Last Updated on July 14, 2022 by admin
Is Dental Insurance Worth It
Related Topics (Sponsored Ads):
The primary factor to consider before applying for an insurance policy
You can get this financial protection by purchasing a specific insurance coverage plan from the insurance company that suits your needs. However, when it comes to purchasing an insurance coverage plan, the question most people need to ask themselves is, “is it worth it?” because if the insurance is not requisite, you may end up wasting your time and money.
Requisite insurance policy
It is always advisable to apply for only the insurance policy that will offer coverage for ad hoc and inevitable events you are prone to encounter. For instance, if you drive on the road always, you will be susceptible to several forms of accidents that may occur when you least expect. In this case, having auto insurance will financially protect you from the expenses you may incur should you be involved in an accident.
The same thing goes for health insurance because, as living things made up of cells, we are susceptible to various forms of illnesses caused by bacteria, fungal or viral infections that may alter the primary function of the basic and functional unit of life, called a cell. No one is, however, clairvoyant enough to predict when they may fall sick or get bodily injuries. This is why it is always advisable to have at least one health insurance coverage plan should unexpected, but inevitable health conditions or injuries occur.
Health insurance does not usually cover a few health conditions you may think they do, but most health insurance companies provide the insured with a chance to purchase extra coverage. Oral health conditions are one of the medical conditions that are not usually covered by health insurance; however, you may buy a dental insurance coverage plan as an add-on coverage to your health insurance or a stand-alone insurance policy alongside your health insurance should you find the need. But does your teeth need financial protection similar to health insurance?
What Is Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance, as the name implies, is a type of insurance that offers coverage to financially protect the insured from the high cost of ad hoc and regular dental procedures. Dental insurance may appear to be related to health insurance, but they are typically different from health insurance. Although, a few health insurance plans may cover some dental care services such as routine treatment of the teeth that involves the cleaning of the teeth after the insured individual has reached a specific deductible according to their insurance policy.
What Dental Insurance Policy Cover
Dental insurance coverage plans primarily cover a portion or percentage of the cost of dental procedures the insured may incur. However, the level of coverage they offer is limited, in which you will not be eligible to benefit from its coverage once you have reached the coverage limit for the year until you renew your insurance policy. Most dental insurance companies usually offer a dental coverage limit ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 per annum for policyholders who have reached the required deductible.
However, the best dental insurance policy will charge you with monthly premiums rather than charging you for a deductible once you apply for a specific dental coverage plan. The insured may be offered “100-80-50 coverage” in this type of dental insurance policy. What this means is that your dental insurance plan will provide you with coverage for:
= hundred percent of the cost of preventive and routine care like cleaning
= Eighty percent of the cost of basic dental services or procedures such as crowns and fillings
= Fifty percent of the cost of invasive dental procedures, such as root canals and braces to mispositioned or misaligned teeth (overbite and underbite)
What Dental Insurance Does Not Cover
Dental insurance may cover every oral health condition teeth are susceptible to, but not cosmetic procedures, such as elective orthodontics treatments, elective oral surgeries and whitening treatments.
Situations That Make Dental Insurance Worth It
You may be stuck between the thought of purchasing a dental insurance plan or not. However, there are certain circumstances or conditions that will make your purchase of dental plans worthwhile, and they include
– If you have hereditary or genetic dental issues
– If you need the incentive to keep up with your preventive dental care
– If you are self-employed
– If you have hereditary or genetic dental issues
Most oral health conditions do not result solely from excessive sugar intake and poor oral hygiene but may also be due to one’s heredity or genetics. In this case, you will be susceptible to various oral health conditions if your parents or grandparents did frequently suffer from dental issues, such as tooth decay or dental caries and gum disease.
Having dental insurance will harness your susceptibility rate to several oral health conditions that may require regular dental treatments and simultaneously expose you to frequent dental bills.
– If you need the incentive to keep up with your preventive dental care
This is mainly for individuals that find it challenging to keep up to date with their preventive dental care due to several reasons. However, dental insurance usually corrects this problem by providing the insured with a “use it or lose it” incentive to make it to their dental office for the requisite treatments and cleanings they need. According to the American Dental Association, dental insurance covers two annual cleanings.
– If you are self-employed
Being self-employed will hinder you from benefiting from health insurance, dental insurance and vision insurance an employer will provide an employee. In this case, you will have to purchase dental insurance to benefit from its coverage.
When Dental Insurance Is Not Worth It
There are several instances where you may not need a dental insurance coverage plan, especially if you have fewer dental needs. You will not be able to reach your dental insurance company’s deductible. The other most important situation in which you will not need to purchase a dental insurance plan is If your employer offers dental insurance benefits
– If your employer offers dental insurance benefits
Employees usually benefit from employer-offers dental insurance that may appear comprehensive enough to suit their dental needs, such as cleaning, root canals, crowns and fillings. Employer-offered dental insurance usually covers about twenty-five to eighty percent of the cost of their employees’ dental treatments, depending on their dental plans.
