Dental health is important for our oral health but also our overall health. if you visit your dentist regularly, you know some services are expensive. If you have a family, it can get pretty high.
Dental insurance plans help greatly in keeping costs low and making sure you and your family get the dental care needed. If you have a basic plan through your work or are looking for one on your own, they are not all alike.
While you may not be able to tailor the plan to a tee, you will be able to find a policy that works best for you and your family. Let's take a closer look at some of the things you need to look for.
Dental Insurance Plans
Even if you have a policy through your employer, it may not be right for you. You can usually opt out and find your own, or find one with additional services you need.
Cost
The cost per year of having the insurance needs to be worth your while. You need to ask about what services you actually get.
Services Included
Does the insurance policy have blanket coverage or just a few basics? Some dental insurance plans may seem like a good deal if they are on the less expensive end. You need to find out why.
Often, a basic plan will only include a few services, like an annual cleaning, two visits, and an x-ray, for example. It's important to understand what is included, so there are no surprises at the dentist's office.
If you have problems with your teeth or have someone in the family who needs a lot of dental work, you will need to look at a policy that has coverage for everything.
Brand Name
Going with an insurance company brand name you recognize it usually the best place to start. Some lesser-known companies may offer a better price but are they a better deal in the end? Probably not.
The more people using the insurance company, the better it is for you and for your options. The more popular companies are, they are more widely accepted they are at more dentists.
You know they will be able to cover you when you need it and often have far more options for the type of dental insurance plan you can get.
Is it Worth it?
You need to weigh the costs of the policy with what you might spend in an average year. If the cost is about the same, you may want to forgo on the insurance altogether.
Many of the regular procedures are 80% coverage to the insurance company, less for other more complicated services, about 50% and no coverage for the ones that are usually the most expensive, usually involving surgery.
If your coverage is for cost only, you may want to just pay for exams and cleaning.
Flexibility
Ask about the policy's wiggle room. As your needs change, you may want to add something or remove a portion of coverage you're not using. Your life may change, as well. You may get married or have a baby.
As most insurance policies are annual, it might not be a concern, but emergencies happen, so you should ask if you can change the policy without a penalty or for a small fee.
Payment Methods
How you actually pay for the services and procedures at the dentist might be very important to you. As the insurance likely pays the majority of the procedure, the method of payment at the dentist might be a concern.
You might pay the dentist directly and get reimbursed from the insurance company, or you may get billed from the insurance company themselves.
Limits
Some dental insurance plans may have limits for what they will cover, even if they are considered emergencies. If you require surgery, for instance, there may be certain portions you are expected to pay for yourself, outside of the coverage.
There may be no coverage for any procedure you have done that is considered cosmetic or non-essential. There may be some confusion on these procedures, so make sure you understand what is involved.
This can also refer to limitations on regular services. They may only cover up to a certain amount and after that, you pay for them yourself. Make sure you know this before your visit to the dentist, to avoid any surprises.
Ask Around
Do a little legwork before you decide. Asking your friends, family, and co-workers. If you are looking for better coverage for your family or something that will cover some very specific problems you have, it's a good idea to ask around.
Check with your own dentist. They may have certain insurance companies they work with and not others. This can save time and money, as there may be incentives for referrals or group discounts.
Check with your own healthcare provider, as well. They will have some suggestions for you and can also offer referrals. Healthcare professionals often work together to make sure their patients receive all the care they need.
All-In-One
You may have health insurance that has coverage for dental health already. This may be enough. If not, you can always find an individual policy for those little extras you may need if your teeth require more care then average.
The all-in-one policy, where dental is a portion of the policy may be offered through your work, or you may have coverage or be part of one through your partner. Make sure you are covered for what you need, or if you think what is already in place will be enough.
Better Teeth, Better Health
Your dental health care can take a backseat when it comes to taking care if you are living on a tight budget. Having dental insurance plans may actually encourage you to take better care of your teeth.
Paying for a policy you don't use is wasteful and most people don't like to just throw their money away. Getting your money's worth from the policy means you are getting your regular dentist visits.
You can contact us to find out what type of coverage is available for you and the price and package that will suit you and your family. We have rates to fit all types of budgets.
