Dental Coverage Plans

Did you know that not only is maintaining your teeth important to your appearance, but it is also very valuable to your health? As we all know our teeth help us chew our food which allows us to nourish our bodies, but there are other things that we should not overlook when we are deciding whether or not to participate in a dental plan.

Regular visits to your dentist can help prevent other problems in your body. A tooth infection or other dental problems may not only be very painful to you and your wallet but can also lead to Heart Disease, Diabetes and other complications. Infection in your teeth or gums can cause infection in other parts of your body because your teeth and gums are connected to your bloodstream.

There are different categories of dental service that determine the coverage you receive for you and your family. These categories mandate what services are covered and at what percentage. Be sure you compare the out-of-pocket cost of the dental premium to the actual amount the procedure will cost you. You may find that paying the monthly premium is actually very economical in comparison to what expenses could be incurred if you were to have basic procedures done, let alone a major procedure.

There are usually a couple of options to choose from when you are making your decision about coverage. A basic plan and a premier or premium plan may be offered. These are sometimes referred to as low-option and high-option. If you and your dependents have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile, the low option might be right for you. The premium will be lower, but keep in mind the benefit paid will be lower too. Maybe you have teeth that are in poor condition, not necessarily from anything you did, but face it, we are all not blessed with perfect teeth. If that is the case, you might opt for the high option. The benefit paid to your dentist will be higher so it can in fact save you money even though the premiums are higher.

You may also have the option of choosing between a pre-paid plan and an indemnity plan. The pre-paid plans have a network of dentists for you to choose from. The dentist will usually file the claim for you and payment is issued based on rates that are already set. By choosing a dentist in network, you will have less out-of-pocket expense. Indemnity plans differ from the pre-paid plans in several ways. There is no network of dentists, so more may be required on your end. You may be responsible for paying for some services and then filing for reimbursement yourself. Some will still want to select this option because they can choose any dentist they want to provide their dental care.

Opting for dental coverage may not be something you have considered before, but remember that proper dental care is important to your health. By doing your research on the plan(s) offered, you are taking a good step towards maintaining your health. Now, I think that is worth smiling about!

Houze & Associates can shop your needed coverage to some or all of the following carriers:

Aetna

American General

American Heritage/Allstate

Standard Life Insurance Company

Delta Dental