If you don’t currently have dental insurance, are in-between jobs, or have questions about getting covered, we can help!
Dental insurance is incredibly important for not only your oral health but also your overall health and wellbeing. Without it, you may find yourself dealing with unexpected medical or dental bills or in an emergency that could have been prevented by seeing a dentist regularly.
Keep reading to learn how to get dental insurance no matter what situation you’re in.
Step one: Learn about the value of dental insurance
Taking the time to get dental insurance may not be a priority if you don’t feel like there is value to it. That’s why the first step to getting dental insurance is to understand its benefits.
In a nutshell, dental insurance:
- Reduces or covers the cost of dental procedures such as cavity fillings, root canals, etc.
- Increases the likelihood of going to preventive dental cleaning appointments
- Improves oral and overall health by catching and treating problems that could become severe early
- Is often covered by comprehensive benefits packages from employers
Dental insurance helps save you money, prevent dental emergencies, and is usually covered by employers to make it easy to opt in to.
Step two: Determine where dental insurance will come from
Determining where your dental insurance will come from is the next step in your coverage journey. Most of the time this will be based on factors such as place of employment or if you are self-employed.
If you work for an employer who offers dental insurance
If your employer offers dental insurance as part of its benefits package, it will often be taken out of your compensation automatically. Most of the time employers will work with one insurance company and employees will either elect to have them as their insurance provider, or opt out of coverage. Getting dental insurance through employer-sponsored benefits is generally seamless when it comes to having coverage.
If you work for an employer who doesn’t offer dental insurance
If your employer does not offer dental insurance as part of their benefits package, you will likely have to find other means to get coverage. For most people, this means purchasing individual or family coverage from a dental insurance company. This can usually be done online or by contacting the insurance company directly.
If you are currently unemployed
If you are currently in-between jobs or unemployed, you can still get dental insurance by purchasing an individual or family plan from an insurance company. Like people who work for an employer that does not offer dental insurance, this can be done online or by contacting the insurance company directly.
Step three: Find the right dental insurance plan for you
Once you know where your dental insurance will come from, it’s time to find the right dental insurance plan for you. In some cases, this will be determined by your employer who may have a plan already in place.
Some of the most common dental insurance plans are Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), dental savings plans, or managed fee-for-service plans.
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) are contracted so that members have access to a network of dentists who accept reduced fees for covered services. PPO members will have lower out-of-pocket costs when receiving treatment from an in-network dentist because dental insurance companies offering these plans also share a portion of the reduced fee.
Every PPO plan will be unique. It’s important to reach out to the individual insurance company to understand the specific benefits, network size, and limitations of their PPO plan.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
A dental HMO:
- Provides lower cost coverage with a focus on preventive care
- Typically includes cleanings, periodic oral evaluations, X-rays, and sealants
HMO plans generally have a smaller network of dentists than that of a PPO, but the cost also tends to be lower. HMO benefits are provided in exchange for a monthly premium, and members must use in-network dentists to obtain coverage.
Dental Savings Plan
A Dental Savings Plan allows members to choose from participating dentists who charge discounted fees for their services. These plans typically have a lower premium than PPO and Managed Fee for Service Plans. Members usually pay an annual amount in exchange for the discounted fees.
Discount plans work differently from most “traditional” dental insurance plans because there is no reimbursement paperwork to fill out and no coinsurance. Instead, members pay discounted fees directly to the dentist at the time of treatment.
Managed fee-for-service plans
Managed fee-for-service plans usually have the largest network of dentists compared to other dental insurance plans. This means that members generally have higher out-of-pocket costs.
Like PPO plans, members pay a fixed percentage for services provided by an in-network dentist. The Managed fee-for-service plan will then cover the remainder based on your annual maximum and deductible.
Step four: Consider all factors
After determining which dental plan makes the most sense for you and your needs, a great way to confirm it’s the best fit is by considering the following:
Favorite dentist: If you have a dentist that you want to keep seeing, be sure to confirm they accept the dental plan you want to select before signing up.
Budget: Before signing up for coverage, make sure that it fits into your budget. Most dental insurance companies have upfront pricing or custom quotes available before purchasing a plan.
Read the fine print: It’s important to always take time to figure out what is and is not covered under a dental plan. Some people are surprised to learn that things like cosmetic procedures are not covered by dental insurance.
Don’t wait until the last minute: Don’t get caught in a situation where you need dental insurance but don’t have it. Dental insurance companies often are not able to start coverage immediately, so it’s important to get dental insurance as soon as possible.
Step five: Purchase your dental insurance
Once you know which dental insurance plan makes the most sense for you and your needs, it’s time to invest in coverage.
If your employer offers dental benefits the cost is usually taken out automatically from your paychecks, so you don’t need to worry about making payments as long as you are employed.
Purchasing dental insurance on your own may sound intimidating but it’s easier than most people expect! Most dental insurance companies have online tools where you can sign up for coverage, learn more about costs and benefits, and get answers for other questions you have. If signing up online isn’t preferred, contacting customer service is another great way to enroll. The customer service representative will be able to answer any questions you have and make sure the plan you select is the best fit for you.
Step six: Schedule your first checkup
After you have enrolled in dental coverage, it’s time to schedule your first dental checkup! This is a great time to find a dentist if you don’t have one already, and get your oral health journey started. Many times, dental offices will need documents or ID cards to put you in their system. It’s a good idea to call ahead of your appointment to see what they need from you.
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