As a smart consumer, you carefully consider certain purchases. You may research the various products, compare prices and specifications, and finally come to a decision, feeling confident that you’re spending your money wisely. But do you give such diligence to your dental insurance?
Although you don’t have to delve deep into the world of insurance, which can be confusing for anyone, there are some things you should know prior to buying dental insurance. Keep reading to learn some of the basic concepts that will help you make the right choice.
Your Monthly Premium
Before you buy anything, you need to know how much it will cost you. The same applies to your dental insurance premium every month. When weighing your options, find out how much you will spend on your benefits and know exactly what you’re getting for your money.
Keep in mind that, in addition to your premiums, you’ll likely need to pay a certain percentage of your treatment out-of-pocket, but a good place to start is with the general cost of your plan.
The Coverage for Various Services
Committing to a certain company and plan means that you agree to their coverage, but plans can contribute different amounts for certain services. For instance, while some dental insurance policies cover the entire cost of two preventive checkups and cleanings per year, others may only pay a majority of the cost of these visits. Overall, your benefits should be somewhere around the following:
- 80 to 100 percent coverage for preventive services.
- 70 to 80 percent coverage for minor restorative services (fillings)
- 50 percent coverage for major restorative services (crowns, dentures, bridges)
If the plans you are considering offer less coverage than this, you may want to keep looking.
Whether Your Preferred Dentist Is In-Network
If you already have a dentist you trust and want to continue seeing, you need to double check that they are within that insurance’s network. Otherwise, you could end up paying more to see them or be forced to choose another in-network dentist.
On the other hand, if you are currently looking for a dentist, you might want to play it safe and buy a major PPO plan, which is the most commonly accepted type of dental insurance. That way, you’re more likely to find an in-network dentist you want to work with as well as save money on your dental expenses.
Keeping these things in mind, you can select the insurance company and plan that will best meet your needs and ensure that you get both affordable and high-quality care.
About the Practice
Taylor Choice Dental proudly has four top-notch dentists who are highly trained and experienced. We are in-network with many plans, including Ameritas and Aetna, and even accept Medicaid. Our administrative team is familiar with how dental insurance works and can help you navigate coverage and benefits. In fact, they’ll be happy to let you know ways you can save as much as possible. If you have questions about insurance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us online or call our Taylor office at 737-301-8555.