policy.
Maximize
your dental
scheduling
Most
insurance
companies
have a benefits
“use it or by lose
it”
an
appointment
before pay
end
the
Calvert
County
11
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Paid year.
adveRtising
Thousands
in Times
Southern
for
dentistry
they
never
get done!
policy. The
Maximize
your Maryland
dental
benefits
by of
scheduling
In the
Our
Community
Thousands in Southern Maryland
pay for dentistry
they
done!
an appointment
before the
end never
of the get
year.
Paid adveRtising
by: jeff tomcsik
Research Reporter
Statistically about 50% of the local
population have dental insurance. Of that
percentage only 50% of them properly use
the dental benefits they are paying for. Most
of them have no idea what benefits they
have and how easy it is to lose them. To
make the most of their dental benefits the
consumer needs to understand how dental
insurance works.
by: jeff tomcsik
Research Reporter
likely never use the restorative benefit or at
least not much of it. In other words, a 30%
discount on something not being used or
purchased doesn’t hold any value.
likely never use the restorative benefit or at
least not much of it. In other words, a 30%
discount on something not being used or
purchased doesn’t hold any value.
who pay for dental insurance every year
but never go to the dentist are writing
a free check to the insurance company.
The insurance companies are keeping the
money they’ve earmarked for preventative
care as well as the entire annual maximum
for those patients. Putting off dentistry
until it hurts could easily escalate to $5000
worth of treatment or much more in one
year. The dental insurance company will
only contribute $1500 because that is the
average maximum on any given plan which
leaves the out-of-pocket due at $3500 for
the insured individual in this example.
Whereas, had they gone to the dentist every
year and had the work done as needed over
the course of four years, their out-of-pocket
may have been zero, as the $1500 per year
($1500 x 4 years = $6000) would have
covered $6000 over the four year period.
patients to see them as recommended but
can’t force anyone to do anything. This
is why they try to educate them about the
benefits that they have with their insurance
company, so that when they need work, they
understand how to best take advantage of
their insurance.
Most of the insurance plans pick up
who pay for the
dental
every
patients to see them as recommended but
entire or insurance
at least most of the
insured year
but never go consumers’
to the preventative
dentist maintenance.
are writing can’t force anyone to
do anything. This
This is usually the procedures that are
Most dental plans end at the end of a
a free check recommended
to the to insurance
is why they try to educate
them
the
be done twice per company.
year by
calendar years.
The about
average plan
allows
your hygienist. This may include cleanings,
for a $1500 annual maximum. Someone
Statistically about 50% of the local
The insurance x-rays,
companies
keeping
benefits that they have
with planned
their today
insurance
fluoride, exam, are
and the
like. The the
treatment
to have $3000 in
company would
you believe
restorative
done, can they
start the
population have dental insurance. Of that
money
they’ve insurance
earmarked
for have preventative
company, so that when
they treatment
need work,
Dental insurance plans
can be confusing.
they are the hero for paying for these visits,
procedures in November or December and
are several
components
to a well
dental as
percentage only 50% of them properly use Most of the insurance plans There
but the
in fact,
the consumer
paid for
them.
finish them
in January.
This will allow
pick
up
care
as
entire
annual
maximum
understand
how
to
best
take
advantage
of them
insurance plan. First there is the monthly They just allowed the consumer to spread
to take maximum advantage of the dental
the dental benefits they are paying for. Most the entire or at least most of the premium
that must for
be paid
by the
insured
those
patients.
dentistry
their insurance.
the payments Putting
out throughout off
the year
in
insurance they’ve paid for.
consumer, or in some cases their employer. monthly payments or weekly deductions
of them have no idea what benefits they consumers’ preventative maintenance.
hurts
escalate
to that
$5000
There is the discount until
that is it applied
to could
from their easily
payroll. Insured
individuals
Call your dental office. Ask them if they
the dental codes that the insurance don’t take advantage of their preventative
in-network
with your
insurance.
have and how easy it is to lose them. To This is usually the procedures all
that
are with
worth
of offices.
treatment
or
much
more
in
one Most dental plans are
end
at the
end
of If a they
company
negotiates
the dental
visits by seeing their hygienist twice a year
are, schedule an appointment for a cleaning
These
discounts
only year.
effect “in-network”
make the most of their dental benefits the recommended to be done twice per
are literally
throwing their money
away. It will
But the insurance
companies
do not let
and average
a checkup. See
if you have
any dental
year
by
The
dental
insurance
company
calendar
years.
