Five tips for choosing a dental plan

Dental plans are important, but aren’t always given the same time and attention as medical plans.

“Affordable dental plans aren’t only designed to mitigate dental risks, they can also help employers control overall health care costs,” says Nicholas Kavouklis, president of Argus Dental Plan, based in Tampa, Fla.

Here are five tips to consider when selecting a dental plan for companies, courtesy Kavouklis.

1. Look at the carrier’s dental “in-network.” Ask how many dentists are in the network of approved providers. You want a wide selection of professionals in your region.

2. Be aware of what the plan excludes. Typically, plans have 30 to 40 exclusions, limitations and restrictions. One is the “missing tooth clause,” which excludes any dental work on teeth next to a missing tooth that is pre-existing.

3. Examine innovations in dental insurance that are creating consumer-driven dental healthcare. Consumer-driven plans are dollar-based rather than procedure-based, which gives patients the ability to determine their own care.

4. Ask about online services. Information about benefits, claims, and the dental network is most accessible through the Internet. Plus, online enrollment can save time and money.

5. Know the insurance carrier’s reputation for customer service. You want an insurer who is easily accessible, quick to respond and cares about your company.

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How can I get a Cheap Dental Insurance Plan?

Most people value the importance of health insurance. Unfortunately, not as many people believe that dental insurance is essential to their well being. Don’t underestimate the importance of taking care of your teeth, or you’ll really regret it when you’re older. The good news it that if you need dental insurance, buying a policy is easier than ever before.

Below are five details to keep in mind if you need dental insurance:

1. Check with your employer first. If you get health insurance through your employer, there is a very good chance that you can also get dental coverage. Even better, you can probably get the dental insurance for just a few dollars a month. Simply put, dental insurance is not nearly as expensive as health insurance.

So, before you shop around, ask your benefits department if they offer dental insurance. You may be surprised to find that not only do they offer this coverage, but that they have a couple of plans to choose from. If they don’t, check out the next option.

2. Buy your own dental insurance. If your employer does not offer coverage or you are self-employed, buying a plan on your own is a great idea. There are many online service sites that make this simple. A few to check out include: eHealthInsurance, DentalPlans, and DeltaDentalIns.

3. Discount plan or full-fledged insurance? Many people get confused when shopping for dental insurance because of the number of products on the market. On the one hand, there are dental discount plans. This is not dental insurance. Instead, you will pay a discounted rate for everything from regular checkups to advanced procedures. This type of plan will save you approximately 50 to 60 percent on covered care.

Dental insurance, on the other hand, works like a health insurance plan. You will pay a higher premium for this type of coverage, but it will save you a significant percentage on your dental care and procedures.

4. Consider the details of the policy. Will you pay a co-pay with every office visit? Is there a deductible? Are you covered at 100 percent for all procedures? These are the questions that you need to answer as you shop for a dental insurance policy. For example, some policies have no co-pay but procedures are only covered at 70-75 percent. With this, you need to consider how much you would pay should you need any work done and if you can afford that.

5. What do you get for free? My policy, for example, gives me two free cleanings per year. At the very least, I know that I can go to the dentist for a cleaning, every six months, and not pay a dime. This is quite common, so I urge you to find a dental insurance policy that offers this benefit.

If you follow the above advice and compare at least three policies, you should be able to purchase high-quality coverage at an affordable price.

With many different ways to buy, as well as a variety of policies to choose from, there is no excuse for not keeping your teeth healthy! Do you have any additional tips on shopping for a cheap dental insurance plan?

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Tips for Finding Affordable Dental Insurance

Dental procedures are expensive – there’s no getting around that. For that reason, dental insurance can be quite a blessing. The key is finding dental insurance that you can afford, and that will allow you to experience large discounts on dental procedures. With a few tips and advice, you can find affordable dental insurance and avoid paying an arm and a leg for the dental work you need (of course your best starting point is our in-depth reviews of the bestdental insurance providers).

