Statistics reveal that a majority of people with dental insurance receive it as a benefit from their employer. However, for those who don’t have this benefit, being uninsured can lead to outrageous out-of-pocket costs that quickly add up.
If you’re looking to get your own dental insurance plan, you’ll probably need a bit of help choosing one. That’s why we’ve assembled these tips to help you find the best dental insurance plan for your situation.
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How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Dental insurance plans work similarly to regular health insurance. However, dental premiums are typically lower. Of course, this means you may not receive quite as much coverage.
In most cases, dental insurance will cover up to 100% of any preventative care, such as x-rays and annual exams. They’ll then cover 80% of procedures such as fillings and extractions.
For more advanced procedures, such as bridges and crowns, you’ll likely only receive 50% coverage. Due to the typical dental bridge cost, however, this can still lead to substantial savings.
Choosing the Best Dental Insurance Plans
The best insurance plan is the one you’ll get the most use out of. In some cases, this may not be your employer-offered dental plan. Instead, look out for these factors:
1. Look Into Group Plans
Employer-offered insurance is just one example of a group plan. Other groups include AARP and the Affordable Care Act.
If you’re eligible to get onto a group plan, you’ll generally end up saving more money. They also tend to come with better benefits.
However, always check the details of any plan, including the one offered through your employer. In some cases, the costs can outweigh the benefits.
2. The Low-Down on Individual Policies
If you’re not eligible to join a group plan, individual policies are available. Though these typically cost more and come with fewer benefits, they could still save you more than out-of-pocket care.
The most important thing is to do some comparison shopping between plans. Before you choose an insurance plan, you need to be sure it’ll be worth your money (and time).
3. Make Sure Your Dentist Is In-Network
If there’s a particular dentist you like, make sure they accept whatever insurance plan you’re looking for. If you don’t have an ideal dentist yet, check the practices around your area for the kinds of plans they accept.
After all, you don’t want to buy an insurance plan only for the only in-network dentist to be all the way across town.
4. Know Your Policy
Finally, you need to know the ins and outs of any policy you choose. Consider the kinds of procedures you’ll likely need and be sure to budget for any potential emergency expenses.
If you’re planning on covering your children, you should also take into account the types of care they’ll need. Remember, cavities are an exceedingly common problem among children.
Get the Care You Need
While some people may choose to go without dental care at all, this is not a great long-term solution. Going without dental care can mean serious long-term health consequences in the future. Instead, choosing the best dental insurance plan for your situation may be a better idea.
For more tips on how to take care of your body, check out our Health section.
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