It’s hard to believe this year is already coming to an end. Because you’re busy working, taking care of your family, and getting ready for the holiday season, you may not be thinking about your dental insurance benefits.
But the truth is, once New Year’s Eve arrives, it will be too late to take advantage of any unused portions of your coverage. If you pay for dental insurance, it’s essential to understand how it works so you can maximise your coverage and get the most out of your policy.
So, let’s explore how dental insurance works and what you can do before the clock strikes midnight on December 31.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
In Australia, dental insurance is voluntary coverage, giving you access to quality dental care for you and your loved ones when you need it.
Here’s how dental insurance works:
- Choose a policy — The first step is choosing a dental insurance policy that suits your family’s oral health needs. Several companies offer dental insurance, including Medibank, Bupa, HCF, NIB and AHM. If you have a specific dentist in mind, you’ll want to check to see if their clinic is an in-network provider or preferred provider. Lumino Smiles accepts all private health insurance.
- Pay your premiums — Once you choose your dental insurance, you’ll pay regular premiums to keep it active. Depending on the policy, you can make monthly, quarterly or yearly payments.
- Check the waiting period — For most dental insurance policies, you’ll have to wait a certain amount of time before you can turn in a claim. The waiting period is designed to keep people from getting insurance only when they need treatment right away.
- Know your benefit limits — Your policy probably has an annual benefit limit; this is the most you can claim in a calendar year. It’s important to know this amount so you can get the most from your coverage.
- Understand provider networks — Some insurance companies work with certain dental clinics, and if your dentist is a preferred provider with the company, it could save you money. You’ll want to ensure any dentist you visit is in-network with your insurance company.
- Complete the claiming process — After you receive dental treatment, you need to file a claim with your insurer so they can pay for the covered portion. Our dental clinic will file all claims on your behalf, so there’s no need to worry about it.
Tips on Maximising Your Coverage
There are some things you can do to get the most from your insurance premiums, including the following:
- Take advantage of preventive care — Most dental insurance covers routine check-ups, cleans and x-rays. And when you visit your Pascoe Vale dental clinic twice a year, it’s the best way to maintain good oral health and avoid more costly issues.
- Educate yourself about your policy — Ask questions about your annual maximum, reset dates and waiting periods. Knowing these details can help you pay less for the treatment you need. For example, if you have funds remaining for this year, try to book a visit now to take advantage of these funds.
- Split major work — If you need dental restorations or any other dental work that requires more than one visit, speak with our team about planning part of your treatment this year and the rest of your treatment next year, allowing you to take advantage of your annual maximum for each year.
- Utilise government schemes — The Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) provides up to $1,095 over two years for basic preventive care, so check to see if your children are eligible before choosing dental insurance for your family. You may only need to purchase dental insurance for you and your partner.
Need to Use Your Dental Benefits Before End of Year?
If you live in Pasco Vale or the surrounding area, our dental team will happily assist you with your oral health needs. At Lumino Smiles, we can file insurance claims on your behalf and answer any questions you may have about your coverage.
And if you don’t have insurance, we offer numerous other payment options to help you manage your treatment costs. We also accept Zip Pay, a flexible way to make payments over time.
For questions regarding your end-of-the-year benefits, or to arrange a visit, feel free to call us on (03) 9300 1061.
We hope to hear from you soon.