There has been a long-standing debate as to whether dental insurance is worth the cost. Some dentists now offer their own dental plans or discounts which tend to be cheaper yearly than a year of dental insurance plan.
Here are the pros and cons of a dental insurance plan to make the decision as to whether it is right for you:
Pros:
You get access to a wide variety of providers
With dental insurance, there are so many providers to choose from. If you find one you do not like, you can try another, all covered under the same benefits. However, if you decided to go with another dentist and opt for private pay, they may not offer the same pricing or benefits you are used to at your old dentist.
Free cleanings, a set of X-rays, and an exam are all covered
Two free cleanings and a yearly check-up is covered under dental insurance. This can be convenient for you because it will lower the overall cost of your visits, and if you do not need any major work done, you can leave the office paying a small copay (if applicable). On the other hand, if you opt for private pay, you pay the full cost of the visit, or a discount if you got one, and this could limit the number of visits you book because of cost.
Negotiated rates
Like health insurance, dental insurance also pays negotiated rates for services. This is a great benefit because you get discounts that are already applied at the time of the service because they have already been worked out with the insurance company. In contrast to being a private pay patient, you have to pay the rate of the dental office, which could be full price or a small discount depending on whether the dentist offers their own insurance
Cons:
Coverage limits
Dental insurance plans often have coverage limits. This means that the plan only covers between $1,000- $3,000 of work and the rest of the cost is your responsibility. This can be inconvenient if you have a big ticket item like a crown or root canal. However, dental insurance could still be beneficial because it gives you a discount so you did not have to pay full price for the service.
Waiting periods
There are usually waiting periods built into dental insurance plans. This means that you must wait 6-12 months to get a service. Insurers have added this clause due to past use of the plans where customers purchased a plan, got their work done, and canceled the plan the next day. This could not be a big deal if you don’t need work right away, but if you have a planned dental procedure, it is inconvenient.
Dental benefits not included in health insurance plans
Usually, dental benefits are not included in insurance plans and you must purchase a separate policy to help cover the cost. One exception to this is Medicare Advantage and child dental on ACA plans, but adults ages 18-64 usually rely on employer dental coverage or stand-alone options. This adds to your monthly insurance cost so it is important to budget for it if you want dental coverage as part of your plan.
Doesn’t cover major services
Finally, some plans do not cover major services. These can be classified as crowns, root canals, or extractions. Because of this, it is important to look over the plan details before deciding which plan is best for you, or you could be left with major gaps in coverage.
Overall, dental insurance can be a good deal. Like all insurance, it can be good to have just in case you need a dental procedure in the future. However, if you need dental work right away, dental insurance may not be right for you and it may be easier to work with your dentist to negotiate a discount on your bill.
Contact me today for a free quote.