How To Get the Most Out of Your Dental Insurance Benefits

It’s well known that having dental insurance is important for oral health, but making informed decisions about your coverage can be tricky at the outset. Understanding the nuances of your dental plan and choosing an in-network dentist are key to maximizing your coverage.

Fortunately for AAA Northeast members living in Rhode Island, Delta Dental makes it easier than ever to find an affordable coverage plan that offers a range of benefits and is widely accepted by dentists throughout the state.

Take Stock of Your Needs

Healthcare needs differ considerably from person to person, so it’s important to find a plan that works best for you and your family. For example, a single adult with excellent oral health would need different coverage compared to a family where one or all the children need braces. Understanding these distinct needs is necessary, as you wouldn’t want to be stuck paying for coverage that you’ll never use, or vice versa.

Creating a thorough list of past, current and anticipated dental needs and expenses is a helpful process for evaluating and estimating overall costs when considering insurance policies.

Selecting a Plan

Depending on your location, you’ll have the choice of either PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations), DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization), a discount plan or Managed Fee-for-Service Plan. PPO plans, like Delta Dental’s plan for AAA members living in Rhode Island, offer reduced fees through in-network dentists. DHMO focuses on prevention with lower costs, smaller networks and potential savings. Discount plans provide direct fee payment, and a Managed Fee-for-Service Plan offers larger networks and uses coinsurance for coverage.

In-Network vs. Out-of-Network

Most insurance plans offer two cost structures – in-network and out-of-network. While still excellent care providers, out-of-network dentists often have higher costs due to the absence of pre-negotiated fees, which leads to increased out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

In addition to lower costs, in-network dentists simplify the administrative processes related to insurance claims. Since they are part of the insurance network, paperwork and claims become streamlined, making it more convenient for patients to navigate their insurance benefits.

Delta Dental has the largest network of dentists nationwide, so it’s easy to find and receive coverage from a dentist near you.

Getting the Most Out of Your Plan

Once you’ve picked the dental plan that’s right for you, there are still many ways to make sure you’re using all the resources available to get the most value.

Maintain a Thorough Understanding of Your Plan

It’s important to comprehensively understand the ins and outs of your dental insurance plan, which includes staying up to date on all changes, reviewing (and perhaps reevaluating) your benefits on a yearly basis and utilizing online directories or apps that make finding information and scheduling a whole lot easier.

If you have any questions or need more information on your plan and benefits, you can always reach out to your dental plan’s customer service professionals. With a 92% customer satisfaction rate, Delta Dental of Rhode Island provides service you can rely on.

Get Recommendations and Verify Services

Gather recommendations from friends, family or online reviews to find an in-network dentist. Before scheduling an appointment, verify the services covered by your insurance plan to avoid unexpected costs and ensure the best coverage.

Don’t Forget That Annual Check-Up!

Take advantage of your insurance benefits by scheduling regular check-ups and preventive care services with your in-network dentist. Many insurance plans prioritize preventive care, often covering these services with minimal or no out-of-pocket expenses.

In navigating the landscape of dental insurance, informed decisions are fundamental. Understanding your insurance plan, selecting an in-network dentist and prioritizing preventive care are important steps to optimize your benefits.

Leveraging the advantages of in-network care also helps to maximize your coverage by reducing out-of-pocket expenses and ensuring smoother administrative procedures. This strategic approach not only saves money but also fosters a more efficient and convenient dental care experience where individuals and families alike can guarantee complete oral health care without undue financial worries.

Exclusive rates on Delta Dental plans are available for AAA members in Rhode Island. Get your custom rate today.