20 Jun
Your Devoted Health dental plan is a valuable benefit, but only if you know how to use it. Many members leave significant money on the table every year simply because they’re not familiar with how dental insurance works and what steps lead to the lowest possible out-of-pocket costs. The good news: a few simple strategies can make a meaningful difference in how much you spend on dental care each year.
This guide breaks down three practical ways Devoted Health members can get the most value from their dental benefits, from taking full advantage of free preventive care to planning treatment strategically around your plan’s annual maximum.
1. Use Your Preventive Benefits: They’re Already Paid For
The single most impactful thing you can do to reduce your dental costs is also the simplest: show up for your routine cleanings and exams. Devoted Health dental plans cover preventive services, including cleanings, comprehensive exams, and X-rays, at 100%. That means no copay, no coinsurance, no cost to you whatsoever, as long as you see an in-network provider.
And yet, millions of insured Americans skip these visits every year. Some feel healthy and assume there’s nothing to check. Others mean to go but let scheduling fall to the bottom of the to-do list. The result is the same: small problems go undetected, grow into bigger problems, and eventually cost far more to treat.
What’s Typically Covered at 100%
- Two routine cleanings per year (prophylaxis)
- Two comprehensive or periodic exams per year
- Dental X-rays
- Fluoride treatments (for eligible members)
These benefits don’t roll over. If you don’t use your two covered cleanings in a calendar year, they’re gone, and you’ve effectively paid for them through your premiums without receiving any value. Think of preventive visits as prepaid appointments that are already sitting on your account. All you have to do is book them.
1. Prevention Is the Cheapest Treatment There Is
Beyond the direct cost savings of using zero-cost benefits, preventive visits pay dividends by heading off expensive restorative work. A cavity caught at a routine exam is a $150-$300 filling. That same cavity, left another year until it reaches the tooth’s nerve, becomes a $900-$1,600 root canal, followed by a $1,000-$1,800 crown to protect the compromised tooth.
As a Devoted Health member, attending your two preventive dental visits each year is one of the best ways to prevent dental disease. If you take nothing else away from this article, take this: schedule your next cleaning today.
2. Always Choose an In-Network Dentist
When it comes to keeping your out-of-pocket dental costs low, few decisions matter more than whether you choose an in-network or out-of-network dentist. The difference isn’t just about whether a claim gets paid. It’s about a layered set of savings that compound on top of each other.
Contracted Rates: The First Layer of Savings
When a dentist joins Devoted Health’s network, they agree to a contracted fee schedule, which is a set of negotiated rates for every covered procedure that is typically significantly lower than the dentist’s standard retail price. These discounts commonly range from 20% to 50% off the dentist’s regular fees, depending on the procedure and the market.
This matters because your cost-sharing (the percentage of the bill you’re responsible for) is calculated based on this already-reduced contracted rate, not the dentist’s full retail price. In other words, your share is a percentage of a smaller number to begin with.
Coinsurance: The Second Layer of Savings
Your Devoted Health plan uses a coinsurance model for major services, meaning the plan pays a percentage of the allowed amount and you pay the rest. For example, if your plan covers crowns at 50%, the plan pays 50% of the contracted rate and you pay the remaining 50%.
Here’s how this plays out in real numbers: Suppose a crown has a retail price of $1,800. An in-network dentist’s contracted rate might be $1000. Your plan pays 50% of $1000, which is $500, and you owe the remaining 50%, which is $500. Compare that to an out-of-network provider who charges the full $1,800, where your plan may only cover a limited “usual, customary, and reasonable” (UCR) amount, potentially leaving you responsible for $1,200 or more for the same procedure.
The combination of contracted rates and coinsurance means that seeing an in-network dentist can reduce your out-of-pocket cost for the same procedure by 50% or more compared to going out of network. Over the course of a year, especially a year with any restorative work, that adds up to real money.
Balance Billing: The Out-of-Network Risk
Out-of-network providers are not bound by Devoted Health’s contracted rates. They can charge whatever their standard fee is, and if that fee exceeds what your plan considers reasonable, you are responsible for the difference, a practice known as balance billing. This can result in unexpected bills that are substantially higher than what you anticipated when you scheduled the appointment.
