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When shopping for dental insurance plans, it's crucial to evaluate the amount of coverage each plan provides. This article will help you decide whether or not dental insurance suits your needs and budget.
Finding the right one can be difficult because many dental insurance providers exist. For this reason, we've reviewed and highlighted six of the best plans available.
Dental insurance is a type of insurance that covers dental care. The scope of coverage varies from one insurance company to another. For example, dental insurance plans may cover an individual, a family, or a group, such as employees.
Insurance companies typically provide coverage for dental services as standalone policies. However, some providers incorporate dental plans in other insurance coverages or as part of single medical plans. Dental insurance plans also vary in prices and services covered.
You’ll have to pay dental insurance companies monthly premiums, which may vary depending on your plan type. A monthly premium is a fixed amount of money you pay each month to maintain the benefits of your policy.
We have compiled a list of the best insurance plans. Criteria are based on their network sizes and how well they accommodate different needs and budgets.
Here are the six best dental insurance plans:
Cigna Dental Insurance has several dental plans for different budgets and needs. It also has a broad network of nationwide dentists. This enables users to seek dental treatment from various locations and still receive coverage.
In addition, Cigna Dental offers up to $1,500 for dental health coverage.
Spirit Dental has 16 dental coverage policies and a limit of up to $5,000 after 3 years. In addition, there's no waiting period before coverage. You only pay a $100 deductible per year.
Although Spirit Dental plans have an annual coverage maximum of $750, they cover three dental cleaning services and two dental exams annually.
Humana provides six policies to its clients. This coverage is best for individuals searching for low-budget coverage with basic plans. All six Humana policies cover 100% of preventive care costs. Humana has a nationwide network of over 335,000 dentists.
Physicians Mutual provides coverage for seniors and offers three plans: Preferred Plus, Standard Plus, and Economy Plus.
Users have a 3-month waiting period before acquiring coverage for basic procedures. Physicians Mutual also has a 12-month waiting period for major services.
However, there's no waiting period for preventive care, and the plan offers no deductibles. Physicians Mutual insurance also has no lifetime limits on preventive care.
Delta Dental includes orthodontic care for children and adults. These plans cover 100% of preventive and 50% of orthodontic care.
Delta Dental also has over 152,000 dentists in its network across 50 states.
UnitedHealthcare has ten dental coverage policies to choose from and a coverage limit of $3,000. The UnitedHealthOne policy best suits families because it’s tailored for orthodontic and preventive care plans.
A dental insurance plan falls into one of these three categories:
A dental preferred provider organization is a network-based dental insurance plan. With this plan, dental networks determine fees with a health insurance company. The insurer then creates a dental plan that best suits the client's needs and the dentist's fees.
Dental PPO networks comprise a variety of dental specialists. This provides numerous dentists to choose from.
The wide networks also make dental plans flexible enough to accommodate people with varying dental needs.
Dental Health Maintenance Organization dental plans are also network-based. Some restrict users to specific living areas. As a result, they are less costly and tailored for more diverse groups.
DHMOs are payable in monthly or annual premiums and cover various services. Some of the services are free. Other plans may require you to pay part of the dental care costs.
Indemnity dental plans are generally cost-effective even though they are pricier. They are less popular than PPO or DHMO dental plans. Under these plans, the insurer pays a percentage of the covered dental procedure cost.
In addition, some of these plans cover preventive care and diagnostic services at low or no cost.
An indemnity dental plan doesn't come with a network. This means you are free to see any dentist of your choice. You must also pay the fees upfront and file claims directly with your dental insurance company.
The benefits of insurance plans for dental services include the following:
Dental insurance plans reduce the cost of some dental services that may otherwise be outside your immediate budget. They come in handy during emergency cases and cater to basic and major procedures.
Many plans cover most preventive dental insurance benefits at no cost to you. These services include routine checkups, examinations, teeth cleaning, and teeth X-rays. Some may also provide pediatric preventive dental care for children.
Your oral health reveals information about your general health. If your dental insurance health plan covers routine checkups, the dentist may check your throat, gums, and mouth for infections and other issues. A professional dentist can detect signs of over 120 diseases by merely examining your mouth.
Your employer may offer dental insurance coverage as part of your employment benefit. In this case, you can apply for the dental plan when it becomes available. Then, you can choose dental insurance coverage that works for you.
The other option is to apply for dental coverage on your own. You can do this if you are not employed or if your employer doesn't offer this benefit. You can find dental coverage through the state's health insurance program or through a private insurance company.
Dental insurance cost varies depending on its coverage. You can expect to pay anywhere between less than $10 to more than $80 for your monthly premium.5
Plans that cover basic and major services will be more expensive than those that only cover basic services. Speak with your dental insurance provider to know more about your coverage. They can tell you about coverage for your plan.
Most dental insurance plans cover basic services, such as:
Most dental insurance policies cover preventive dental care services at no cost. These services include dental examinations, X-rays, and a cleaning every 6 months. Children may also be covered for sealants and fluoride.
Some dental insurance policies also cover orthodontic treatments. These include braces and clear aligners. These treatments correct the malposition of teeth and bite lines.
Orthodontic care is costly if paid out-of-pocket. Most dental insurance plans agree to pay some of the costs incurred during orthodontic care to help their clients save money.
Restorative treatments include tooth extractions, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and more. Many dental insurance plans also cover partial costs incurred during these procedures.
Dental insurance plans usually don’t cover the following:
Cosmetic procedures may include veneers, teeth whitening, and other procedures that improve the appearance of your teeth. Dental insurance usually doesn’t cover this because they’re considered elective procedures.
The Affordable Care Act states that health insurance providers can’t deny you coverage for pre-existing conditions. However, this isn’t always the case for dental insurance. Most companies will only cover minor conditions.
Most dental insurance plans won’t cover alternative treatments. This means if you choose a more expensive option, your dental plan won’t cover it.
For instance, say you need a dental crown. If you choose porcelain instead of metal (a cheaper option), your dental insurance won’t cover the difference in cost.
The best dental insurance plan for you should cater to your dental needs. To find the best dental insurance company for your needs, consider the following factors:
It’s recommended to opt for dental insurance that covers preventive services, restorative services, and orthodontic care. If you require specific treatments, make sure the plan covers your anticipated services.
The cost of your dental insurance is also a deciding factor for your dental plan. You don’t want to pay a premium above your budget. Assess whether the plan offers good value for money as well.
A waiting period is when you must wait for coverage to take effect after signing up for a dental plan. Most plans have a waiting period of 6 months. However, if you have a condition requiring immediate attention, you should look for a plan with minimal or no waiting period.
It’s important to pick a plan with a wide network of dentists in your area. If you want to visit a specific dentist, check whether they’re included in your plan’s network.
When choosing dental insurance, check the provider’s reputation. Customers should have a good experience with the provider. The best dental insurance companies ensure their customers can access the care they need with minimal hassle.
Dental insurance is especially worth it when you want to save money on dental procedures. If your employer provides dental insurance, you won’t have to worry if it’s worth it.
However, self-employed or unemployed individuals must understand the different benefits of various plans. Carefully assessing and comparing different plans can help determine the best dental insurance for you.
Dental insurance plans help you save money on dental procedures. Various plans have different coverage, and finding the best dental insurance plan for you depends on your needs. You should note their differences to get the best value for your money.
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