Dental Insurance

Ask any health professional and you’ll always hear the same answer: great oral health is important not just for your teeth, but also for the rest of your body too! Research shows that cavities and gum disease are linked to increased incidents of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, which is why purchasing a great dental insurance plan is so important for you and your family. From check-ups and cleanings to more elaborate procedures like root canals and denture fittings, you want to make sure your dental insurance plan has you covered.

People with dental insurance are more than twice as likely to make regular trips to the dentist, and at LowestRates.com you’ll be able to compare plans from all of the top providers so you’ll never have to worry about not getting good oral care. We know that choosing a plan can be complicated – between deductibles, annual maximum coverage, co-pays and premiums, there are many aspects of dental insurance to consider. LowestRates.com is here to simplify the process by finding you the best plans from the best providers, with features and premiums presented in plain language that anyone can understand. There’s really no easier way to shop for dental insurance: you can quickly compare the costs and benefits of each plan so you know you’re making the best insurance decision possible.

The first thing you’ll need to decide is what type of dental insurance plan is right for you. Most dental insurance providers offer three levels of coverage for you to chose from: Basic, Minor and Major Care.

With Basic Care, you’ll be eligible for a certain number of check-ups and cleaning per year, and you’ll be required to pay a certain percentage of the cost of these procedures. Basic Coverage is largely preventive – you’ll get the minimum amount of care that is required to maintain good oral health.

Minor Care takes your coverage a step further, to include minor and relatively common procedures like tooth fillings and gum treatments. As with Basic Care, you’ll still be required to pay some portion of the costs that you incur at the dentist.

Major Care covers complicated and expensive procedures such as root canals, tooth extractions, bridges and denture fittings. These policies also cover a portion of the total bill, which can be quite high for major procedures.

Of course, the more coverage you have the higher your premiums will be, but a robust dental insurance plan means more protection for you and your family if someone needs serious dental work. Before you purchase a plan, you should also make sure that coverage cannot be denied due to a pre-existing condition like gingivitis, a missing tooth or the like.

You’ll also need to pick between PPO(preferred provider), DHMO(dental HMO) and indemnity dental plans. PPO and DHMO plans both provide a network of dentists for you to choose from, who have all agreed to a predetermined fee structure and payment method. PPO plans allow you to see any dentist you want within the network, while DHMO plans assign you or allow you to select a dentist who is your primary care giver and who provides you with basic preventive care. If you require a major procedure under a DMHO plan, your dentist must refer you to a specialist within the network to perform the work.

In contrast, indemnity plans allow you to see any dentist you choose; there are no networks to worry about or protocols to follow. Indemnity plans are popular in places without extensive health networks. While they allow greater freedom of choice they are also more expensive and charge much higher premiums. The insurance provider also usually only pays a “maximum allowable charge,” beyond which the claimant is required to pay in full. If your dentist charges more for a procedure than your policy allows, you’ll have to make up the difference.

The “maximum allowable charge” is not to be confused with “maximum coverage,” which is simply the maximum amount a provider will pay for claims per year for each insured person. Obviously this number varies widely depending on the plan you choose.

The easiest way to navigate dental insurance is to compare individual plans online, and what better site than LowestRates.com, where we have access to the best plans from the best providers in all 50 states! With our powerful comparison tools you’ll be able to quickly see which plan makes the most sense for you and your family. It’s an important decision and one that shouldn’t be delayed – find a great dental plan at LowestRates.com today!