The bottom line: always verify that your dentist participates in your Devoted Health network before scheduling any appointment. You can confirm this through the member portal or by calling Member Services. If you’re looking for a new dentist, starting with the in-network directory is the single best way to protect yourself from surprise bills.
3. Address Problems Early and Plan Treatment Strategically Around Your Annual Maximum
The third strategy for maximizing your Devoted Health dental benefits involves two related ideas: treating dental problems early before they become more expensive, and being thoughtful about the timing of non-urgent treatment relative to your plan’s annual maximum.
Early Treatment Costs Less, Every Time
Dental problems almost never resolve on their own. They progress. And as they progress, the treatment required becomes more complex, more invasive, and more expensive. This is true across virtually every category of dental disease.
- Cavities: A small cavity treated with a filling costs a fraction of the root canal and crown required once decay reaches the nerve.
- Gum disease: Early-stage gingivitis can be reversed with more frequent cleanings and improved home care. Advanced periodontitis requires deep cleanings, and sometimes surgery, procedures that cost thousands and may need to be repeated.
- Cracked or broken teeth: A small crack detected early may only require a crown. Left untreated, the crack can propagate into the nerve, requiring a root canal as well or into the root, making the tooth unsalvageable and requiring extraction and replacement.
- Missing teeth: Replacing a lost tooth promptly prevents the neighboring teeth from shifting and the jawbone from deteriorating, both of which complicate and increase the cost of future treatment.
When your dentist identifies a problem and recommends treatment, the instinct to delay (especially when finances are tight) is understandable. But in dentistry, delay almost always increases the total cost. Addressing issues promptly, even if it requires a short-term out-of-pocket expense, is virtually always the more economical choice in the long run.
Understanding Your Annual Maximum
Most dental insurance plans, including many Devoted Health plans, include an annual maximum benefit: the total dollar amount the plan will pay toward your dental care in a given calendar year. Once you reach that limit, you’re responsible for 100% of any additional costs until the plan resets on January 1st.
Annual maximums are typically set anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 or more, depending on the specific plan. For members who only need preventive care, this limit rarely comes into play. But for members facing multiple restorative procedures in the same year, such as crowns, fillings, periodontal treatment, it’s possible to exhaust the annual maximum before all the work is completed.
Spreading Non-Urgent Work Across Calendar Years
If you need multiple procedures and your dentist confirms that some are non-urgent, ask about the possibility of scheduling work strategically across two calendar years. For example, if it’s October and you need two crowns, it may make sense to complete one crown before December 31st (using remaining benefits from the current year) and schedule the second crown for January or February of the new year (using fresh benefits from the new plan year). This approach can effectively double the amount of insurance coverage applied to your treatment.
To use this strategy effectively:
- Know your annual maximum and how much of it you’ve used. This information is available through your Devoted Health member portal or by calling Member Services.
- Ask your dentist which treatments are urgent vs. can safely wait. Your dentist can help you prioritize so that urgent needs are addressed promptly while elective or non-critical work is timed to maximize your benefits.
- Request a pre-treatment estimate. Before beginning major work, ask your dentist’s office to submit a pre-authorization or predetermination to Devoted Health. This gives you an advance look at what the plan will cover and what your out-of-pocket responsibility will be, with no surprises.
- Don’t delay urgent treatment. This strategy only applies to non-urgent, elective procedures. If your dentist says treatment is urgent or time-sensitive, proceed. Delaying necessary care to preserve benefits will almost always cost more in the end.
Small Decisions, Big Savings
Maximizing your Devoted Health dental benefits doesn’t require complex financial planning. It requires a few informed habits. Use your preventive benefits every single year. See an in-network dentist to take advantage of contracted rates and coinsurance. Address dental problems as soon as they’re identified. And when you have flexibility, coordinate non-urgent treatment around your plan’s annual maximum.
Together, these three strategies can save Devoted Health members hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dollars annually. Your dental plan is a tool. The more deliberately you use it, the more value it delivers.
Log in to your Devoted Health member portal to check your remaining benefits for the year, find an in-network dentist near you, and make sure your preventive visits are scheduled before the calendar resets.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are dental cleanings and exams really free with Devoted Health?
