If you are a self-employed person and have had the misfortune of visiting a dentist, you will immediately realize the importance of having a great dentist to help you to alleviate the pain! The only problem is that dentists are expensive. That is where getting good dental insurance becomes so important. And whether you get insurance as part of a group, or individually, you essentially enjoy the same benefits and peace of mind of knowing that your teeth are covered. Ok. So let’s look at the two main types of dental insurance. Group cover and individual cover. The bottom line is that if you have group dental insurance (often through your work), then there is generally no need to buy individual dental insurance. If you are working for a company that provides dental coverage either as a perk or at a reduced rate, then you are fortunate, and there is no need to buy individual dental insurance plans. However, two things need to be said here. Firstly, CHECK! Better to know ahead of time than to face a big bill if you do suffer damage to your teeth. And secondly, if you find that you aren’t covered, or are not covered adequately, then you will need to look at individual dental insurance. Once you have decided to opt for individual dental insurance, then the best thing to do is to go online, surf the net and survey the various companies that offer competitive insurance plans. Because the internet is an absolute boon when it comes to researching your options in this area.
Generally, when you request a quote online for dental insurance, the company will give you a “base” rate quote, which is what an average consumer will pay in your area with average health conditions. This may vary based on your age, health conditions and any previous medical history. One popular type of dental plans are Indemnity Insurance Plans, which are a type of dental insurance whereby you pay the insurance company a fixed monthly fee, and in turn, they reimburse your dentist directly for services rendered. This can be a convenient way of getting treatment, because your dentist deals with the insurance company directly.
Before going with the indemnity insurance plan option though when choosing dental insurance for either your family or yourself, you want to make sure that your preferred dentist accepts the plan. Not all of them do. And that would be a real shocker down the line! Teeth are very personal, and you want to know they are being cared for by someone you trust. One other good tip before buying an individual dental insurance plan and signing on the dotted lines, is to consult your dentist for expert advice. Ask him who he uses, and which companies he recommends or has least payment problems with. If a company is quick to pay the dentist then that is a good sign they are quick to pay out on claims. If you consult several dentists then you will be likely to get different perspectives on the various companies, and the ability to compare opinions and viewpoints also be valuable information.
What typically happens behind the scenes is that the dentist signs a contract with the sponsor of the plan, and provides all or a specific number of treatments covered under the dental insurance program. A list is given of what is covered and for how much, any amounts over are not reimbursed by the dental insurance though. So read the small print carefully as to what is covered and what is not. With so many dental insurance plans to choose from it can be a daunting task to determine which plan is best for your needs or the needs of your family. So take advice from the internet, family, friends, and of course dentists as mentioned earlier. Your teeth is an area where prior research really pays off.
The truth is that these days, there are many companies offering dental insurance plans. And online you can find many sites that can compare dental plans directly. Not all plans are created equal though. So be sure to compare like with like. Top notch cover costs more. And there are even specialist cover options which are now becoming available. For example, these days, a lot of schools are offering dental insurance plans for children, and this can make things easier for parents, as they can pay for the dental plan along with the school fees. Whatever you opt for though act today and make sure that your pearly whites are covered 😉