The
plan
allows
dentists and usually average about 30% off would be the equivalent of paying for two annual maximums roll over. They have a work that needs to be done. Then ask your
consumer needs to understand how dental your hygienist. This may include cleanings,
the usual and customary
rate that
a person nights
only
contribute
$1500
because
is
the
$1500
annual
maximum.
in an upscale
hotel in DC that
but never
strict use it for
or you a lose
it policy. One
would dental
office what your Someone
annual limit is and
Lexington
without insurance would pay. Then there
is showing up for the stay! Park:
Who would do 301-862-3900
think that the insured consumer would be how much remains. If you have work that
insurance works.
x-rays, fluoride, exam, and the like.
maximum
on dental
any visits
given
which
treatment
planned
have
the annual The
maximum. average
This is the amount
that? These
are of plan
equivalent
able to accrue
his or her benefits
since they today
needs to to
be done,
use $3000
your annual in
benefit
that the insurance company is willing to value; but yet 25% of the insured public literally paid for them and did not use them. before the end of the year. Remember, if
insurance company would have you
believe
leaves
the
out-of-pocket
due
at
$3500
for
restorative
treatment
done,
can
start the
Frederick:
410-414-8333
Prince
pay on the insured’s behalf per year. This throws these visits they paid for away.
Not the case; leftover benefits become pure you don’t use it, you lose it.
typically
ranges between
$1000
and $3000 individual in this example.
Dental insurance plans can be confusing. they are the hero for paying for these
profit for procedures
the insurance companies.
The
visits,
the
insured
in November
or December and
on the plan and how much the Regular preventative maintenance visits insurance companies are in business to This article is curtesy of Tidewater Dental
410-394-6690
There are several components to a dental but in fact, the consumer paid depending
premium
is per month. Whereas, had Solomons:
for
them.
they
gone
dentist
every
finish
them
in
January.
drastically
reduce to
the the
likelihood
of major
make money,
not to save
smiles.
with This
locations will
is St. allow
Mary’s them
and Calvert
Paid adveRtising
restorative procedures in the future. It is
Counties. Visit them on the web at www.
insurance plan. First there is the monthly They just allowed the consumer Whileitcertainlyisabenefittotheconsumer
to spread year and had the
work
done
as needed
to take
maximum
of the dental
a known
fact that
preventative
dental care over
Dental providers
see patients
every day who advantage
TidewaterDental.com
Lusby:
410-326-4078
the lower fees that are negotiated not only
saves the their
integrity out-of-pocket
of the smile put off dentistry
and then struggle
to pay for
premium Maryland
that must pay
be paid
by the the they
ds in Southern
for dentistry
never
done! the to on have
payments
out get
throughout
year
in between
the the
course
of four
years,
insurance
they’ve
paid for.
their behalf
insurance
but it truly saves the patient from high cost the work they need to have done. It is very
company
and
the
dental
practices
that
are
consumer,
or
in
some
cases
their
employer.
restorative
care
in the
the future.
sad for both the dental provider who wants
monthly
payments
or recommended
weekly but deductions
may
have
been
zero,
as
$1500
per
year
likely never use the restorative benefit or at who pay for dental insurance every
year patients
to see them as
to help the patient and for the patient who
least not much
it. In other
words, a 30%
go to the dentist
writing can’t force anyone to do anything. This in-network, this discount doesn’t make the
There
is of the
discount
that but is never applied
to are company.
annual fees
worth the x
value.
their
payroll.
Insured
individuals
($1500
4 years
$6000)
would
your by dental
office. Ask them if they
The dental =
insurance
company
wins when have
is in pain Call
or embarrassed
the condition
discount on something not being used or a free check to the insurance from
is why
they try to educate
them about
the cost of the that
Those who have a healthy smile, would the patient waits to go to the dentist. Those of their smile. Dental providers want their
0% of the local all
purchased
doesn’t
hold any codes
value.
