What insurance policies do you cover aspects of your life? If you own your own home or property you almost certainly have homeowners insurance, and the same goes with car insurance covering you in the event of an accident. Of course there is health insurance, helping to cover the costs of your healthcare needs, but what about dental insurance? You go to the dentist twice a year every single year at minimum, and your teeth require a lot of care, making dental insurance an important choice. Here are three things you should know about dental insurance.
Different Types of Plans
The first thing that you need to know about dental insurance is that there are a few different kinds of plans – HMOs and PPOs being the most common. An HMO style plan is usually a slightly more affordable plan at the expense of having a smaller collection of in-network dentists covered by the plan. A PPO offers you the choice of dentist at the expense of higher premiums and deductibles. Depending on your needs, preferences, and budget, you can choose the type of plan that best aligns with your needs.
What it Pay
The next thing that you should know about dental insurance is what it actually pays for and what it does not. Dental insurance usually pays as long as the procedure is medically necessary. This includes things like x-rays, bi-annual cleanings, and checkups at no cost out of pocket to you. The only exception is if you have an HMO plan you must be seeing an in-network dentist in order for your coverage to work. Beyond the essentials, every plan differs. The more expensive your plan, the more non-necessary work is covered under your plan or partially subsidized by your insurance.
Using It
The final thing that you should know about dental insurance is how you actually use it. Having dental coverage is great but it does nothing for your health if you don’t use it. Simply call up your dentist and schedule a cleaning. If it is your first visit to a new dentist the receptionist will have you fill out paperwork and present your insurance card. From there, you usually don’t have to do anything else.
Dental insurance can be confusing but it doesn’t have to be. If you know the right things about dental coverage, then it can be a breeze to keep your teeth healthy. If you know these three things you are more than equipped to get the most from your insurance plan.
Check out this article on why it’s dangerous to drive without car insurance!