What is the Reason for Dental Insurance?
You have been satisfied with your dental health. Suddenly, unexpectedly, you develop an annoying toothache. It is painful to just sip a glass of water, and you even have a tough time focusing because of the pain. You also realize it will not go away on its own. You need a dentist, and you are concerned about the cost.
The cost answer will vary depending on whether you have dental insurance and your plan coverage. Some dental insurance plans might cover just preventive care, while other plans will cover treatments like crowns and oral surgery.
You question whether you need dental insurance. You can get by without it, but this approach can come with risks. It is most often worthwhile to carry dental insurance. Depending on your specific personal needs, you might not need a plan with comprehensive coverage. You should really not ignore issues with your mouth, teeth, and gums. Oral health concerns can easily get worse without treatment and will then lead to more costly medical problems.
What You Should Know About Dental Insurance
Some types of insurance, like your car insurance, are there for when something unplanned happens. Dental insurance is designed to be more proactive or preventive, keeping the worst from happening.
Here is how dental insurance generally works. You pay a monthly amount, a premium, and your plan will then cover a portion of the cost of your dental care for that year. Plans vary based on the insurance carrier and the specific plan options. Dental insurance most often covers preventive care, such as checkups, screenings, and cleanings. Other elective services might have various levels of coverage.
Here are Insurance Terms You Should Know
- Premium- Your monthly fee to be enrolled in a dental insurance plan.
- Deductible- The dollar amount you must pay for your dental care before your annual benefits begin. For many dental plans, this is usually only between $25-$75. Preventive services are covered before you reach your deductible.
- Coinsurance- The percentage of a treatment cost you pay after you have reached your deductible. Your coinsurance for a root canal might be 20% or 50% of the cost.
- The Annual Maximum- The most your dental plan covers in a single year. Past this point, you are responsible for 100% of your dental expenses.
How Dental Insurance Pays for Itself
If you keep your preventive care appointments twice a year, your dental insurance literally pays for itself. If you also need any additional dental care, you will see the added benefits and value of having a plan.
To better understand this logic, we will begin with a monthly premium. If you pay $40 a month, that equals $480 per year.
With your plan premiums, you usually receive two checkups covered at 100%. Without dental insurance, these two checkups alone can cost between $400 and $500 out of pocket. The value of dental insurance does not stop there because many plans cover a portion of the cost of other dental procedures.
Dental insurance can indeed help prevent advanced dental care. Regular preventive checkups will keep your teeth and gums healthy, minimizing the risk of developing more serious issues that will be expensive to treat. Your oral health is also connected to your overall health, so your dentist could be the first to identify other health conditions.
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