Finding the Best Dental Insurance
Everyone strives for good health, and good overall health includes good oral care. Because of this, dental insurance is becoming as important to maintain as standard health insurance.
According to the NADP, roughly two-thirds of American citizens carry some form of dental coverage. If you fall into the other one-third of the population, it is a great idea to find coverage sooner rather than later.
What Types of Dental Insurance Are Available?
Dental insurance is available in three different options: HMO, PPO, and Indemnity.
HMO: HMOs are plans that only cover care provided by professionals within their specific network.
PPO: PPO stands for preferred provider organization, and is similar to an HMO policy, but with an open network. With PPOs, patients can choose any dentist they wish, but will be offered reduced rates for in-network professionals. Covering roughly 70% of all dental policies, PPOs are the most popular dental insurance plan.
Idemnity: Idemnity plans allow a patient to choose any dental care professional, in any area without restriction to coverage. The only downside to Idemnity plans is that providers under HMOs and PPOs often offer discounted rates for the same procedures. This is the benefit of any network attached insurance plan: pre-arranged discounts between the provider and insurance company.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
The average dental policy encourages the most dental care through consistent diagnostics and prevention. Therefore, most plans will cover semi-annual check-ups, cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments.
Consistent exams and care are important; however, the real advantage of dental insurance is the coverage of large, financially straining procedures. Dental insurance will cover most procedures, including but not limited to:
- Fillings
- Root Canals
- Crowns
- Braces
How to Choose the Best Dental Insurance
There are many factors to consider when trying to find the best dental coverage. Some initial questions to ask yourself are:
- What dental procedures will I need?
- How much will my yearly dental care cost?
Knowing your individual needs and budget is the best measure for finding the perfect dental coverage and making the most informed decision. The most important thing though, is to ensure you are covered as soon as possible. According to the CDC, roughly 27% of adults have tooth decay and gum disease. Another year without dental insurance could cost you a lot more than your teeth.