Compose a List:

The first thing you should do is create a list of dental insurance companies you might be interested in. This is as easy as researching online and finding the most popular companies. You can also receive recommendations from friends, co-workers or family members. Try to list between 5 and 10 companies that you may want to seek coverage from.

Research the Companies:

Next, research the different companies in order to narrow down your choices. You’ll want to look for important things like available features, tools, costs and co-pay prices. A few things you’ll want to look for include:

• Tools like dentist finder, online enrollment, the ability to track a claim online, and online payment options.
• Customer service options – do they have an FAQ section, email addresses, telephone numbers and online chat options to better serve their customers?
• The amount of information available on their site – the better informed you are, the better able you are to make a great decision.
• Secure site – it’s important that your information is protected as you apply for coverage. A secure site shows that a company cares about their customers’ privacy.

Most dental insurance companies offer $1,000 per year in coverage, which is the maximum amount that can be paid out to dentists. The price of coverage often depends upon the type of plan you choose, and what kinds of procedures you need done. Make notes on your list reflecting those features and costs. If you come across a company that simply isn’t up to par, mark it off of your list.

Speak with Insurance Agents:

After you’ve marked several companies off your list, call the ones that are left. Speak with insurance agents and ask any questions that you may have to clarify exactly what kind of coverage you can get. Ask about the dentists’ network. Are you covered no matter which dentist you choose, or will you need to choose a dentist in the plan’s network?

If there are any questions the company’s website didn’t answer, ask those while you’re on the phone with the agent. Look through the plan options on these companies’ websites and compare if possible. This should help you narrow down your choices by a good bit. As you’re speaking with the agents, make notes on your list regarding the different things you’re told.

Make Your Decision:

Use your list and notes as a reference to determine which dental insurance company would be best for you. When you’ve decided, go through the plans to determine which plan would best suit your needs. When you have the information you need, you can find affordable dental insurance easily.

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5 tips for dental insurance

Taking care of our teeth and gums is an important part of our overall health. It’s also an area that’s often overlooked. According to a 2011 Gallup Poll, 35% of all American adults had not visited a dentist within the last 12 months.

The primary reason people delay dental visits? According to a 2012 Consumer Reports survey, the cost of care tops the list.

People with dental insurance were more likely than those without coverage to regularly visit the dentist. But roughly 130 million Americans don’t have dental insurance. Among those that do, the average annual benefit is only about $1,000 to $1,500, not enough to cover any serious procedures.

Here are 6 tips for saving money on dental care:

1. Discuss alternatives: By simply letting your dentist know that cost is an issue he or she may be able to suggest alternative treatments that are less expensive but just as effective.

2. Negotiate: As with any type of medical care, you should never assume the asking price for a particular service is the final amount your health care provider will accept. First check to find the average cost of the procedure you need in your area. You can do that by entering your zip code and the dental procedure at Fairhealthconsumer.org. Ask your dentist to accept the rate you find on the site or, alternatively, negotiate for an even lower price. Paying cash often gives you a better shot at a discount.

3. Join a discount plan: Dental discount plans are not insurance. Instead, they offer rates reduced by as much as 10% to 60% on a range of dental procedures provided by participating dentists. To search for a plan, you can enter your zip code at DentalPlans.com.

4. Go to school: Good dental treatment at lower cost is available at schools of dentistry, where students are trained under the supervision of a licensed professional. For a list of schools, check out the American Dental Association’s website.

5. Catch a break: You can search for low-cost dental care at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. In addition, community health centers sometimes offer dental care on a sliding fee scale. Check your local health department for locations near you.
6. Go pro-bono: There are dental clinics throughout the country that offer free care. To find a clinic near you, search FreeDentalWork.org. In addition, Dentistry From The Hearthas hundreds of events each year, during which free dental care is made available to communities across the country.

Your turn: Have you found ways of cutting down on pricey dental costs? Share your experience in the comments section below.

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