The Time is Now – Using Insurance Coverage Before 2022 Ends

Did you know that every year thousands of Canadians are left with unused dental benefit coverage? This unused insurance coverage could have gone to obtaining important dental care, but once the year ends, those unused benefits disappear as plans reset December 31st. 

Here’s what you need to know to make sure you aren’t losing valuable dental insurance dollars every year that could be going towards your dental treatment plan.

The weather is cooler, the days are shorter, and we all wonder how another year has gone by so fast! It’s also the time of year where dental insurance plans are nearing their re-set point, and your unused benefits vanish as allowances are topped back up at the start of another claims period. Why not take advantage of those benefits while you still can? After all, keeping our mouths healthy and strong has a significant impact on our overall quality of life, so it’s important to do everything we can to take care of our dental health.

What Kinds Of Treatments Are Usually Covered By Dental Insurance Plans?

There are a wide range of dental procedures that are covered by dental insurance plans and corporate health benefit packages, but they are not all-encompassing. In general, these plans will cover essential services such as regular dental checkups and cleanings, x-rays, tooth extractions, and other types of standard dental treatments, but they do not always extend to include elective procedures. For example, teeth whitening, dental veneers, and other types of procedures which are considered cosmetic treatments, might not be covered at all.

Other treatments that fall somewhere in the middle, braces for example, may be covered by some dental insurance policies, but not by others. Even if they are part of a benefits plan, it’s common for only certain types of braces to be included. Metal braces are considered to be the standard type of orthodontics by many plans, so other types such as clear ceramic braces or Invisalign invisible braces may not be covered. 

Although all dental benefits policies will vary slightly in terms of the types of procedures that are covered, they all usually have one thing in common. This being the fact that there are limits on the amount that can be claimed or reimbursed for each type of treatment, for each person covered under the plan. For many people this means that they sometimes exceed their allotments in a year and will have to pay out of pocket for certain treatments, while other procedures are still covered when January 1st rolls around.

How Do I Know How Much Coverage I Have Left On My Dental Insurance Benefits?

The only way to be 100% certain about how much coverage you still have available is to contact your benefits provider or dental insurance plan manager to check and confirm what allotments have been used this year and what has not. In most cases, a simple phone call is all it will take to get the answer you need. Some dental insurance providers will offer their customers online access to their benefits accounts, or even through a smartphone app, so they can keep on top of their benefits usage at all times.

If you don’t already have a dental treatment plan in place with us, you can always give us a call at 705-710-2525 for guidance, as well as to obtain more information about the estimated costs of certain types of procedures and treatments. This information will help you determine how to maximize your benefits and get the essential dental care that you and your family are entitled to. Of course, if you just generally need some helpful dental health advice or have questions you would like to get answered by one of our dentists, we’re here to help with that, too!

So, while you still have time left this year to use that available coverage for the benefit of your dental health and that of your family, let’s take a quick look at some of the popular procedures you might be interested in.

Popular Procedures You Can Book To Maximize Dental Insurance Benefits

Dental Hygiene, Descaling & Fluoride Treatments – If you perhaps missed a dental checkup or cleaning appointment this year, now’s a great time to get caught up. If you or someone in your family is due for a checkup, tooth descaling, or fluoride treatment, let’s get that appointment booked so you can have it claimed and reimbursed before the end of the year! Your smile will look great, and you’ll feel good about it.

X-Rays & Updated Dental Imaging Scans – X-rays are usually done every couple of years for most adults, so if you’re getting close to when your next set of dental x-rays are due, why not get in before the end of the year and check it off your to-do list? If you’re not sure when your last scans or x-rays were done, just give Georgian Dental a call and we’ll let you know if you’re due for a new set. It’s an easy process, and critical to your dental health.

Fillings, Root Canals & Tooth Repair – Did your hygienist or dentist discover something in one of your teeth during your appointment that needs to be fixed up? Things like cavity fillings, root canals, dental bonding, and dental crowns are often covered under the restorative dental work category of most insurance plans. This is the type of work you always want to get done as soon as possible, so contact us today to schedule your procedure. 

Mouthguards & Night-Guards – Are you a nighttime tooth grinder? A dental night-guard will help solve that problem and prevent the long-term problems often associated with tooth grinding. Athletes will also want to take advantage of available benefits to get a new sports mouthguard. You’ve got to protect those teeth when you’re playing contact sports like hockey or football. Dental benefit plans usually cover both types of mouthguards.

Book Now & Get Your Dental Work Covered Under This Year’s Insurance Benefits Before It Disappears!

There’s no time to waste! The clock is ticking and the 31st of December will be here before you know it. Book your appointment with Georgian Dental today to take advantage of those dental benefits that are just sitting there, waiting for you to use them. You’ll feel great about making the most of your dental insurance, and your smile will definitely show it!