Yes, preventive services are covered at 100% when you visit an in-network dentist, meaning you pay no copay and no coinsurance for these visits. This typically includes two routine cleanings, two comprehensive or periodic exams, X-rays, and fluoride treatments for eligible members each calendar year. Since these benefits are already paid for through your premiums, skipping them means losing value you’ve already paid into. The best way to use this benefit is to book both visits early in the year rather than letting them slip. If you miss them, they don’t roll over to the next year.
What happens if I don’t use my preventive dental benefits by the end of the year?
Unused preventive benefits, such as your two annual cleanings or exams, do not carry over into the next calendar year and simply expire on December 31st. This means you’ve effectively paid for services through your premium without ever receiving the value back. The only way to avoid losing this benefit is to schedule and attend your appointments before the plan resets. Many members lose hundreds of dollars in benefits annually just by forgetting to book a routine visit. Setting a calendar reminder each January is a simple fix.
Why does it matter if my dentist is in-network or out-of-network?
Choosing an in-network dentist activates two layers of savings: a discounted contracted rate negotiated between the dentist and Devoted Health, and coinsurance calculated on that lower rate rather than the dentist’s full retail price. Out-of-network dentists aren’t bound by these contracted rates, so they can charge their standard fees, and your plan may only reimburse a limited “usual, customary, and reasonable” amount. This gap can leave you responsible for a much larger share of the bill, a practice known as balance billing. In some cases, in-network care cuts your out-of-pocket cost for the same procedure by 50% or more. Always confirm network status through the member portal or Member Services before booking.
What is balance billing, and how can I avoid it?
Balance billing happens when an out-of-network dentist charges more than what your insurance considers a reasonable amount, and you’re billed for the difference. Because out-of-network providers aren’t bound by Devoted Health’s negotiated rates, this can result in unexpectedly high bills, even for routine procedures. The most effective way to avoid this is to verify that your dentist participates in the Devoted Health network before scheduling any appointment. You can check this through the member portal or by calling Member Services directly. If you’re searching for a new dentist, starting with the in-network directory protects you from surprise costs upfront.
How much does delaying dental treatment actually cost?
Delaying treatment almost always increases the total cost because dental problems progress rather than resolve on their own. For example, a cavity caught early might cost $150–$300 to fill, but left untreated it can develop into a root canal costing $900–$1,600, plus a crown costing another $1,000–$1,800. The same pattern holds for gum disease, cracked teeth, and missing teeth, where early intervention is consistently cheaper and less invasive than waiting. Even when finances are tight, addressing a dentist’s recommendation promptly is usually the more economical long-term choice. A short-term expense now typically prevents a much larger one later.
What is a dental annual maximum, and how does it affect my care?
Your annual maximum is the total dollar amount Devoted Health will pay toward your dental care within a calendar year, after which you’re responsible for 100% of additional costs until the plan resets on January 1st. These maximums commonly range from $1,000 to $2,000 or more, depending on your specific plan. Members who only need preventive care rarely hit this limit, but anyone facing multiple restorative procedures, like several crowns or periodontal treatment, can exhaust it before treatment is complete. You can check how much of your maximum you’ve used through the member portal or Member Services. Knowing this number helps you plan major treatment before the limit becomes a problem.
Can I split dental treatment across two years to save money?
Yes, if your dentist confirms that some recommended treatment is non-urgent, you may be able to schedule it across two calendar years to access two separate annual maximums. For example, if you need two crowns in October, completing one before December 31st and scheduling the second for January effectively doubles the insurance coverage applied to your care. This strategy only works for elective or non-time-sensitive procedures; urgent treatment should never be delayed to preserve benefits. Before starting major work, ask your dentist’s office to submit a pre-treatment estimate so you know what’s covered in advance. This removes the guesswork and prevents billing surprises.
How do I find out how much of my dental benefits I’ve already used?
You can check your remaining annual maximum, preventive visit usage, and overall benefit details at any time by logging into your Devoted Health member portal or by calling Member Services. This information is especially useful before scheduling major restorative work, since it tells you exactly how much coverage you have left for the year. Checking early, ideally before October or November, gives you enough time to plan treatment strategically if you’re approaching your limit. It’s also the fastest way to confirm whether your dentist is in-network. Making this a habit at the start of each year ensures you don’t leave covered benefits unused.