Why do you need dental insurance?
Whether you need dental insurance for yourself or your family, you'll want to know the ins and outs of what it can provide. In this blog post, we'll explain why dental insurance is so important. We’ll also break down what an oral-based policy may cover and how much it'll cost. Finally, we’ll provide some tips on how to choose a plan that suits your needs best.
Understanding your oral health insurance needs…
Though it’s considered a part of medical insurance, most people don't realize that dental insurance is an essential part of everyday life. This is because most people wear their teeth for an average of 40 years. That's a lot more than our bones (which may last anywhere from 10 to 30 years) or even our hearts (which might only function for 4 decades).
What's the difference between medical and dental insurance? In a nutshell, medical covers the costs related to any type of injury or sickness you may come across in your lifetime. Dental coverage, on the other hand, covers oral-health services like fillings and cleanings.
Without insurance, most of us may opt to use a dentist who is the "lowest bidder", which can often lead to poor care or even worse, dental procedures that are never completed due to financial difficulties.
If you need dental insurance for yourself, you may choose a plan that covers basic services like cleanings and check-ups. If your family also needs care, many dental insurance policies will provide coverage for multiple people, sometimes up to 100% of those listed on the policy. All of these factors will be essential in determining why dental insurance is so important.
What does dental insurance cover?
Many people get confused when it comes to the services offered by their dental plan. Because of this, they wind up not taking advantage of the many benefits that are offered. In order to avoid surprises, you should always understand what you are covered for and how much it will cost if you do go ahead with treatment.
One of the big differences between dental insurance and medical insurance is that with oral care coverage, the type of service that is needed is often defined in a very loose way. This means that while your policy may offer coverage for basic cleanings, there's a good change your dentist will try to bill on this service as something else. In the end, it's up to you to decide what the service is worth.
When looking at a dental insurance policy, the most important thing you should be aware of is what is included in your plan and how much extra it will cost if any other services are needed. If you are unsure of how your policy works, your dental insurance specialist will be there to help.
Does dental insurance cover cosmetic work?
Another question that often comes up when people look into dental insurance plans is whether or not cosmetic work is covered and if it's paid out in full or not at all. To break this down, cosmetic work is treated differently under each plan so it’s important for everyone purchasing coverage to do their homework.
If cosmetic work is considered part of a plan that covers basic services, it may not be paid for in full. This means that you may have to pay the additional cost on this service and depending on the amount, your policy might only cover a certain percentage of this additional cost. When you are dealing with expensive procedures like dental implants or veneers, it is almost always better to pay out-of-pocket and then submit a claim for reimbursement instead of using insurance.
On the other hand, if you want to take advantage of cosmetic dentistry services but your policy doesn’t cover them, you can always add an optional rider to your insurance policy. This will allow you to create a plan that allows you to address any cosmetic issues you may have.
How much does dental insurance cost?
To purchase a dental insurance policy, there is a yearly premium that has to be paid to maintain the coverage. This premium will vary depending on you and your family's needs as well as the type of coverage you are looking at. For instance, if you want basic cleanings and check-ups, your annual premium will probably be within the $100-$300 range. If we look at something more like orthodontic work coverage, expect to pay anywhere from $300-$500 or more per year.
The cost of dental insurance may also vary depending on your age as well. At various times throughout our lives, we may experience an increase in dental problems that require more extensive treatment. Also, at times in our lives when we may have extra money to spend, the cost of dental care will go up due to the frequency of cleanings and check-ups that are considered necessary.
What if I have more than one person covered?
If you wish to be covered under a policy that covers multiple people or you find yourself needing to provide coverage for multiple family members, there are several things that you should know. If you are looking at a dental insurance plan that will cover multiple people, your plan should offer coverage for a total of 100% of the people covered by the policy.
There may be certain exceptions to this rule but it is important to know that if you don’t have enough coverage, there is no way to go back and find out which family members are covered under your insurance plan.
A complete list of what is covered under your policy will be sent to you after you sign up for the offered coverage. It's important that you look over this information carefully in order to understand the individual benefits that each member of your family will receive and if they are meeting their needs.
Do I have to be a member of my spouse's dental plan?
If you and your spouse both work for the same company, it is possible that you may be covered under their dental insurance coverage. In cases like these, you should check with human resources to find out what your benefits are and if they will cover the rest of your family as well. If not, then your best option would be to purchase a new coverage for yourself as well.
How do I find a dentist when I need one?
When looking for a dentist who accepts dental insurance, many people opt to visit online directories in order to get access to the companies that are offering services.
Conclusion
When you are looking into dental insurance, you will find that it can be quite confusing. This is especially true when it comes to the details that are included in your plan or excluded. If you're not careful, you can wind up forgoing coverage of a service that is essential. In order to avoid these problems, make sure that you fully understand what you are covered for and how much it will cost if other services are needed. If anything is unclear, consult with your doctor or dentist so he or she can explain things more clearly.
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