Health insurance plans typically don’t include any type of dental coverage, and 22% of Americans currently don’t have any type of dental insurance. If you want to protect your choppers, you’ll need additional insurance. Luckily, many employers offer dental plans for their employees, but it’s important to pick the right one. Here are a few tips for choosing a dental plan through your job.
Why it’s important to have a dental plan
Your teeth are important. And problems like cavities and gum disease can impact more than just your mouth; they can impact your entire body’s wellbeing! By providing dental coverage, employers can help promote their employees’ wellbeing by encouraging preventative care and minimizing absences due to dental-related issues.
Of course, dental work can be expensive, too. And a good dental insurance plan can help offset the costs of everything from regular preventative examinations all the way up to major procedures like root canals, orthodontics, and more. When dental work is covered by insurance, you’re more likely to take advantage of regular cleanings, helping you and your family stay happy and healthy.
The dos and don’ts of choosing a dental plan
Not all dental plans are created equal. Choosing a dental plant that fits your and your family’s needs is of the utmost importance. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you understand the dos and don’ts of dental insurance:
Do:
- Assess your dental needs – How is your dental health currently, and do you have any anticipated treatments like cleanings, fillings, orthodontics, etc.?
- Review your provider network – Make sure your preferred dentist is in your plan’s network. And if you don’t have a regular dentist, make sure there that other highly rated dentists are covered.
- Check coverage levels – Ensure that the procedures you need (or will need) are covered. Think of big expenses like root canals, crowns, and orthodontics.
- Understand the costs – It’s not just about the premiums. Compare deductibles, co-pays, and annual maximums to estimate potential out-of-pocket costs.
- Think about your family’s needs – Check coverage for dependents, like children’s dental care and braces. Make sure the plan fits your entire family’s needs.
Don’t:
- Pick a plan based only on premiums – In many instances, you get what you pay for. Choosing a dental plan with the cheapest premiums might come with high out-of-pocket expenses. Consider all the costs like co-pays and deductibles when choosing a dental plan, not just the monthly premium.
- Overlook the fine print – Insurance plans can be complicated. Make sue you understand everything about your plan like the exclusions, coverage limits, and annual maximums. It’s the only way to avoid surprises.
- Assume plans cover the same things – Every plan is different. Some might cover everything while others don’t even help with cleanings. Always check a plan’s details to understand the extent of coverage.
- Wait until the last minute – The more time you give yourself to research and review plans, the more prepared you’ll be when enrollment time finally comes around. Last-minute scrambles lead to hasty decisions.
Really, choosing a dental plan comes down to being prepared. Read all you can, review the options, and choose the plan that best fits your family’s needs. It might not be the first (or second) plan you see.
Your dental plan checklist
Think you’re ready to choose a dental plan? Here’s a quick checklist to help you narrow the search down to the perfect dental insurance plan for your needs:
- Identify your priorities – What is most important to you in a dental plan? Is it low premiums, full coverage, or access to specific providers?
- Who needs coverage – Think about who in your family will need dental coverage.
- Immediate vs. long-term needs – Do you need dental work right away, or are you more focused on preventative care and long-term coverage?
- What are the coverage limits – Check the maximum annual benefit to make sure it aligns with any dental work you have planned.
- Are there any additional perks – Look for wellness programs, discounts on cosmetic dentistry, coverage for dental implants, and other benefits that might help you decide on a plan.
- Understand the enrollment deadlines – When is the open enrollment period, and are there any penalties for late enrollment?
As you’re choosing a dental plan, keep an eye out for plans that delay or phase in coverage over time. For example, a plan might offer coverage for small, preventative care procedures (like cleanings) right away but only offer coverage for major procedures like crowns and orthodontics after a year or more.
These coverage delays are common for many dental insurance plans. They’re designed to discourage people from signing up for insurance, getting a quick cleaning, then canceling their policy. Watch for these key words when shopping for plans:
- Waiting periods – a specific amount of time before certain treatments are covered.
- Phased-in coverage – coverage percentage increases over time.
Choosing a dental plan that “checks” all these boxes will provide you and your family with the exact dental coverage you need to be happy and healthy for years to come!
Ready to find the perfect dental plan for your family’s needs?
Choosing a dental plan that perfectly fits your family’s needs isn’t easy. There’s a wide variety of plans out there, and if you need help choosing the right health insurance plan, contact the experts at Health Benefits Associates.
Our helpful agents are well-versed in the health insurance landscape and can help you find the right plan to fit your budget and goals. Contact us today at 775-828-1216. We look forward to working with you!
