In this article, you will learn all the basics on dental insurance, including but limited to dental insurance plans, quotes, some reliable companies, and simple tips to help you save on your dental insurance quotes.
Dental insurance is a form of health insurance that is associated with dental care. It is a great way to ensure that you and your family have access to dental services whenever needed.
Dental Insurance Cost
On average, it costs Americans about $360 a year, or $30 a month, for dental insurance. Your dental insurance cost will vary depending on your state and the plans you choose. Most plans come with a maximum annual benefit or coverage limit.
Dental Insurance Plans
Dental insurance plans are basically to help you get dental care at lower rates. In the Marketplace, you can get dental coverage 2 ways: as part of a health plan, or by itself through a separate, stand-alone dental plan.
- Health plans that include dental coverage. Dental coverage is included in some Marketplace health plans. You can see which plans include dental coverage when you compare them.If a health plan includes dental, the premium covers both health and dental coverage.
- Separate, stand-alone dental plans. In some cases separate, stand-alone plans are offered. You can see them when you shop for plans in the Marketplace.If you choose a separate dental plan, you’ll pay a separate, additional premium.
Dental plan categories: High and low
There are 2 categories of marketplace dental plans: High and low.
- High – The high coverage level has higher premiums but lower copayments and deductibles. So, you’ll pay more every month, but less when you use dental services.
- Low – The low coverage level has lower premiums but higher copayments and deductibles. So, you’ll pay less every month, but more when you use dental services.
When you compare dental plans in the Marketplace, you’ll find details about each plan’s costs, copayments, deductibles, and services covered.
There are various dental insurance plans available to customers, including:
1. Dental Indemnity Insurance Plans 
These plans involve an insurance company paying a percentage of the cost of services rendered to the doctor. This plan allows patients to choose their own doctors
2. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) PLANS
These plans are regular indemnity plans that work in collaboration with a network of doctors contracted to the insurance companies that deliver specified services at set fees according to the provided contracts. Unlike indemnity plans, these plans don’t allow patients to choose their own doctors.
3. Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (DHMO)/ Capitation Plans
Under these plans, contracted dentists are pre-paid a fixed amount of money, usually on a monthly basis, to attend to patients designated to them. These services rendered come at reduced or no cost to these patients.
At a minimum, services must include restoration of teeth, maintenance of oral health and relief of pain and infections.
How to Choose the Dental Insurance Plan right for you?
Here are some things to consider when choosing a dental insurance plan:
Before picking a dental insurance plan, there are some basics questions you need to ask in order to help you make the right choice and enjoy the full benefits of your policy. They include:
- Does your plan allow you to choose your own doctor or dentist?
- Who is in charge of making treatment decisions? You, your dentist or your dental plan?
- What exactly does your plan cover? Diagnosis, preventive, treatment or emergency services?
- What share of the cost are you meant to pay?
- What are the limitations of your plan?
- Will your plan allow referral for specialist services?
- Who is eligible to be covered by your plan?
Remember Restrictions!
Some dental insurance plans may have an annual maximum benefit limit. Once the annual maximum benefit is exhausted any additional treatments may become the patient’s responsibility.
Dental Insurance no Waiting Period
Full coverage dental insurance with no waiting period helps finance preventive and major dental procedures, but most dental insurance policies have waiting periods before any standard work can be done. These waiting periods are usually around 6-12 months. These periods are set up by insurance companies to make sure insurance holders do not pay for new policies to cover already existing procedures. They are also set up to make sure profits are being made off a new account.
Some of the best Dental Insurance No Waiting Period Providers include:
- Cigna
- Humana
- DentalPlans.com
- Physicians Mutual
- UnitedHealthcare.
Dental Insurances Companies
Dental Insurance plans are handed down to customers by reputable insurance companies, examples of reputable dental insurance companies include:
- UnitedHealthOne dental insurance
- Delta dental insurance
- Humana dental insurance
- Cigna dental insurance
- Ameritas dental insurance.
3 Key Features of Reliable Dental Insurance Companies
Among so many quotes and offers you receive how to determine the right dental insurance provider? It is not difficult… Look for these 3 key features: “
- High maximum benefits: Dental insurance companies can put both a yearly and lifetime cap on the amount they will payout for your dental services. Chose a provider that offers the highest maximum benefit limit.
- Availability in your area: Some dental insurance companies are not licensed to offer plans in all 50 states. To find out if your potential insurer covers your area, enter your ZIP code in the coverage map or call the customer service.
- Low deductible: Your plan’s deductible is a set dollar amount you need to spend on your dental care costs before the insurance covers your care. Look for a plan with a deductible that you can afford — otherwise, you might end up overpaying for insurance you can’t use.”
TIPS To Get Low Dental Insurance Quotes
People find it difficult getting good dental insurance quotes. Although many criteria can affect the quotes you receive, there are things you can do in order to save on your dental insurance quotes.
- Consider if you need dental insurance for just yourself or family included.
- Pay good attention to the details such as the pricing of plans and other possible fees.
- Research and be sure that the prices are not the only details that differentiate one insurance provider from another.
- Ensure that the plans you’re comparing are insurance plans and not discount plans.
- Show at least one dentist the coverage you plan buying for approval or suggestion.
If you have a suggestion or know other tips to save on dental insurance quotes, kindly comment below to share them with our readers.