The
insurance
companies are keeping
the
benefits
that
they
have
with
their
insurance
the
dental
that
the
insurance
don’t
take
advantage
of
their
preventative
covered
$6000
over
the
four
year
period.
are
in-network
with
your insurance. If they
insurance. Of that
money they’ve earmarked for preventative company, so that when they need work, they
negotiates
offices.
of them properly use company
Most of the insurance
plans with
pick up the
care dental
as well as the
entire annual visits
maximum by understand
how
to best hygienist
take advantage twice
of
seeing
their
a
year
are,
schedule
an
appointment
for a cleaning
are paying for. Most the entire or at least most of the insured for those patients. Putting off dentistry their insurance.
only effect
literally throwing their money away. It But the insurance companies do not let and a checkup. See if you have any dental
what benefits they These
consumers’ discounts
preventative maintenance.
until “in-network”
it hurts could easily escalate are
to $5000
is to lose them. To dentists
This is usually
procedures average
that are worth
of treatment
much more in one Most dental plans end at the end of a
and the usually
about
30% or off
would
the years.
equivalent
of paying
for two annual maximums roll over. They have a work that needs to be done. Then ask your
dental benefits the recommended to be done twice per year by year. The dental insurance company
will be
calendar
The average plan
allows
a “use
it or limit
lose
it”
derstand how dental the
your hygienist.
include cleanings, rate
only that
contribute
$1500 because that
is the in
for an
a $1500
annual maximum.
Someone
usual This
and may customary
a person
nights
upscale
hotel
in
DC
but
never strict use it or you lose it Most
policy. insurance
One would companies
dental office have
what your
annual
is and
x-rays, fluoride, exam, and the like. The average maximum on any given plan which treatment planned today to have $3000 in
without
insurance
would
pay.
Then
there
is
policy.
Maximize
your
dental
benefits
by
scheduling
insurance company would have you believe leaves the out-of-pocket due at showing
$3500 for restorative
the would do
up for treatment
the done,
stay! can start
Who
think that the insured consumer would be how much remains. If you have work that
s can be confusing. they are the hero for paying for these visits, the insured individual in this example. procedures in November or December and
maximum.
This Whereas,
is the
amount
that?
dental
of equivalent able to accrue his or her benefits
since they needs
to be the
done, end
use of
your
annual
ponents to a dental the
but in annual
fact, the consumer
paid for them.
had they
gone to the dentist
every These
finish them
in January. visits
This will are
allow them
an appointment
before
the
year. benefit
there is the monthly that
They just
the consumer to
spread year and
the work done
over to take maximum advantage of the dental
the allowed
insurance
company
is had willing
to as needed
value;
but
yet they’ve
25%
of the insured public literally paid for them and did not use them. before the end of the year. Remember, if
be paid by the the payments out throughout the year in the course of four years, their out-of-pocket
insurance
paid for.
ases their employer. pay
on payments
the insured’s
behalf may
per
monthly
or weekly deductions
have year.
been zero, This
as the $1500
per year these visits they paid for away.
throws
Not the case; leftover benefits become pure you don’t use it, you lose it.
that is applied to from their payroll. Insured individuals that ($1500 x 4 years = $6000) would have Call your dental office. Ask them if they
ranges
between
and over
$3000
that the insurance typically
profit for the insurance companies. The
don’t take advantage
of their
preventative $1000
covered $6000
the four year period.
are in-network with your insurance. If they
th the dental offices. visits by seeing their hygienist twice a year
are, schedule an appointment for a cleaning
on the plan and how much the Regular
maintenance
visits insurance companies are in business to This article is curtesy of Tidewater Dental
effect “in-network” depending
are literally throwing their money away. It But the insurance companies do
not let and preventative
a checkup. See if you have
any dental
erage about 30% off premium
would be the equivalent
paying for two annual maximums roll over. They
have a work that
needs to be the
done. likelihood
Then ask your of major
is per of month.
Lexington
drastically
reduce
make money, not
to save smiles. Park: 301-862-3900
with locations is St. Mary’s and Calvert
ry rate that a person nights in an upscale hotel in DC but never strict use it or you lose it policy. One
would dental office what your annual limit is and
d pay. Then there is showing up •
for the
stay! Who Dental
would do think Insurances
that the insured consumer restorative
would
be how much
remains. •
If you Interest
have the
work that
procedures
in
future.
It is Payment Lexington
Counties.
Visit them on the web at www.
•
Implant
Dentistry
Free
Plans
Most
Accepted
This is the amount that? These dental visits are of equivalent able to accrue his or her benefits since they needs to be done, use your annual benefit
Park:
301-862-3900
Frederick:
410-414-8333
Prince
mpany is willing to Whileitcertainlyisabenefittotheconsumer
fact
preventative
Dental providers
see patients
every day who TidewaterDental.com
value; but yet 25% of the insured public literally paid for them and did not a use known
them. before
the that
end of the
year. Remember, if dental care
ehalf per year. This throws these visits they paid for away.
the case;
leftover benefits become pure you don’t use it, you lose it.
the Orthodontist
lower fees that Not
are
negotiated
not The
only saves the • integrity
of the smile
put off dentistry
and Frederick:
then struggle to • pay Anxiety
for
en $1000 and $3000 to have •
410-414-8333
Prince
profit for
the insurance
companies.
