Dental Insurance
Dental Insurance Information
`
Dental insurance is rather unique. First, its low cost makes it highly affordable for individuals and families. Second, because dental insurance encourages and generally pays for regular check-ups, many people who purchase protection start to benefit immediately. Finally, the price of maintaining a healthy mouth can cost hundreds ... even thousands of dollars. Should you ever need costly care, from fillings and crowns to periodontics and orthodontics, your dental insurance will be there to provide benefits when needed. So, if you buy dental insurance, you will probably use it. And, like millions of Americans who have protection, you'll probably be glad you did.
Dental coverage is a little different than health insurance. Most dental plans in the individual market have waiting periods (the policy must be in force for a period of time prior to certain procedures being covered). Preventive care does not have a waiting period and most plans have zero or low co-pay covering two cleanings a year.
However, there are some co-pay plans available, with no waiting periods, does have the cleanings and x-rays with a low co-pay. If there are any procedures needed to be done, there are no waiting periods and you pay a fixed co-pay.
Because of Health Care reform, There has been some positive changes with some of the major carriers. They now realize dental & vision insurance is a product a lot of people are looking at. Loyalty type of plans (the longer you have the coverage the more the plan pays out) are starting to become more popular. Face it, isn't it usually when you realize you many need some dental work is when you start looking for a dental plan? The Insurance companies also realized it and are now coming up with plans which will help with those needs. In fact, as we get older, those needs also might change and there is now plans gear for those over the age 50.
Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself, while reviewing plans:
- Are you only concern about preventive care and looking for lower costs for check-ups and x-rays?
- Are there some dental issues which need to be taken care of? Or issues which may be a concern in the future?
- Are some of the issues, dealing with implants or dentures?
- Are you looking for a plan where you have some coverage out of network?
If it helps any, we have dental insurance, and this is how we justify the monthly premium. Like most plans, our plan covers the standard two cleanings/x-ray a year at a zero co-pay. It kind of forces you to go to the dentist twice a year, and early detection, can save problems/money in the long run. If we did not have dental insurance, we would pay those costs out of pocket any way. Can't remember what we paid for cleanings but let’s say $100. So, if we deduct those cost from the annual cost of dental insurance, now we see a more realistic cost of what we are paying for the dental insurance in case there is an issue.
Example: monthly premium $30 (Monthly premiums do vary, depending on the plan you choose.) x 12 months = $360 a year, if we deduct two cleanings ($100 x 2) $200, we are actually paying ~$13 a month ($160 divided by 12 months) for dental insurance in case something is required to be done. In case of needing a crown, that could be a substantial savings.
If you have a dentist you would like to stay with, we would be happy to find out what plans they are contracted with. If not, we can verify what plans they do accept and then determine the plan which will fit your needs.
Most dental plans also allow you to enroll in vision coverage. Feel free to contact us about coverage.
The application process
is similar to major medical; it’s relatively easy, a combination of phone,
internet and email. The effective date varies as to which plan you choose.
There are many choices to make, and you may have additional questions with
regard to the coverage, so give us a call or send us an email, and we can
set up a convenient time to discuss this further...
We are only an email or phone call away!
Do You want to know more? If you see a word in this COLOR, Just left click the word and learn more.
Compare Different Plans
Want a quote?
|