Dental insurance is a valuable tool that helps make oral health care more affordable. However, navigating the details of your plan and maximizing its benefits can sometimes be confusing. Here are a few ways to get the most out of your dental insurance in Las Vegas:
- Schedule Your First Checkup Early in the Year
- Understand Your Coverage Details
- Verify Coverage with Your Provider – Verify with BDG today!
- Discuss Treatment Costs with Your Dentist
- Take Advantage of Preventative Care Coverage
- Ask About Pre-Authorization for Major Procedures
- Coordinate Between Multiple Plans
- Make Use of a Health Savings Account (FSA or HSA)
Let’s go over each of these tips in more detail to help you understand how to get the most out of your dental plans.
Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Dental Insurance in Las Vegas
Schedule Your First Visit Early in the Year
Most dental insurance plans in Las Vegas (and elsewhere) include coverage for two preventative care visits per year, such as cleanings and exams. To fully utilize this benefit, it’s best to schedule your first visit early in the calendar year. This ensures there’s enough time to fit in your second visit later, helping you avoid missing out on covered services.
Preventative care appointments are a great opportunity to address minor issues before they become more significant—and more expensive. Planning your first visits early in the year can also help you meet your deductible sooner (more on this in the next section).
Confused about your insurance benefits or how to use them?
Give us a call at 702-388-8888. We’ll help you get the most out of your Las Vegas insurance!
Understand Your Plan’s Annual Maximum and Deductible
Most dental insurance plans include an annual maximum—the total amount the insurance will pay for dental services in a year—and a deductible, the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before coverage begins. Familiarize yourself with these limits and plan your treatments accordingly.
For example, planning your first preventative cleanings early in the year will give you more time to meet your deductible, especially if you require additional assistance later on, such as fillings for cavities. On the other hand, if you’re approaching your annual maximum, consider delaying non-urgent treatments until the next year to take full advantage of your benefits.
Verify Coverage With Your Dental Practice
There are a lot of insurance plans available in Las Vegas. Before scheduling an appointment, always confirm that the dental practice accepts your insurance plan. Dental insurance networks can change, and some plans have restrictions on which dentists you can visit. Contact the office directly or check their website to verify their participation in your network. Additionally, consider reaching out to your insurance provider for a list of in-network dentists in Las Vegas to streamline your search.
BDG accepts more than 40 different kinds of Las Vegas insurance plans
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Discuss Costs With Your Dentist
Understanding insurance coverage can be difficult, but your dentist and their team can help. Don’t be afraid to discuss the financial aspects of your treatment with your dentist. Consider requesting an estimate of treatment costs, the expected insurance coverage, and your final out-of-pocket expenses before moving forward with any procedures. Many dental offices are happy to provide a breakdown of costs and work with you to maximize your insurance benefits. This transparency can help you avoid surprises and make it easier to budget and plan for payments.
Take Advantage of Preventative Services
Preventative services like cleanings, exams, and X-rays are often fully or mostly covered by dental insurance. Scheduling these regular visits not only keeps your teeth and gums healthy, but also helps you avoid more costly treatments down the road. Preventative care is the foundation of maintaining good oral health and getting the most of your insurance coverage. Preventative care is also essential for your overall health, and can help you avoid other health risks.
Ask About Pre-Authorization for Major Treatments
For significant dental procedures like crowns, root canals, or orthodontics, many insurance plans require pre-authorization before they will cover the treatment. Your dental office can help submit the necessary paperwork, but it’s important to start this process early to avoid delays. Pre-authorization ensures that the treatment is approved by your insurance provider and that you understand your share of the cost upfront.
Coordinate Benefits if You Have Two Insurance Plans
If you’re covered by two dental insurance plans—such as your own and a spouse’s plan—you may be eligible for coordination of benefits. This means the secondary insurance can cover costs not fully paid by the primary insurance. Be sure to inform your dentist’s office about both plans so they can help you maximize your combined benefits.
Use Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings accounts (HSA), consider using those funds to cover out-of-pocket dental expenses. These accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for health-related costs, including dental treatments. This can reduce the financial burden of co-pays, deductibles, or treatments not fully covered by insurance.
How to Choose the Right Las Vegas Dentist for Your Insurance
To get the most out of your dental insurance in Las Vegas, start by selecting the right dentist. Ask friends or family members for recommendations, or search online for highly-rated practices in Las Vegas. Many local Facebook groups or forums can also provide helpful recommendations. Finally, verify that the dentist is in-network and has experience working with your specific insurance provider to simplify billing and claims.
You can verify your insurance with BDG fast and easily online. We’ll help you understand your plan and work with you to ensure you are aware of costs before any appointments or procedures. Make an appointment online today or call 702-388-8888.
