Did you know that 50% of Americans don’t have dental insurance coverage? Are you part of this percentage?
Choosing the right dental coverage is a headache! There is so much information, but what do you need to know to pick the best dental plan for you?
Don’t worry we’re here to help you make an informed decision.
Ready to learn what you need to know about dental coverage?
Dental Insurance vs. Health Insurance
Are dental and health insurance the same thing?
Well, yes and no…
Both insurances cover health treatments, diagnostics, X-Rays, and more. Yet, they aren’t regulated the same way.
Dental insurance isn’t regulated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) like health insurance. This means dental plans don’t have to follow specific coverage requirements.
Since dental plans don’t follow a rule of thumb, how will you know what dental plan to get?
First, you have to start at the beginning, what dental care does the plan offer?
Types of Dental Care
According to the National Association of Dental Plans, there are seven areas of dental care that insurance plans cover:
- Preventive Care: Yearly visits, cleanings, and maintenance, among other basic treatments
- Restorative Care: Filings and crowns
- Oral Surgery: Tooth removal and minor surgeries
- Endodontics: Procedures like Root Canals
- Orthodontics: Coverage includes retainers, braces, among other
- Periodontics: Root planning, scaling, infections, and lesions
- Prosthodontics: Dentures, bridges, cosmetic veneers, among other treatments
When deciding what insurance to get, pay attention to their coverage by the dental care area. Most plans cover 100% of preventive care applying co-payments. These deductibles will be in dollars or percentages depending on the insurance.
Now you might be thinking won’t dental coverage break my bank account?
Cost
Almost 50% of US adults age 30 or older suffer gum or periodontal disease. Did you know periodontal treatments can cost between $500 to $10000?
Dr. Kot DDS PC offers a wide range of dental services including periodontics.
The monthly average consumer spending on dental services is $38.
Some of the things that will determine the cost of your dental insurance policy are:
- Type of Dental Care
- Number of yearly visits
- Is it your first year with this plan?
- Do you have a health condition that requires continuous visits to the dentist?
- Do you want to have a many service provider options?
Most dental coverage plans cover the basics — including preventive care. However, not all dental plans are equal.
Many plans have an annual benefit limit. According to the NADP, 50% of Dental PPOs (leading dental product) have an annual limit of $1500. This means that you will have to pay out of your pocket any treatments over that amount.
Pick the Best Dental Plan for You
When you shop for the right dental insurance don’t forget the basics.
What dental care are you planning to use? Do you suffer from a condition that will need costly treatments?
Always set your eye on a wallet-friendly option that provides enough coverage. Don’t break your bank account with coverage you don’t need.
Want to learn some fun facts about your dental health?
Check our post: Five Fun and Unusual Dental Facts.
