Dental insurance is relatively affordable, on average costing Americans between $15 and $50 a month. To determine if dental insurance is worth it for you, you’ll need to pay attention to your dental habits as well as the type of plan you purchase.
Don’t forget to factor in other dental costs like co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, and annual maximums.
You also need to carefully weigh your likelihood of needing major dental work done as the cost can quickly add up. For people with healthy teeth, it can be cheaper to pay for the cost of routine dental care out of pocket.
Types of dental insurance networks
Insurance providers typically work with a network of dental professionals. To get the most benefit from your plan, you’ll want to choose in-network providers. Let’s look at the most common types of dental networks you might encounter.
PPO
A preferred provider organization (PPO) has a list of preferred dentists in their network. You’re not completely restricted to using a dentist from their list, so if you find a dentist outside their network that you like, you can go to them, but you’ll pay more to do so.
DHMO
A dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) is similar to PPOs in that they provide a list of preferred dentists. This arrangement takes all the guesswork out of knowing how much your dentist appointment will cost. All the dentists in the network have agreed to a set price for their services.
There is no annual maximum or deductible, but you are required to use in-network providers.
Fee-for-service dental plans
These types of dental plans offer the most flexibility with a very large network of providers. However, the price you pay for services can vary significantly. You are required to pay a percentage (which varies according to procedure) and your insurance covers the rest.
Choosing your dental insurance plan
We hope this article has given you some guidance when it comes to dental insurance and dental procedures covered by medical insurance. The most important thing is to stay up-to-date with your dental checkups. Regular exams and cleanings are the best way to avoid expensive dental problems in the first place.
Find a dentist near you and level up your oral wellness today!
