‘Tis the Season to Smile
As part of our on-going commitment to help everyone in Owing Mills and the surrounding communities smile, we are proud to produce our first dental insurance newsletter.
As we head into 2019, our efforts to educate, inform and share will continue. We will do our best to pick topics of interest, and we will feature our amazing team and patients. In addition, we look forward to answering your questions.
We’ve decided to focus on the important topic of dental insurance for a few reasons. Please take a few minutes to read and learn. And, do not hesitate to give us a call with any concerns, questions or ideas – or to schedule your next appointment.
Use It or Lose $152 Billion!
Like most benefits at work, your dental insurance is very likely to reset on January 1, 2019. This means any amount of your annual maximum not used before then will be lost forever. In other words, you have paid for the benefits and will not receive them.
To help understand this better, let’s look at the numbers. According to a study by the American Dental Association (ADA), the average American with dental insurance receives only $323 of dental treatment a year. A typical plan has an annual maximum of $1,250. This means each of the 164 million people with private dental insurance is losing $927 per year. Do the math. This equals total, lost, dental benefits of $152 billion across America – every year.
While these figures help many insurance executives smile, it hurts your smile (and overall health) – not to mention those of your family, friends and neighbors. Be different. Take control. Call today and let us know you want to use it, not lose it.
Meet Darrell
Your Dental Insurance Concierge
If the idea of using your dental benefits before they expire sounds smart, Darrell is the person to know. She has been in the dental profession for 20 years and is an expert in all things related to dental insurance.
For most of us, understanding our benefits is like reading Greek. That is where a call to Darrell can make your life easier. She is likely to already know the in’s and out’s of your plan, and she will make sure you understand all of your benefits – including any out-of-pocket costs – before you start treatment. Do not take our word for it. Call her today!
Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease, Osteoporosis and Diabetes
Like most things in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Most people realize that regular visits to the dentist – along with a daily routine of brushing and flossing – can prevent costly dental issues. This is the reason most dental insurance plans cover 100% of the cost of preventive care. Also, it is why there are rarely out-of-pocket costs for routine check-ups and cleanings.
What most people do not recognize is the direct link between healthy mouths and healthy bodies. In fact, a quick look at the numbers is startling. A recent study found that people who did not have access to routine dental care were 67% more likely to have heart disease. 67%! In addition, these folks were 50% more likely to have osteoporosis and 29% more likely to suffer from diabetes.
Without a doubt, these are even more reasons to give us a call and to make sure your smile – and body – are healthy.
HSA’s Welcome
Across Maryland, more than 406,000 people have a Health Savings Account (HSA). In many cases, people use these accounts in conjunction with high-deductible medical insurance plans to cover the increased burden of out-of-pocket fees and co-pays.
Fortunately, these funds can also be used for all types of dental care. Whether you are looking to offset the cost of a check-up and cleaning or to replace that missing tooth with a dental implant, your HSA funds are as good as cash.
Give us a call today to learn more about how HSA’s can be your ticket to a beautiful smile.