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Last Update: Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:31 AM

Author: Jason Woolard, www.The-Insurance-Place.com

email: jwoolard@the-insurance-place.com

Article: Dental Insurance - Comparing Dental Insurance Plans

Dental insurance coverage can be very confusing.  The majority of Americans are able to get some sort of group dental coverage through their employer, which makes the process very simple.  Do you want the coverage or not?  Yes, I want the coverage.  But for the rest of us, we have to search, fill out forms, compare 20 companies, compare 100's of plans and get extremely disgusted with the process.  Do you really know what you're comparing?  Here's some help.

Comparing dental insurance companies.  Look for companies you know.  There are 100's of fly-by-night companies out there trying to rip people off.  Companies like, Blue Cross, Aetna and Humana have been around for many years and will be around when you need them.

Comparing dental insurance plans.  Do you know the difference between PPO (preferred provider organization) & DHMO (dental health maintenance organization).  A PPO is a network of dentist that accept a particular insurance plan.  With a PPO, you have in-network and out-of-network benefits.  Basically you have better cover in-network.  You can see any dentist in-network at any time without needing a referral.  On the other hand, with an DHMO you will need a referral to see any other dentist than your primary dentist.  Conclusion, you have better control of your dental care with a PPO plan.  Also, there are not very many HMO's left.  Most companies only offer PPO plans.

Comparing dental insurance benefits.  Deductible, dentist copay, coinsurance, there are a lot of different options.  This is the simplest way to explain it.  When you go to the dentist, you pay your dentist's office copay.  Your deductible is per member per year.  So, everything that is not covered by the copay, you will pay out-of-pocket until you meet your deductible.  Then you pay your coinsurance, usually 20-30%.  Once you meet your coinsurance maximum, the company will pay 100%.  Your coinsurance maximum is usually 3 times your deductible. 

It sounds like you are not get very much benefit form the dental insurance, but you have to remember what insurance is really intended to do.  Dental Insurance is intended to protect you, in the event of a catastrophe, from losing your life savings or filing for bankruptcy.

My personal advice is, and this is what I tell my clients...Get a dental insurance policy that you can comfortably afford.  If your teeth are in healthy and you never go to the dentist, get a higher deductible plan with limited dentist's office benefit.  If you are in poor dental health, or you have a young child that goes to the dentist often, get a plan with a lower deductible and better dentist's office benefit.  Sounds like common sense right?  Well, it is.  You need dental insurance coverage, so get something you can afford and trust.

 

About the author... Jason Woolard, owner of www.The-Insurance-Place.com, has been selling and servicing dental insurance plans since 1995.  With over 10 years experience, he can help you find the right dental insurance plan for your needs.  Please visit www.the-insurance-place.com for Affordable Dental Insurance.