Dental Insurance

It’s no secret that going to the dentist can be expensive depending of course on the severity of one's oral condition, which makes many people look into purchasing dental insurance. If you are thinking about buying a dental insurance plan, here are some things you should consider.

Many dental plans operate with a specific network of dentists. This means you have to use a dentist who is part of the network in order to get the full benefit of the plan. Some plans are even more restrictive and will not pay anything unless you use a dentist who is part of their network. Before buying a plan, determine if you are limited to a set network of dentists and check to see that there are reputable participating dentists in your area. If you already have a relationship with a dentist and do not want to change, check to see if he or she is participating with the plan you are considering and if not how to maximize your out-of-network benefits.
Most plans will have a yearly maximum benefit, generally between $1,000 and $2,000. This represents the total amount they will pay for the entire year and is on the low side by today's standards of care. It is important to realize that if your dental costs exceed the plans maximum amount, you will be responsible for the difference. When comparing plans, take into consideration the premium amounts you will be paying compared with the total amount of coverage you will be getting.
Many plans have specified waiting periods for certain procedures. For example, a plan may cover simple work right away, but require you to wait 6 or 12 months before they will cover any major work. Before you decide on a plan, make sure you find out if there is a waiting period and if so, what types of procedures it applies to.
Almost all dental plans break down procedures into preventive, basic, or major classifications. When looking at a dental plan, make sure you understand how they classify certain procedures and how those are covered by the plan. If you need major work, such as an onlay, a crown, a bridge and/or implants, check with the plan description to understand if these are covered and at what percentage. This will help keep you from being surprised later on with an unexpected expense. 

In conclusion, one needs to realize that regardless of any insurance, a certain level of commitment and financial responsibility on your own part is necessary for maintaining a healthy mouth. However, every little bit of assistance is obviously helpful and the name of the game is to maximize your benefits by weighing your specific options. At my practice, Elite Dental Studios, after a comprehensive examination we come up with an ideal treatment plan and then we make sure that all finances are discussed and understood before any treatment is performed. This is to avoid any surprises in the future. We also offer interest free 12 month financing to those who are eligible. Bottom line is that lack of insurance should not be a deal breaker because your teeth are just too important not to take care of!