Dental insurance is an integral part of the overall health benefits package. Many purchase individual or small group dental plans bundled with the medical program they choose on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplace or through their employer.
Individual policies offer a range of options with premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Some also include a network.
Basic Coverage
Most people looking at the individual dental insurance market are coming off Group coverage (directly or as a dependent), and most of the current individual health plans on the market have a limited dental benefit built in. Many standalone dental plans and even discount dental programs can be purchased individually.
These plans vary widely in network size, premium, and deductible cost. For example, HMOs typically have more restrictive networks and require a referral to select specialist dentists. PPOs offer a more comprehensive list of dentists and often have lower out-of-pocket costs, but they are more expensive in monthly premiums than an HMO. Indemnity plans are not tied to specific networks and do not have any cost-sharing requirements, but they are usually more expensive than a PPO or an HMO.
Another critical point is the amount of coverage and the maximum annual benefits. Some plans have no maximum limit, while others have a maximum that is recapped each year at a rate of about 16%. Some programs have no waiting period, and others have significant periods for primary services such as crowns or root canals. Most dental procedures have a waiting period, and knowing the amount and length is essential before buying any plan.
Preventive Care
Many dental plans provide preventive care services at little or no cost to the insured. This includes things like teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, and examinations. These routine treatments can help ensure that your teeth stay in good shape and that you do not have any untreated cavities or other issues that could lead to more serious dental problems. Dental insurance for individuals in California provides personalized coverage options tailored to individual needs, ensuring access to essential dental care services.
A typical dental policy has three components: copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. Copayments are fixed dollar amounts for services before your benefits kick in. Deductibles are the amount you must pay each year before your insurance plan starts paying for coverage. Coinsurance is the percentage of expenses you must pay after meeting your deductible.
Dental insurance plans can also have coverage exclusions and stipulations. For example, some plans only cover certain types of dental implants or limit the amount they will pay for advanced procedures such as root canals. These restrictions can limit a patient’s options for treatment and may not be in their best interest.
Unlike health insurance, which is regulated at the state level, most dental insurance is not governed by law. It is often a self-insured plan (either through an employer or individually purchased). This makes it difficult for patients to determine their coverage and how it works. Additionally, dental procedures can impose arbitrary waiting periods before they begin to pay for services (even though the insurance company has been collecting premiums for months or even years).
Restorative Care
Dental insurance helps to pay for the cost of restorative work, such as fillings, extractions, and crowns. In addition, some plans also cover hearing aids and dentures. There are various dental procedures, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs or DHMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs or PPOs), and indemnity plans. Each type of plan has a different range of coverage and costs with varying deductibles, copayments, and yearly maximums.
The deductibles on dental plans are generally much lower than those on medical insurance, and most do not have a lifetime maximum. However, some programs have capped maximums on annual expenses, so it is essential to understand your project before getting restorative care.
Indemnity plans typically do not have a network and will pay out benefits the same for all providers, but they are more expensive than HMO or PPO plans. Most major carriers have moved away from these projects, but a few still offer them.
Group dental and vision insurance is available from employers or through a voluntary enrollment program. The three requirements for a group plan are that it must be formally tied to an employer, have at least two people enrolled, and have 75% participation of eligible employees.
Implants
A dental insurance policy has three main parts: the premium, out-of-pocket costs, and benefits. The bonus is a fixed amount you pay per month or year for your coverage. Out-of-pocket costs are a combination of copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance (the percentage your plan pays after you meet the deductible). Dental insurance companies have caps on how much they’ll pay for specific procedures.
Experts recommend that adults see their dentists at least twice yearly for preventive care. Most dental insurance policies support this by including in their coverage language that preventive visits must be made within a calendar or 12 months. Some dental plans also impose time limits on other services, such as complete sets of X-rays or fillings on the same tooth.
Individuals can buy standalone dental insurance or get it from a small group or the exchange as part of a health insurance plan. Many of the newer health insurance plans in the business, such as Tonik, include a limited dental benefit built in.
When shopping for a dental plan, remember that what makes it good or bad depends on its network. Most dental insurance plans have a list of dentists who agree to accept the project. The size of the grid varies by plan type and by insurer. Preferred provider organization (PPO) and dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) plans typically have wider networks than indemnity products.