Free Options
Cosmetic
Surgery
On
Staff
Solomons:
410-394-6690
and how much the on
Regular
preventative
maintenance
visits
insurance
companies
are in business
to truly
This article
is curtesy
of patient
Tidewater Dental
their
behalf
between
the
insurance
but
it
saves
the
from
high
cost
the
work
they
need
to
have
done.
It
is
very
drastically reduce the likelihood of major make money, not to save smiles.
with locations is St. Mary’s and Calvert
Solomons:
410-394-6690
company
and in the
dental
restorative procedures
the future.
It is practices that are
Counties.
the web at www.
restorative
care Visit in them
the on future.
sad for both the
dental provider
who
wants
Lusby:
nefittotheconsumer a known fact
preventative dental care
Dental providers see patients
every day
who TidewaterDental.com • Cable TV in Every Room
• 410-326-4078
Virtual
Smile Makeover
• that Needle
Free/Drill
Free
Options
discount
make
the struggle
that are negotiated in-network,
to help the patient and for the patient
who
not only saves the this
integrity
of the smile doesn’t
put off dentistry
and then
to pay for
een the insurance but it truly saves the patient from high cost the work they need to have done. It is very
Lusby:
410-326-4078
cost
of
the
annual
fees
worth
the
value.
The wants dental insurance company wins when is in pain or embarrassed by the condition
al practices that are restorative care in the future.
sad for both the dental provider who
nt doesn’t make the Those who
to help
the patient
and for the patient who
• their
Invisalign (clear braces)
• to Digital
X-rays
less radiation)
• One
Dental
Practice
have a Stop
healthy
smile,
would
patient waits to go
the dentist.
Those (80%
of their smile.
Dental providers want
es worth the value. The dental insurance company wins when is in pain or embarrassed by the the
condition
Schedule your appointment today!
The practices of David J. Cooper, DDS
w ww.TidewaterDental.com
Don’t let your money blow away!
Schedule your appointment today!
Schedule your
appointment
today!
The practices
of David J. Cooper, DDS
The practices of David J. Cooper, DDS
ealthy smile, would
the patient waits to go to the dentist. Those
w ww.TidewaterDental.com
www.TidewaterDental.com
of their smile. Dental providers want their
Don’t let your money blow away!
Don’t &
let ask
your
blow insurance
away!
Call today
us money
about your
benefits before their
December
expiration today!
date.
Schedule
your appointment
Most insurance companies have a “use it or lose it”
policy. Maximize your dental benefits by scheduling
an appointment before the end of the year.
The practices of David J. Cooper, DDS
Lexington Park: 301-862-3900
Most insurance companies have a Prince
“use
it 410-414-8333
or lose it”
Frederick:
Solomons: 410-394-6690
Lusby: by
410-326-4078
policy. Maximize your dental benefits
scheduling
w ww.TidewaterDental.com
an appointment before the end of the year.
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& ask us about before
your insurance
benefits
before their December
expiration date. date.
Schedule
appointment
today!
Call today
today
ask your
us about
about your
your
insurance
benefits
their
December
expiration
Call
& & ask
us
insurance
benefits
before
their
December
expiration
date.
The practices of David J. Cooper, DDS
Lexington Park: 301-862-3900
Prince Frederick: 410-414-8333
Solomons: 410-394-6690
Lusby: 410-326-4078
w ww.TidewaterDental.com
ental Insurances Accepted • Interest Free Payment Plans
ontist On Staff
Free/Drill Free Options
op Dental Practice
• Implant Dentistry
• Cosmetic Surgery • Anxiety Free Options
• Cable TV in Every Room • Virtual Smile Makeover
• Digital X-rays (80% less radiation) • Invisalign (clear braces)
Schedule your appointment today!
The practices of David J. Cooper, DDS
& ask us about your insurance benefits before their December expiration date.
Lexington Park: 301-862-3900
Prince Frederick: 410-414-8333
Solomons: 410-394-6690
Lusby: 410-326-4078