7 Dental Insurance Facts That You Need To Know
Even though people are becoming more conscious about their oral health, the prevalence of dental problems is at an all-time high. Also, the fact that dentist’s services cost a lot has led to the growth in the popularity of dental insurance these days. Being insured has a wide range of benefits as it gets you coverage for treatment and makes you stress-free. However, the awareness regarding dental insurance is still not as widespread as it should be, which is the reason that people have several concerns about investing in one. Before you take up a plan, here are some facts that you should know.
Fact #1: It is a legal agreement
Like any other insurance plan, dental insurance too is a legal agreement between the customer and the insurance company. Under the agreement, the insurance company agrees to cover the insured by paying a part of the dental bills incurred on their treatment. It is to be noted that dental insurance is just meant to be an aid rather than being a pay-all for the insured. So you should not expect any plan to give you 100% coverage upfront.
Fact #2: Certain procedures are not covered
While most plans cover a majority of procedures, certain procedures do not come under the coverage. These include the cosmetic ones, while the preventive and restorative treatments are typically covered. Before you take up a plan, get a clear picture from the provider to understand the procedures that you can expect to be covered so that you are prepared accordingly. Prioritize one that gives you maximum coverage for a majority of treatments.
Fact #3: You should avail your benefits every calendar year
Another fact that you must know about dental insurance is that you should utilize your benefits every calendar year because they will not rollover to the next year. This is because a majority of plans work on the concept of yearly maximum, which is the maximum amount of expense your provider pays within a period of one full year. If you fail to use it up, it will end up wasted.
Fact #4: Good dental care should be your priority
Even if you get coverage, good dental care should still be your priority because it saves you the trouble, pain and cost of treatment. Patrick Walters from Dencover says that the proper way to brush your teeth is to brush twice a day, for two minutes each time. Further, you must follow best practices such as going for regular checkups and getting routine treatment for problems before they get aggravated. Having an insurance plan is no excuse for overlooking dental care.
Fact #5: You can seek treatment from specific practitioners only
When you take up dental insurance, you will have to choose a dentist out of the list of preferred practitioners provided by the company. Therefore, it becomes important to verify the list before taking up a plan because you would want good options that offer the best care and services. However, you should rest assured that a majority of providers connect you with reputed dentists because their own reputation depends on this.
Fact #6: All plans are not the same
Dental insurance is just like any other insurance because all plans are not the same. They differ in terms of the coverage they offer, the premium amounts to be paid, the list of authorized doctors and more. Before taking up a plan, make sure that you compare the options on the basis of these parameters. Doing extensive research and asking questions from the providers will help you in making a wise decision.
Fact #7: You must definitely have one
You may feel that dental insurance is not a necessary expense but it is wise to have one. It gives you peace of mind that a majority of treatments will be covered in case you need them during the year. Considering the expensive nature of most of the dental procedures, this can be a big relief to be insured. Moreover, it gives you the additional benefit of being able to connect with the best dentists in your area because the plan has them listed for you.
Now that you know these dental insurance facts, it would be feasible to get a suitable plan sooner rather than later. Being insured is a motivating factor when it comes to being vigilant about your dental health. People who are insured are quick to get help even for the smallest problems because they need not worry about the treatment expenses at all.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
