Dental Insurance - Should you Purchase Dental Insurance? Facts to Consider Before Buying Dental Insurance

With the rising cost of going to the dentist, many people are struggling with the decision of whether or not to purchase dental insurance. Whether you are considering buying dental insurance through your employer or independently, be sure to investigate several different plans and ask questions about the factors listed below. This information will help you choose the right dental insurance plan before signing on the dotted line.

Affordability and Yearly Maximum

The yearly maximum is the most money that the dental insurance plan will pay within one full year. The yearly maximum will automatically renew every year. If you have unused benefits, these will not roll over. Most dental insurance companies allow an average yearly maximum of $1,000.

In/Out of Network Dentists

Most independent dental insurance plans will only pay for your dental services if you go to a contracted and participating In-Network Dentist. Find out if you are required to go to a participating dentist or if you can chooseyour own. If the plan requires that you see an In-Network Dentist, ask for a list of the dentists in your area with whom they are contracted so you can decide if they have a dentist you would consider seeing.

If you wish to stay with your current dentist, some policies allow you to see an Out-of-Network Dentist, however, the costs covered may be significantly lowered.

UCR (Usual Customary and Reasonable)

Almost all dental insurance companies use what is called a Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR) fee guide.

This means that they set their own price that they will allow for every dental procedure that they cover. This is not based on what a dentist actually charges, but what the dental insurance company wishes to cover. For example, your dentist may charge $78 for adental cleaning, but your insurance company will only allow $58 because that is the UCR fee that they have set.

If you are on a policy that requires you to go to a participating provider, you should not be charged the difference between these two prices. A contracted dentist generally has an agreement with the insurance company to write off the difference in charges. If the policy allows you to go to a dentist of your choice, check the insurance company’s UCR fee guide against the fees that dentist charges. You may be required to pay the difference out of your pocket, however, you cannot put a price tag on quality dental care.

Dental Insurance Coverage Types

According to most dental insurance companies, dental procedures are broken down into three categories:

1. Preventative
   Most insurance companies consider routine cleanings and examinations as preventative dental care, however, X-rays, sealants and fluoride can be deemed as preventative or basic, depending upon the specific insurance carrier.
2. Basic or Restorative
   Basic or restorative dental treatment usually consists of fillings and simple extractions.Root canals can be considered basic or major. However, the majority of dental plans list root canals as basic.
3. Major
   Crowns, bridges, dentures, partials, surgical extractions and dental implants are dental procedures that most dental insurance companies consider as a major procedure.

Since all dental insurance carriers are different, it is important to clarify which dental procedures fall under each specific category. This is important because some insurance plans don't cover major procedures and others have waiting periods for certain procedures. If you know that you will need major dental work that is not covered by a given plan, you should probably look elsewhere to find one that suits all of your needs.

Dental Insurance Waiting Periods

A waiting period is the length of time an insurance company will make you wait after you are covered before they will pay for certain procedures. For instance, if you need a crown and the policy has a 12 month or longer waiting period, chances are you could have already paid for your crown while you have been paying your premiums and waiting.

Missing Tooth Clause and Replacement Period

More than 90 percent of dental insurance policies carry a “missing tooth clause” or a “replacement clause.” Many include at least one of these clauses, but most have both. Amissing tooth clause protects the insurance company from paying for the replacement of a tooth that was missing before the policy was in effect. For example, if you lost a tooth before your coverage started and later decided that you would like to have a partial, bridge or implant, the insurance company would not have to pay for that service if they have a missing tooth clause in the plan. A replacement clause is similar except that the insurance company won’t pay to replace procedures such as dentures, partials or bridges until the specified time limit has passed.

Facts to Consider Before Buying Dental Insurance

With the rising cost of going to the dentist, many people are struggling with the decision of whether or not to purchase dental insurance. Whether you are considering buying dental insurance through your employer or independently, be sure to investigate several different plans and ask questions about the factors listed below. This information will help you choose the right dental insurance plan before signing on the dotted line.

Affordability and Yearly Maximum

The yearly maximum is the most money that the dental insurance plan will pay within one full year. The yearly maximum will automatically renew every year. If you have unused benefits, these will not roll over. Most dental insurance companies allow an average yearly maximum of $1,000.

In/Out of Network Dentists

Most independent dental insurance plans will only pay for your dental services if you go to a contracted and participating In-Network Dentist. Find out if you are required to go to a participating dentist or if you can choose your own. If the plan requires that you see an In-Network Dentist, ask for a list of the dentists in your area with whom they are contracted so you can decide if they have a dentist you would consider seeing.

If you wish to stay with your current dentist, some policies allow you to see an Out-of-Network Dentist, however, the costs covered may be significantly lowered.

UCR (Usual Customary and Reasonable)

Almost all dental insurance companies use what is called a Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR) fee guide. This means that they set their own price that they will allow for every dental procedure that they cover. This is not based on what a dentist actually charges, but what the dental insurance company wishes to cover. For example, your dentist may charge $78 for a dental cleaning, but your insurance company will only allow $58 because that is the UCR fee that they have set.

If you are on a policy that requires you to go to a participating provider, you should not be charged the difference between these two prices. A contracted dentist generally has an agreement with the insurance company to write off the difference in charges. If the policy allows you to go to a dentist of your choice, check the insurance company’s UCR fee guide against the fees that dentist charges. You may be required to pay the difference out of your pocket, however, you cannot put a price tag on quality dental care.

Dental Insurance Coverage Types

According to most dental insurance companies, dental procedures are broken down into three categories:

1. Preventative
   Most insurance companies consider routine cleanings and examinations as preventative dental care, however, X-rays, sealants and fluoride can be deemed as preventative or basic, depending upon the specific insurance carrier.
2. Basic or Restorative
   Basic or restorative dental treatment usually consists of fillings and simple extractions.Root canals can be considered basic or major. However, the majority of dental plans list root canals as basic.
3. Major
   Crowns, bridges, dentures, partials, surgical extractions and dental implants are dental procedures that most dental insurance companies consider as a major procedure.

Since all dental insurance carriers are different, it is important to clarify which dental procedures fall under each specific category. This is important because some insurance plans don't cover major procedures and others have waiting periods for certain procedures. If you know that you will need major dental work that is not covered by a given plan, you should probably look elsewhere to find one that suits all of your needs.

Dental Insurance Waiting Periods

A waiting period is the length of time an insurance company will make you wait after you are covered before they will pay for certain procedures. For instance, if you need a crown and the policy has a 12 month or longer waiting period, chances are you could have already paid for your crown while you have been paying your premiums and waiting.

Missing Tooth Clause and Replacement Period

More than 90 percent of dental insurance policies carry a “missing tooth clause” or a “replacement clause.” Many include at least one of these clauses, but most have both. Amissing tooth clause protects the insurance company from paying for the replacement of a tooth that was missing before the policy was in effect. For example, if you lost a tooth before your coverage started and later decided that you would like to have a partial, bridge or implant, the insurance company would not have to pay for that service if they have a missing tooth clause in the plan. A replacement clause is similar except that the insurance company won’t pay to replace procedures such as dentures, partials or bridges until the specified time limit has passed.

For Information on Dental Plans, please log onto: http://www.InsuranceMarketingGroups.com or call 909.254.5954.