Dental Insurance – The Key Facts
Dental insurance, otherwise known as dental coverage, is a type of health insurance designed primarily to cover a portion of your dental expenses. The coverage typically pays for preventive care like x-rays, teeth cleanings and fluoride treatments. It also covers dental surgery and sometimes can pay for braces and other cosmetic dental procedures. If you are a child, a plan can be arranged for you that takes care of primary dental needs until you are of age to get your own dental insurance.
Most dental insurance plans include preventative services like tooth brushing and flossing and basic procedures like teeth cleaning. These are usually covered under the dental services part of your policy. Major dental procedures like root canals and extractions are not usually covered by these policies. Root canal and extractions are typically covered by your general dental insurance policy, so it is best to check with your provider to make sure that it is included in your coverage. If it is not, you may need to find additional content at an additional cost.
The two most common types of dental insurance policies are PPO and HMO. A PPO plan uses a point system to determine the number of premiums you will have to pay. The points are determined by how in debt you are and how long you have been a member of your plan. As you spend points, your monthly premiums go up as well.
HMOs or Health Maintenance Organizations use a two-tiered system of fees for dental insurance. Your monthly premiums go up depending on how much you visit the dentist. They base these fees on how much the procedure will cost in total and how many cleanings you need to achieve a certain level of cleanings. This type of plan generally requires you to visit the dentist two times per year for preventive dental care.
One significant difference between an HMO and PPO dental insurance policy is the number of covered procedures. An HMO policy typically only covers the most basic functions. The annual maximums will vary depending on the provider. Some providers cover just a straightforward process, whereas other providers offer a yearly maximum on all dental procedures.
Another difference between an HMO dental insurance policy and a PPO policy is the amount of coverage offered for out-of-network providers. An HMO generally limits out-of-network providers’ scope to six or seven visits for a specific period. A PPO dental insurance policy allows you access to more dental work in a wider variety of locations.
As you can see, there are quite a few differences between the two types of plans. To decide which type of dental insurance plan is best for you and your family, you need to carefully consider your needs, dental work cost, and the cost of routine exams. Once you have determined these three factors, you should compare dental insurance plans based on their coverage options. You can use the price of a monthly premium like health insurance to help you make your decision.
Dental insurance is essential, but it does not have to be expensive. With a bit of comparison-shopping, you can save money on dental insurance premiums and choose plans that offer the care you need at a price you can afford. There are many affordable options available, so don’t hesitate to check out all your options.
Significant dental insurance policies typically cover basic dental procedures, such as teeth cleaning and major restorative work. If you frequently visit a dentist, you may want to consider plans commonly referred to as “fee-for-service” plans. These plans typically require you to pay a set fee for each service you receive from your provider. These plans usually cover more of the essential services offered than traditional fee-for-service methods, allowing you to save money on costs.
Many dental insurance policies provide extended coverage for dental services provided after the “trial period” has ended. Typically, the waiting period is for a fixed number of months, or sometimes a year. The waiting period is generally designed to give you ample time to find a new dentist if you change your mind and have to switch to another provider.
Unfortunately, there isn’t always a waiting period. If you change dentists within a dental insurance network, the waiting period for your new care will apply to the latest dental provider. In some cases, the waiting period will apply only to the first visit. Other dental insurance companies allow you to use a new dentist after the waiting period has expired. You will probably have to pay the higher premiums for these plans.
