It’s that time of year again! The kids are heading back to school, the backpacks are coming out, and everyone is settling back into a fall routine. And while you may be done worrying about school supplies and homework, there’s one “back-to-school” tradition that applies to retirees too: it’s Medicare Open Enrollment time for retires too!
We know insurance isn't nearly as exciting as the changing leaves or seeing the grandkids head back to school, but we want to make sure you aren't surprised by changes to your dental coverage next year. Think of this letter as a friendly reminder from your dental team: before you simply check the box to renew the plan you've had, take a few minutes to see what's changed and what other options you may have.
We expect Medicare Advantage plans and their dental benefits to see some changes in the coming year. Changes to federal funding and Medicare Advantage policies could affect plan benefits, provider networks, premiums, deductibles, coverage limitations, and out-of-pocket costs.
We don't want any of our patients to be caught off guard.
We care about our patients, and we want you to have the information you need to make an educated decision about your coverage.
The Good News: You Have Options - Medicare Advantage plans are not your only option!
There are individual dental insurance plans available directly from many of the major insurance carriers. In addition, our office offers an in-house dental membership plan designed to provide an alternative for patients who don't have dental insurance or who find that traditional dental plans don't meet their needs.
Our in-house membership plan was created by Jerry and Britt Han after they experienced firsthand the challenge of finding good dental coverage options for their own retired parents. They wanted to create an option that would provide patients with straightforward, affordable access to preventive dental care, along with insurance-like discounts on larger restorative procedures. And importantly, the plan is designed without traditional insurance maximums and many of the limiting clauses that can make dental insurance confusing.
We Can't Tell You Which Plan to Choose
As your dental office, we are legally unable to recommend that you choose one particular insurance plan or coverage option over another.
What we can do is give you information so you can make an educated decision.
We've made this easier by adding information to our website specifically for retirees. Visit https://www.clearwaterdental.com/retirees/cp There, you'll find links and information about various coverage options, including resources for reviewing Medicare-related options, individual dental plans, and our in-house membership plan.
When comparing plans, we encourage you to look carefully at:
- Which dentists and specialists are in-network
- Annual maximums and deductibles
- Waiting periods
- Coverage percentages
- Coverage for major dental procedures
- Exclusions and limitations
- Changes to your current benefits
- Your expected out-of-pocket costs
- Your monthly premium
Most importantly, don't assume that the plan you've had in the past will provide the same benefits next year.
While, we cannot tell you which plan you should purchase, but we can help you understand how your coverage works at Clearwater Dental.
If you have questions about how a particular plan works with our office, we're happy to help you understand what we can about our participation, billing, and the dental benefits associated with your coverage.
So while you're watching the grandkids head back to school, take a little time this fall to do some homework of your own! A few minutes spent reviewing your coverage now could help prevent unexpected costs and surprises later.
Thank you for trusting us with your dental care. We appreciate the opportunity to care for you and your family, and we're always here to help.
Warmly,
The Clearwater Dental Smile Team