As essential as it may feel, dental insurance isn’t something you’re handed for free. You’ll only enjoy its many perks once you’ve actually bought a policy. That doesn’t mean you should rush the purchase, though; there are things you should know when buying dental insurance. Your local Reston dentist is here to share them with you, ensuring you get great care. Just keep reading to learn the four crucial facts related to dental insurance purchases.
Dental Plans Have Waiting Periods
For starters, you can’t use the insurance right after buying it. Dental plans have waiting periods you have to face before benefits “kick in.”
These waiting periods are “insurance” for the policy providers, so to speak. They keep you from quickly buying and discarding a plan, thus prompting you to pay some premiums. Their durations also vary according to treatment type, with restorative services only covered after three to six months. (Most preventative care visits are covered immediately.)
Plans Come in Two Main Categories
Dental insurance isn’t all the same, as if only one type of policy exists. Plans fall under two main categories with distinct traits and differences.
The two “big” types of dental insurance plans are PPOs and HMOs. With a PPO, benefits only apply when the patient sees a dentist within a wide-ranging PPO network; the downside is that you have to pay a deductible and higher premiums. An HMO has no deductible and lower premiums, but it has a smaller network of dentists to choose from.
Preventative Care Enjoys Full Coverage
When you have dental insurance, regular dental checkups cost almost nothing. Preventative dental care enjoys full coverage from nearly all plans.
It comes down to what plan providers see as “medically necessary.” Checkups, fluoride, and similar procedures keep (and make) smiles healthy, so most policies cover 100% of their cost. Just make sure you pick a plan that has all preventative care fee visits included!
Major Restorative Work is Partially Covered
Though incredibly helpful, major restorative dental work isn’t fully covered by insurance. Most dental plans only offer partial coverage for it.
The average policy covers 50% of the cost of a dental crown, dental bridge, dental implant, or root canal. However, don’t think this partial benefit means you’re paying a lot; you likely won’t need such procedures often. You’ll also be glad you only have to pay half of what you would without insurance.
When buying dental insurance, please keep the facts above in mind. They’ll let you get truly cost-effective help for your smile!
About the Practice
Sunset Hills Dental Co. is based in Reston, VA. Led by Dr. Leah Byars, our practice is always eager and ready to make your smile strong, stunning, and stable. We thus offer a wide range of oral treatments, from simple dental checkups and cleanings to high-quality dental implants. Our office is also in-network with most major insurance providers, so we’ll get you affordable care. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (703)-570-1117.