Questions to Ask when Choosing Dental Insurance

It’s a new year! Now, is the time to make some changes, including getting dental insurance for you and your family! Having a dental plan is there to help cover everything form routine exams and cleanings to unexpected dental emergencies. Rather than worry about the cost of what could go wrong or avoid the dentist completely because you can’t afford it, look into different dental plans to see what fits your family’s needs and doesn’t break the bank! There are plenty of dental insurance options out there to make sure no dental issue goes untreated.

Here are 4 questions to ask when choosing the right dental plan for you and your family:

1. What Type of Plan Fits Your Budget?

You want to make sure that when shopping for dental insurance, you choose a plan that will fit comfortably into your monthly budget. There are generally two types of dental plans: PPOs and DHMOs. It is important that you understand the difference when making your decision.

• DHMOs typically have less out-of-pocket expense than a PPO policy. However, you are generally assigned one primary care dentist, and may only see this dentist. You will also have to obtain an approved referral for any specialist.
• PPOs, while typically more expensive than a DHMO, allow you more leniency in choosing a dentist, and do not require a referral.

When deciding what is best for your family you will have to weigh costs and convenience. 

2. What Treatments Would Be Covered by The Plan?

Both types of plans typically cover routine dental care, such as cleanings, x-rays, exams, and maybe even fillings. But only certain plans will cover procedures such root canals, crowns, periodontal scaling, braces, or dentures. It is important that you do your research when choosing a plan to ensure it provides the dental services and options that you and your family need. You will also want to see if you plan has any waiting periods on certain covered procedures. This means that you will have to pay your monthly premium for a certain number of consecutive months (such as 6 months or 12 months) before the plan will pay their percentage for a procedure.

3. What Is the Annual Maximum and Deductible?

Always be sure to understand what the maximum annual limit is for the dental insurance plan. This refers to the maximum amount that the plan will payout towards your dental procedures each year (how much you will save each year). Once you have reached your maximum for the year, you will be responsible for any additional costs in that period. Some plans will also limit the number of procedures you can have done in a year. You should also consider the cost of the deductible. This is usually a set dollar amount; you must pay each year before the dental plan starts to cover procedures. You’ll want to choose the lowest deductible possible, if you can afford the premium for the plan.

4. Does the Plan Cover your Family?

There are different plans offered for individuals and families. If you have a family, then choosing a family plan is right for you. Family plans will have different maximums, deductibles, and limits than an individual plan. It’s important to find out if the maximums and deductibles are met in total or by each individual family member.

Everyone has different dental needs. When deciding what plan is best for you and your family be sure to consider dental health, monthly budget, and convenience into account!

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with any of our skilled dentists at one of our three conveniently located dental office locations within the Kansas City area, including Lee’s Summit / Independence, the Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City. The gentle dentists and expert team at Thomas L. Anderson and Associates look forward to working with you to treat your dental emergency, and achieve proper oral health and a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. If you have any questions about your dental insurance benefits, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We are happy to review your policy! Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment and become part of our dental family.