Dental insurance help?

Help With Dental Insurance?

• I am in need of cavities to be filled and wisdom teeth to be taken out. I am very new to dental insurance but I am sure that I need it as I really need work done. Can anyone tell me which dental plan should I pick from (there are so many, how do I know they are covered or which is a good deal?) and anything else I should probably know? Thank you for any advice or help, I wish I knew more about the subject but this is the first time doing it on my own because I moved out of my parent's house a few months ago.

• Answer:

  Things you want to consider when choosing dental insurance: 1) Waiting periods Check to see if there are waiting periods on the plan. This means that you have to have the insurance for a certain amount of time before they will cover some procedures. 2) Annual Maximum This is the Max. amount that your insurance plan will pay out in a benefit year before they stop paying. This usually includes the amount they pay for cleanings, exams, x-rays, etc. If the amount that they're paying per year is less than what you would pay in premiums in a year, it's not for you! 3) Network Many (if not most) insurance plans either require you to see a certain dentist (or dentists) or will pay a higher % for seeing the 'in network' dentist. Make sure that they cover the dentist you want to see! 4) Coverage You want to check to make sure they pick up: Diagnostic/preventative, basic, and major (this is basically, exam/cleanings, fillings, and crowns, etc) 5) Medical Coverage Check with your health insurance company to see if there is coverage for your wisdom teeth extractions. Many dental plans will not pay for this procedure if your health insurance covers it (even if the entire amount is applied towards your medical deductible) On a side note, make sure that once you get the coverage, you take advantage of your benefits. Make sure that you read over all of the information that the insurance company sends you so that you know what's covered and what's not covered. This will help you be prepared when you get a treatment plan from your dentist - you will have a good idea of what's covered and what's not. Keep track of your EOBs (explanation of benefits) and how much your insurance is paying out. For example, your insurance company (usually) has an annual maximum payout. If you start running out of those benefits after having your fillings done, wait until the next benefit year to have your wisdom teeth removed and make sure once you have your insurance, go every six months (if covered!) for your cleanings and check ups. Hope this helps! Keep smiling :)