When your child has special needs, it’s easy to just focus on finding them dental care. The search is tricky – not every dentist can treat patients with disabilities. That said, don’t let yourself neglect the payment side. You should try to get the most from your kid’s dental insurance. Luckily, your Grand Prairie dentist can offer some tips to that effect. Here are four great ways to maximize your unique child’s dental benefits.
Remember Your Deductible
As great as it would be, insurance isn’t an automatic thing. Your child’s plan benefits won’t “kick in” at will. For them to take effect, you should remember and manage your deductible.
Simply put, a deductible is what you pay before a plan’s coverage starts. It’s the out-of-pocket amount you handle yourself. As such, you’ll want to watch over your deductible for your child’s sake. You must meet it before you can get any discounts on their care.
Schedule a 2nd Dental Checkup
Yes, taking a disabled child to a dental checkup can be tiring. Just getting them to the dentist’s office may challenge you. However, it’s best if they get a 2nd checkup before year’s end.
If you didn’t know, your child should have two dental checkups yearly. The visits let a dentist assess them for cavities, gum disease, etc. Better yet, most dental plans fully cover both appointments. That means your kiddo will get quality dental work at little cost to you.
Employ the 100-80-50 Rule
Like many, you may not know what your child’s dental plan covers. That’s only natural – every policy is different. Still, you can keep a better track by following the 100-80-50 rule.
The 100-80-50 rule is a guideline for how dental coverage (often) works. Its “100” refers to how plans fully cover preventive care. Furthermore, the rule’s “80” means policies cover 80% of basic treatments like fillings and root canals. Lastly, its “50” indicates how plans cover 50% of major procedures (dental crowns, etc.)
Don’t Delay Needed Care
While delays can seem practical, don’t put off your child’s dental care. Waiting past January 1st will cause you to lose out on benefits.
You see, dental benefits don’t “roll over” from year to year. Your plan resets once January begins. In other words, you’d pay your deductible (again) to regain your coverage. Those changes would add to your child’s treatment expenses. To avoid them, have your kid get needed services before the new year.
Everyone benefits when you get the most from your kid’s dental insurance. Therefore, note the tricks above in the coming days!
About the Practice
Disability Dental Services is based in Grand Prairie, TX. Led by Dr. Frank E. Ford, our practice excels at treating special needs patients. For kids and adults alike, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services. Our team also offers dental emergency care and oral sedation options. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (972)-296-0101.