The world always looks brighter from behind your smile. Dental insurance ensures that your smile remains in place. People often ignore the importance of dental insurance, as they think that regular brushing and flossing will be enough to keep their teeth in good health. However, it is always not the case. You might end up paying a hefty sum during dental accidents. Besides, one needs to have dental check-ups or cleaning done regularly, at least twice a year, to ensure that their teeth and gums are in proper condition. Having dental insurance saves you the cost of those high bill payments.
Employers sometimes include dental protection in their offered group insurance plans. If your employer insurance doesn't provide dental insurance benefits, you can always buy an individual dental insurance policy for yourself. However, you'll need to know about the available dental insurance options when you go out to buy one. Read along to be acquainted with the existing dental plans that are available in the market.
Varieties of dental insurance plans
The American Dental Association puts forward the following kinds of dental insurance plans for all:- Dental HMO plan - This type of health maintenance organization (HMO) plan provides comprehensive coverage for dental care. You'll need to pay a fixed amount at the time of service, and get your check-ups done by a registered dentist. You won't need to pay any extra charges for your check-ups and most other diagnostic and preventive dental care services. However, you might need to co-pay for some dental treatments. Dental HMOs or DHMOs usually come at low cost. The service providers usually accept a fixed payment per policyholder, no matter how much is the extent of services used.
- Dental PPO plan - Dental Preferred Provider Organizations or PPOs offer relative freedom to choose your own dental service provider. This type of plan also has registered dentists in their list, who offer service at low charges. If you get your treatment done by any other specialist, you'll have reduced coverage. The dental service providers usually get paid according to the extent of services used by each policy holder.
- Dental indemnity plan - The policy holder enjoys the freedom to choose any dental care specialist. The insurers make payments to the service providers or dentists, according to the services used by each policy holder.
- Dental discount plans - Discount plans are not considered as dental insurance. Certain dental service providers agree to offer dental treatments at a discounted price. This type of plan is not regulated by the state insurance departments, and purely depends on the agreement between you and the service provider. So, you'll need to be cautious before you sign up for one.
- Dental reimbursement plan - This plan is also not a form of insurance. In this case, the charges for your dental treatments are reimbursed by your employer. You pay for the services out of your own pocket, and then forward the bills to your employer. The employer then compensates all or part of the dental costs utilized by you. No monthly premiums are involved, neither is there any limitation on the choice of service providers.
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