November 2018 Newsletter

Record Employment Levels Provide Many Reasons to Smile

As we turn the corner on the start of 2019, it is a great time to be living and working in Texas. The commitment of our region to higher education and equal access to health care are just two reasons why unemployment is at a record low rate of 4%.

For many, this means bigger paychecks and better benefits. Consistently, dental insurance is one of the most popular benefits for working families, and it’s why we file insurance claims for patients that have dental insurance. We want to make it easy for your entire family to have healthy, beautiful smiles.

We realize you’re always busy and often during the Christmas season, even busier. For many, the end of the year is the best time to get dental work done. Your deductibles have been met, you’re way below your annual benefit limits, and we can often sequence treatment to help you utilize both 2018 and 2019 benefits for more extensive treatment. Best of all, you can have a beautiful, new smile for all those holiday photos.

With all this in mind, here are some important things to know as you make plans to use your dental insurance benefits – before they reset for 2019!

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 by 12/31/18 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.

Have Questions? Contact Us

Weatherford’s Dental Insurance Concierge

If the idea of using your dental benefits before they expire sounds smart, give Cynthia a call. This is what she lives and breathes. She has more than a 34 years of experience in dentistry, including 15 years as part of our team. Most importantly, she is an expert in all things related to dental insurance.

Cynthia is likely to already know the ins and outs of your plan, and she’ll make sure you understand all of your benefits – including any out-of-pocket costs – before you start treatment. Call her today at 817-594-7302!

Healthy Smiles = Healthy Lives

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’s why there are rarely out-of-pocket costs for routine check-ups and cleanings.

What most people don’t 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 Texas, more than 1.9 million 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 Cynthia a call today to learn more about how HSA’s can be your ticket to a beautiful smile.

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