Choosing Your Dental Insurance: Cost, Options, and Coverage

Every year, dental insurance helps people overcome the top reason that they do not see a dentist— the inability to afford dental care.

However, according to an ADA survey, the second reason that people don’t go to the dentist is because their “insurance did not cover procedures.” Because of this, it’s essential that you understand the various features of dental plans before you enroll.

In addition, some dentists also offer dental membership plans as an alternative to traditional insurance. These plans typically include paying a nominal yearly membership fee and receiving substantial discounts on treatment.

Now, let’s compare your insurance options and understand what services they cover.

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

When asking questions like “which dental insurance covers implants?” you need to understand the difference between dental benefits and dental insurance.

Most dental plans are benefit plans. This means that your insurance covers some procedures in full, such as dental cleanings and regular exams. Other procedures such as root canals, crowns, and fillings are only partially covered.

When comparing dental plans, you should compare their:

Deductible: The amount you have to pay before your plan’s coverage begins.
Annual maximum: The amount your plan will pay in a year. Some plans also have a lifetime maximum.
Waiting period: This is a period you must wait after enrolling in a plan before coverage begins.
Pre-existing conditions: You may be responsible for paying for any conditions you had at the time of enrollment.

What are the Best Dental Insurance Plans?

After comparing the above features, you should look for a plan that offers you a broad network of dentists from which to choose. Additionally, your ideal plan should have a reasonable deductible, yearly maximum, waiting period, and a potentially low premium.

Here are a few of the best dental insurance plans available:

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization).

Most dental plans are PPOs that provide a list of dentists enrolled in the plan. These dentists agree to treat you for set fees that minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. However, these costs will increase if you choose an out-of-network provider.

Cigna

Cigna insurance is a leading provider of medical insurance. Their top dental plan does not require that you have a primary dentist or referral to see a specialist.

MetLife

MetLife insurance offers a popular plan with a broad network of thousands of dentists.

AARP

Administered by Delta Dental, AARP offers three plans to fit almost any budget.

How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost?

The cost of dental treatment has increased significantly in the last twenty years and continues to rise 5% annually.

Unfortunately, more than one hundred million people have no dental insurance, including seventy percent of older Americans. One reason for this is the high premiums individuals pay when not covered by an employer.

For example, the insurance that MetLife offers businesses is significantly better than that offered to private individuals. One study found that the average amount spent on dental care was $978 for those with insurance and $1007 for those without coverage. This demonstrates the need for each individual to carefully examine each dental plan in light of their needs.

Can I Go to the Dentist without Insurance?

You should not let being without dental insurance keep you from seeing a dentist regularly. One of the main reasons is that prevention and early detection of problems can help you avoid more expensive costs in the future. If you don’t have insurance that Cigna or other major companies offer, you might be able to work out a payment plan with a dentist.

Here’s how much it costs to go to the dentist without insurance.

Want to know our out-of-pocket prices? Just call and ask! Lasry Dental Clinic is located in South Beverly and Wilshire in between Beverly Hills and Beverlywood.

Dental Insurance: Options, Cost, Pricing, and What it Covers