06 Nov Let’s Talk Dental Insurance and Open Enrollment with Dr. Krista Kunz of Magnolia Pediatric Dentistry in Mt. Pleasant, SC

It’s that time of year again … open enrollment for insurance plans! I know this sounds awful, but stay with me here for a minute and I might help you save some money. What does this mean for you? And how can you maximize your benefits for the amount of money you are investing in your insurance? Do you really need dental insurance? And don’t forget to schedule an appointment to see us before the end of the year!

Do your math. See exactly how much dental insurance is going to cost you for the year. You might look at the amount per paycheck and think it’s only going to cost me X dollars a paycheck. But when you multiply that out by 26 pay periods a year, the total amount can be surprising. You can always call to see what the fees are for your standard visits. If you take great care of you and your kids’ teeth and only expect preventative treatment like exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, and sealants, it doesn’t always make financial sense to pay for dental insurance as you may find that you are contributing more than you are getting in benefits.

Braces. If you or your child will be starting orthodontic treatment in this next year, dental insurance usually makes sense. Dr. Kunz always tries to let parents know when they can expect to start ortho treatment so you can plan ahead of time and save up for this cost. Keep in mind that dental insurances will only cover orthodontic treatment once per life. This means that if you or your child needs more than one phase of treatment, or retreatment, dental insurance will not pick up the tab.

Health Savings Accounts. If you have an HSA through your medical insurance, it’s a great idea to use it to pay for your dental visits. It may make sense for you and your family to sign up for a higher deductible medical insurance plan with the HSA benefit. In 2018, you can contribute up to $6,900 for families—which is not subject to federal income tax at the time of the deposit. If you don’t spend all of this money in the year, don’t worry. The interest gained on the account is tax free, and you will not have to pay taxes on the money as long as it is used for eligible health care expenses like braces and dental visits!

Benefits for this calendar year will generally expire on Dec. 31st. So if you’re due for an exam and cleaning, don’t forget to schedule with us and come in. If you’ve been delaying dental treatment, schedule to get it taken care of before the end of the year. Keep in mind, most insurances won’t “cover” an exam and cleaning unless it is six months AND one day from your last cleaning. Some patients find that if they delay or defer their exams and cleanings, that their insurance will only end up paying for one visit in that calendar year.

Call us any time with any questions! 843-996-6796