How to Choose Dental Insurance

Choosing dental insurance can be a frustrating task. So many coverage options are available to choose from. It's important to know exactly what you are looking for and how much it should cost you. Being familiar with the coverage options and types of dental care plans can help you to avoid getting stuck with a huge dental bill later on.

Instructions

How to Choose Dental Insurance

• 1

  When choosing dental insurance, start with the basics. Basic coverage ranges from a number of services. The most important service your dental insurance should include is preventive care. This includes free teeth cleaning two times a year. Along with cleanings, you should expect a wellness directory to give you information on how to properly care for your teeth.

  Basic coverage also includes dental care for tooth decay, which leads to cavities. Chances are, sometime in your life, you will get a cavity. Cost for cavity fillings can be upwards of $100. Expect to pay more if the cavity is on multiple surfaces. Find out what your dental insurance is willing to pay. Your out-of-pocket cost can add up without adequate coverage.

• 2

  Next, check your insurance company's coverage for major dental procedures.This is where you can really expect the cost to add up. Dental procedures can include everything from oral surgery to braces. The major procedures you should ask about are tooth extractions, veneers, root canals and periodontal care. Find out how much coverage your dental insurance is willing to pay in each instance.

  Are you interested in braces? If so, ask about orthodontic care. Some insurance companies will pay up to 80 percent for the cost of braces. A good dental insurance company will pay at least pay 50 percent for the cost of braces. Also, be sure to find out how the money will be disbursed.

  What about emergency care? If you lose your tooth in an accident, you should have coverage through your dental insurance to cover you for immediate care. Some dental companies may try to tell you that is a medical case. Do not be fooled. Most medical insurance companies will not pay for emergency dental care unless it involves care done directly to the mouth, not the tooth. Find out what your dental insurance is willing to pay.

• 3

  The cost of dental insurance is going to be something that is on the top of your mind. Obviously, you need to find out what you can afford. What is your monthly premium? Are you paying directly, or is it drafted out of your paycheck?

  Ask about deductibles and co-payments. Deductibles are once-a-year minimum payments that you must make before your insurance company pays anything. If you do not pay the deductible, your insurance company will not pay anything towards your care.

  Co-payments, on the other hand, are payments that you make along with the insurance company. Unlike deductibles, co-payments are billed to you for every occurrence. Find out if your dental insurance offers a flat rate co-payment or a percentage of the bill.

• 4

  Network coverage is a deceptive word in the medical field. Be aware of whether your dental insurance company offers an HMO or a PPO. Most insurance companies offer both, with an HMO being cheaper. An HMO network offers dental care through referrals. You and your dentist must be preapproved for your insurance to cover the cost. An HMO is an affordable option if you don't have a preferred dental provider.
  A PPO, on the other hand, allows you more freedom to choose your dentist. You are given a network of dental providers your insurance company would like you to go to. By choosing these in-network providers, your insurance company will pay a higher deductible. However, you have the option of going out of network to any providers of your choose. Usually your insurance company will still help pay for coverage at a lower deductible rate.

• 5

  Lastly, you should make at least three calls to any dental insurance company you are considering to find out about the quality of their customer service. The benefits of your dental company aren't going to matter if you or your provider are not able to get anyone on the phone. Look at wait time. When your dental office calls your insurance company, how long will they be on hold? How well does your dental insurance company explain your benefits and coverage? What are their hours of operation? If you are unsatisfied with these answers, consider shopping around.