-set it against any remaining extras cover you have, then now’s the time to book an appointment. Here at Beyond Infinity Dental, we can help you with your dental health benefits coverage so that you get the dental services you need when you need them most.
Call the team on (02) 8806 3799 or book online.
