Dental Insurance: The Basics

Are you looking for dental insurance? If yes, then you should know that dental insurance is very important because it helps cover costs related to dental care.

Dental insurance is a type of health insurance that covers expenses associated with dental treatment. This kind of insurance is also called dental coverage or dental benefits.

It is important to note that dental insurance is not always cheap. In fact, it can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 per month depending on the plan.

If you are planning to get dental insurance, there are several things that you need to consider before signing up for any plan. These include:

What is Dental Insurance?

The first thing that you need to understand about dental insurance is what exactly it does and how it works.

Dental insurance provides protection against unexpected medical bills that may arise due to an accident or illness. The amount of money that you will receive depends on your policy.

How Does Dental Insurance Work?

In order to understand how dental insurance works, you must first realize that dental insurance is different than regular health insurance.

Regular health insurance is meant to protect you against unforeseen medical expenses. However, if you have regular health insurance, you still need to pay out-of-pocket for certain services like dental treatments.

On the other hand, dental insurance protects you against unexpected medical bills that you might incur during dental procedures.

Why Should You Consider Getting Dental Insurance?

There are many reasons why you should consider getting dental insurance. Some of them include:

1. Preventing Unforeseen Medical Bills

As mentioned earlier, one of the main purposes of having dental insurance is to prevent you from incurring medical bills.

This way, you won’t be forced to spend all of your savings just to pay for your medical needs.

2. Protects Your Future Health

Another reason why you should consider getting a dental insurance plan is that it protects your future health.

For example, if you suffer from a chronic condition such as diabetes, you could end up spending thousands of dollars on medical bills.

However, by having dental insurance, you can avoid these kinds of situations.

3. Provides Protection Against Loss Of Income

One of the biggest concerns that most people face when they go through a job loss is their inability to afford medical bills.

With dental insurance, this problem is eliminated since you don’t have to worry about paying medical bills anymore.

4. Helps Cover Expenses Associated With Dentures

While some people think that dentures are expensive, this isn’t necessarily true.

Most dentists offer discounts for patients who wear dentures. So, if you want to save money, you should ask your dentist about this option.

5. Allows You To Pay For Services That Aren’t Covered By Medicare Or Medicaid

Medicare and Medicaid are two government programs that provide healthcare to low-income individuals.

However, they only cover certain types of medical procedures.

Therefore, if you are covered under either program, you won’t be able to use your dental insurance to pay for other procedures.

6. Eliminates Financial Burdens When Visiting A Doctor

If you are visiting a doctor for the first time, you might find yourself facing financial difficulties.

You might even find yourself unable to pay for your visit.

However, if you have dental insurance, you won’ ll have to worry about any payment issues.

7. Provides Peace Of Mind

When you are dealing with serious medical problems, it can be stressful.

Having dental insurance means that you no longer have to worry about unexpected medical bills.

8. Makes Treatment More Affordable

Since dental insurance provides protection against unforeseen medical bills, it makes dental treatment more affordable.

9. Offers Convenience And Flexibility

Having dental insurance allows you to choose which dentist you want to see.

In addition, you will be able to schedule appointments whenever you want without worrying about finding an open slot.

10. Gives You The Opportunity To Save Money

By choosing a dental insurance plan that offers flexible payment options, you can save money while still enjoying quality services.

How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost?

The price of dental insurance varies based on several factors. Some of these include:

1. Type Of Coverage

Some plans offer basic coverage while others offer comprehensive coverage.

Basic plans usually cover routine checkups, cleanings, fillings, and extractions.

Comprehensive plans usually cover all of the above plus x-rays, root canal treatments, crowns, implants, bridges, and dentures.

2. Age

Depending on your age, you may qualify for different rates.

For example, children between ages 6 and 18 years old are eligible for lower premiums than adults.

On the other hand, older adults are charged higher rates.

3. Gender

Women tend to pay less than men do. However, women over 65 years old often receive better deals than their male counterparts.

4. Location

Plans offered in rural areas typically cost less than those available in urban areas.

5. Health Status

People with pre-existing conditions are charged higher premiums than healthy people.

6. Amount Of Time Since Last Visit

People who haven’t visited a dentist in a long time are charged higher rates. On the other hand, people who go to the dentist regularly get discounted rates.

What Kinds Of Services Will Be Covered By Dental Insurance?

There are many things that dental insurance covers. Here is a list of some of them:

1. Preventive Care

This includes regular visits to the dentist, periodontal (gum) disease screenings, and fluoride treatments.

2. Emergency Care

Emergency care refers to situations where you need immediate attention. These include toothaches, broken teeth, and injuries caused by accidents.

3. Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry involves improving the appearance of your smile through cosmetic procedures such as veneers, whitening, and bonding.

4. Orthodontics

Orthodontic procedures help correct misaligned jaws and crooked teeth. They are especially useful for kids and teens.

5. General Dentistry

General dentistry is a broad term used to describe any dental procedure that does not fall under one of the previous categories.

Examples of general dentistry include filling cavities, removing wisdom teeth, and replacing missing teeth.

What Type Of Coverage Do I Need For Dental Care?

You will have to decide what type of coverage you need before signing up for dental insurance.

Here are some examples of types of coverage:

• Comprehensive – This provides full coverage for most dental needs.

• Partial – This only covers certain aspects of dental care.

• Basic – This only covers preventative measures like cleaning and exams.

• Zero Deductible Plan – With this option, there is no deductible required at all. You just pay for the services rendered.

• Low-Cost Plans – These plans are designed to be affordable. Some even provide free preventive care.

If you don’t have dental insurance, you may want to consider getting it. There are several reasons why you should do so. First off, if you don’t take good care of your teeth, they could end up costing you more money down the road. Second, having dental insurance makes it easier to afford dental care. Finally, dental insurance is an excellent way to protect yourself against unexpected medical bills.

If you want to know about your dental insurance options, call us at Healthbridge Insurance Solutions today! We will help you choose the best dental insurance plan that suits your dental care needs and your budget. Book an appointment now!