Basic Health and Dental Insurance

Basic health and dental insurance pays a portion of expenses related to medical and dental procedures. Basic health insurance covers expenses such as wellness visits, laboratory exams and trips to the emergency room. Basic dental insurance pays a portion of procedures such as X-rays, cleanings and fillings. There are several types of health and dental insurance plans and each plan has different coverages and expenses. Understanding the types of policies available can help you make an informed decision based on the needs of you and your family.

Policy Types

• Basic health and dental insurance can be purchased through employer-sponsored plans or individual insurance plans. Employers offer health and dental insurance as benefits to support the health and well-being of their employees. Most employers share in the cost of health and dental insurance and workers receive significantly reduced rates on plans.

  Individual insurance plans are offered through private carriers. Unlike employer plans, individual insurance policies cover a single person and/or his dependents. Plan participants must qualify for individual plans and are subject to strict underwriting guidelines. Further, the cost of individual health and dental insurance is more expensive than employer plans because they are riskier for the insurance company.

Health Plans

• Basic health-insurance plans provide limited benefits but are typically lower in cost than most comprehensive insurance plans. Basic health insurance covers the "basic and essential" needs of the beneficiary. These plans usually do not cover specialized treatments such as chemotherapy, nor do they cover costs related to prescription drugs or maternity care. Basic health-insurance plan premiums vary based on age, gender and health status, so rates can vary considerably depending on these factors.

Dental Plans

• Basic dental insurance provides coverage for dental-health maintenance, preventative dental care and major dental treatments. The extent to what the plan pays for depends on the individual insurance provider. Dental-health maintenance includes check-ups, regular cleanings and cavity fillings. If you need a cracked tooth fixed or a tooth pulled, dental-health maintenance covers these procedures as well.

  Preventative dental care includes deep cleanings and other measures to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. Many major dental treatments are covered under basic dental insurance plans. Procedures such as oral surgery, dentures and orthodontics are usually covered, but with most basic dental plans, you will have to pay a percentage of the costs out of pocket.

Considerations

• There is no one "best" plan for everyone according to the Insurance Information Institute. Choose a health and dental plan based on your financial ability and your family's needs. No one plan will fit all health-care needs and budgets. It is important to note that basic health and dental plans cover only essential care. If you or a family require specialized care for chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, cancer or gum disease, basic health and dental plans may not provide the coverage you need. Carefully review your policy to ensure you have the best coverage for your situation.