Saturday, 7 June 2014

Finding Low Cost Dental Coverage

By Sally Delacruz


Many employers provide health insurance to workers, but generally do so only if the worker is a full-time employee. Part-time employees or those who work as a contractor or freelance may have to purchase their own low cost dental coverage instead. Just because a plan is low in cost doesn't mean that it should be shoddy coverage. Here is what you can expect from a plan, and what to look for.

When it comes to dental policies, there are two main types, family and individual. Anyone who is single and doesn't have children or dependents can opt for the less expensive individual plan. Those who are married or have children, regardless of marital status, will probably want to opt for a family plan to cover kids or spouses.

Not all family or individual plans are created equal. Some have very bare bones coverage that only pays for certain treatments or doctor visits. Others are much more comprehensive and will include just about any kind of dental work imaginable. The bare bones are much cheaper than the comprehensive ones, so keep that in mind when choosing a plan.

Some plans may seem really affordable on the surface, but can become very expensive when you start to actually use them. Many plans with low monthly payments may have large deductibles that could cost you a lot more in the future. For instance, you may find a plan that is only $25 per month, which is a good price. However, if that plan has a $1000 deductible, that means you have to pay the first $1000 in costs up front, and then the insurance kicks in. You may want to go for a plan that has a higher monthly premium, but a much smaller deductible.

As you conduct your search for a good, affordable policy, always check for fine print about yearly and lifetime limits. A yearly limit is the maximum amount the plan will cover each calendar year. A lifetime limit is the max they will pay overall on your coverage over multiple years. If the limits are too low, you won't get much out of your plan, and it may not be worth the price you are paying each month for it. Keep this in mind before you sign on the dotted line. It may be better to pay a little more for a plan with a higher limit so you can use the plan more effectively throughout the year.

Not all coverage includes surgeries and orthodontics, so be sure to read the fine print. This is especially true if you have kids, because many kids may need orthodontia like braces in order to straighten out their teeth. Surgeries, even minor ones like removal of wisdom teeth, can be quite expensive when paid out of pocket, so be sure you are covered.

Each plan should also include some preventative care procedures that are either mostly paid by insurance or completely paid. This includes x-rays to see if there are any problems underneath the surface and yearly or twice yearly cleanings to help prevent plaque and other potential issues.

You don't need to have coverage from your employer to have affordable dental care. There are policies available that are well within your budget, no matter how large or small. All you need to do is know what to look for and read the fine print, and you will be insured in no time.




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