As we strive to do what is best for our health, there is a lot to be aware of. Oftentimes, going to the dentist becomes less of a priority for a lot of families who have to watch every dollar. What most fail to realize is that investing in your oral care is just that, an investment. The money that you put into your oral care now is sure to make up for the high possibility of needing expensive procedures later down the line in life if care is neglected.
While health insurance in America typically doesn’t cover dental costs, another option is to get dental insurance, which is what we will be discussing further.
Let’s get into it.
Sections outline: Overview, Choosing a Plan, How Money Can Be Saved,, What is Covered, Final thoughts
Overview
Having dental insurance will help you budget to maintain a great smile. Another benefit is that dental insurance compared to medical and health insurance is extremely easy to understand with most policies being very straightforward. Dental insurance can either be a standalone policy or an add-on to medical insurance. It is something that is often offered by employers to their employees (group plans).
Choosing a Plan
Here’s how it works. First, you review then choose a plan based on the dental offices that you wish to visit and what is affordable for you. Chances are that if you already have a dentist you like and they are within the insurance provider’s network, a more affordable plan will be offered to you. The same thing often goes for if you don’t already have a dentist.
But if you want to use a specific dentist that isn’t within the network of the insurance company that you go with, you will have to pay significantly more to the point where you are likely not to save any money. So choosing a plan is dependent on your location, the insurance company, and the plan that you end up choosing. A rough estimate for the average user of dental insurance is $50 a month, equal to $600 a year.
How Money Can Be Saved
The number one question that everyone has is “Is it worth it?”. It’s a great question because insurance companies need to make a profit, so how can they make a profit if you are also saving money? The truth is that oftentimes, you may lose a bit of money every year or just break even when everything is said and done. But the major selling point of dental insurance is the fact that it’s best to have it during an emergency.
Some examples are if your tooth gets knocked out, your crown goes missing or gets damaged, your tooth gets cracked, or braces are suddenly needed. All these things can be rather expensive, so this is when having dental insurance already in place becomes a lot more valuable, rather than just needing your bi-annual cleanings, where money is unlikely to be saved.
What is Covered?
In general, the majority of plans will cover at least a portion of preventive care, crowns, root canals, fillings, and oral surgery (like tooth extractions). Tooth extractions in Raleigh, NC are best done by New Hope Dental Care.
A lot of times you will end up having to pay out of pocket for a percentage of the procedures. Preventive care in particular is typically covered for two visits per year. Some other things that are usually covered are things like dentures and bridges (prosthodontics), along with procedures done by orthodontists.
But every plan has its limits per year, and this cap is often lower than what you would prefer. When their coverage exceeds the annual cap, you will end up having to pay for everything else out of pocket. Roughly half of all dental insurance plans have their annual maximums not exceeding $1,500. When things like oral surgery, crowns, and root canals are needed, this maximum is going to be met rather quickly.
Dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures (esthetic dentistry), because they aren’t medically necessary. This includes things like teeth whitening and veneers.
Final Thoughts
Having dental insurance is something that should at minimum be considered. It’s best to have it during emergencies because this is when it saves you the most money. Take a closer look into dental insurance as a family and make a decision. Again, tooth extractions in Raleigh, NC as well as tooth removal in Raleigh, NC are best done by our team at New Hope Dental Care. You can request an appointment here.