Dental Insurance

Smile! It is quite important to make sure that you have healthy teeth. This is why dental insurance steps in as one of the essential benefits for employees. How does it work? How far does it cover? Are there different types of dental insurance? Let's dive in and take a closer look.

Definition

What is dental insurance?  Simple. It is a type of insurance that pays for dental care expenses. This can cover routine preventive care like cleanings and checkups, as well as more extensive procedures like fillings, extractions, and root canals. Plus, dental insurance may cover orthodontic treatment and cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening as well.

Coverage

Typically, dental insurance policies have an annual maximum benefit that they will pay out for covered services. It can start from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year, depending on the policy. One thing to note, though. Most dental insurance plans also have a deductible. This means the amount the insured person must pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in.

Types of Dental Insurance Plans

Now that we've learned the definition and coverage of dental insurance, let's see different types of dental insurance plans that you can consider.

• Indemnity Plan - This plan allows you to choose your dental care provider without any restrictions. It pays for a portion of the treatment costs and sometimes has an annual maximum limit.
• Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) - With this plan, you are required to choose a primary dental care provider who will manage all your dental care needs. One thing to note is DHMO plans tend to have lower out-of-pocket costs than other plans.
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) - A PPO plan provides you with a network of dentists to choose from. If you visit an in-network dentist, you will pay a lower cost than when you go out of network. Well, you can also be able to see a dentist outside of your network, but keep in mind that the cost will be higher.
• Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) - If EPO is your plan, then you are required to receive dental care from providers within the network only. One thing to note is EPO plans tend to have lower out-of-pocket costs than other plans.

In-Network vs. Out-of-Network Providers

This is an important part. Dental insurance plans may also have a network of providers they work with to offer discounted rates. These are known as 'in-network providers.' Visiting an in-network dentist can help you save money on out-of-pocket expenses. However, some dental insurance plans allow patients to visit out-of-network providers as well, although the coverage may be, so to speak, less generous.

Conclusion

All in all, dental insurance is an important type of insurance coverage that can help people manage the cost of dental care. By understanding how dental insurance works and what it covers, individuals can make informed decisions about their dental health and financial well-being.