What You Should Know About Dental Insurance
Posted on: 28 April 2015
If you have ever been to the dentist for anything more than a cleaning, you already understand how much these procedures can cost. Unfortunately, dental coverage is separate from regular health insurance coverage, so you may need to purchase an additional policy. Here is more information about dental insurance.
There Are Different Areas of Coverage
One of the biggest questions regarding dental insurance is finding out exactly what will be covered. There are three areas of coverage for most dental insurance plans, which include preventative care, restorative care, and major procedures. Preventative care includes fluoride and sealants, x-rays, and professional cleanings. With restorative care, it includes fillings, root canals, and simple extractions. Extractions of wisdom teeth are usually covered under the major category, as well as dental implants, dentures, partials, crowns, and bridges.
Some Dental Procedures Are Excluded
When determining what procedures will not be covered by your dental insurance policy, think about what is "necessary" and what is "optional." With your regular health insurance, cosmetic procedures are probably not covered because they are considered optional. The same can be said for dental insurance. Your insurance plan most likely does not cover anything that is considered cosmetic, such as dental veneers and teeth whitening. Some policies also have more specifics about what is not covered, such as only covering certain types of restorative procedures.
There is a Maximum Coverage Amount
When you start looking up the costs of dental insurance, you will notice that the monthly premium amounts are not excessive. Dental insurance is actually very affordable even if you are purchasing a private policy that isn't offered through your employer. However, unlike with health insurance, you have a maximum amount of coverage. This means within a certain period of time, you can only get coverage for a certain dollar amount. For example, if your maximum is $1,500 in a 12-month period and you reach this maximum in October, any dental appointments in November and December will need to be paid out-of-pocket.
You May Have a Deductible
Many dental insurance policies also have deductibles you need to reach before your benefits kick in. This is one of the biggest drawbacks to purchasing the policy on your own as opposed to getting it through your employer. The deductible is a set dollar amount you need to pay for dental procedures out-of-pocket before your insurance company starts covering procedures and office visits. However, many of the policies will still cover basic visits like cleanings or emergency dental work. For further information, contact a local dentist, such as Marc E. Segal, D.D.S.
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