Educate Yourself Before Opting for a Dental Plan – 5 Questions To Ask

There are so many dental plan providers out there and even more dental plans that it becomes confusing and stressful to even choose one.

While the main objective of all dental plans is the same, all of them do differ slightly in their features, pricing and networks. Don’t worry though; dental plans aren’t perplexing like health insurance. They are much easier to understand.
Dental plans are straightforward and definitive about what services are covered and how much you might have to pay out of your own pocket.

Dental plans are designed to provide some sort of cover to people so that they can keep their oral hygiene in check without going broke.

Dental work can be expensive and not everybody would be able to afford it if wasn’t discounted to an extent. This is one of the major reasons why so many people opt for dental plans in the first place. A number of procedures are covered by your plan, and you will be exempted to pay for a certain percentage of the total bill. The rest of the bill, however, will go out of your own pocket.

The monthly premium for dental plans can vary significantly. Even if you don’t frequent the dentist too often, having a plan will help since you never know when disaster might strike. With that said, it also important to bear in mind that you have to pay these premiums regardless of whether you’re getting any dental work done.

Dental plans generally cover basic dental procedures like root canals, cleanings, and x-rays. They do not cover every dental procedure under the sun. You will have to study your chosen plan carefully to see what services are covered and which ones aren’t. Dental plans usually cover 100% of preventive dental work, and only about 50% of more complex works.

Let’s See How Dental Plans Work

There are several types of dental plans offered by providers. You should choose a dental plan based on the kind of coverage the plan is providing as well as your budget. If the dentist you want to consult is within the dental policy’s network, or if you don’t have a specific dentist in mind and are okay with picking anybody from the policy’s network, you can buy a cheaper plan. If the dentist you want is not within the network, then it might cost you substantially more to get coverage.

What Kind of Dental Plans Would Be Best for You?

There really is no standard answer to this; it is entirely dependent on your dental needs.
Keep these considerations in mind when choosing a plan to make the best choice.

• How many doctors are there in the dental plan provider’s network?
• How much would you be saving annually?
• Should go for an independent dental plan provider or opt for government offered dental plans?

The plan you choose today is going to stay with you for a year, so make an informed decision. Ask questions, do your research, and consult with your family, friends, or your dentist about the plan you should be opting for.

Some important questions that you need to ask if you’re planning on purchasing a dental plan are below:

Q. What Annual and Biannual Preventative Services are Covered?

This is the most important question to ask. Be very certain about the services that are covered by your dental plan or you’re going to end up losing more money than you’re saving.

If you’re someone who needs to frequent the dentist’s office for major work, like root canals or crowns, maybe you should opt for a slightly more expensive plan that covers the more expensive and extensive treatments like the ones you require so you can reap maximum benefits from the plan. Make sure the preventative dental procedures are offered under the plan.

Q. Am I Allowed to Choose My Own Dentist?

Some dental plans offer this facility, some don’t. Ask your provider if you have the liberty to choose your own dentist or not beforehand. If they do allow it, check if there is an extra charge involved and how much.

Often the additional charges are so excessive that the entire point of opting for a dental plan is rendered useless. If you do have a good dentist in mind, it might be worth paying a little extra money to buy a slightly more expensive plan that includes your choice of dentist in the first place.

Q. What Are the Deductibles, Co–Payments and Other Out-of-pocket Expenses

Deductibles are the amount that you have to pay before your plan covers you. Though with some plans, you don’t have to pay the deductible for routine dental checkups and x-rays.

Copayment is a fixed amount that the patient has to pay out of their own pocket for a procedure and the rest would be picked up by the provider…

Educate yourself about these terms and how much they will cost you annually. Carefully compare the costs between different plans and decide accordingly.

Q. Is My Coverage Limited to the Cheapest Available Treatment Options

Ask if you have the option of choosing an alternative dentist or treatment plan than the one suggested by the plan. There are some plans which would not pay for any doctor not included in the plan’s network and some let you choose a better, more expensive treatment plan, as long as you pay the difference.

Q. Is There A Procedure And Waiting Period For Emergency Dental Care?

Some plans need prior authorization, before they can move forward with emergency dental care. While for some there is no waiting period. If there is a process, what is the procedure for getting your claim approved? Be very clear about these details, so there is no confusion and uncertainty in an emergency situation later.