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One problem with individual dental insurance, especially those with bad dental genes and/or habits, is the insurance companies are very smart to people knowing they have a dental problem, they sign up for the dental insurance just before their dental appointment, and hoping insurance will pay. To deal with this, the companies either have waiting periods of 6 to 18 months for other than preventive benefits or reduced benefits for calendar year 1 of coverage. The waiting period can sometimes be waived if you had continuous dental coverage for 12 months before.
In researching individual dental insurance recently, two plans generally available nationwide, with $2000 annual caps to consider, with large networks of dentists and specialists. Both of these companies are focused on dental and not major medical, so they are not challenged like companies also offering health medical insurance.
1. Ameritas https://www.securitylife.com/persona...hkVision=False Then click on View Details for Advantage Plus Network (2nd one listed). This one has lower percentage coverage initially, but increases after the first year.
2. Delta Dental Premium plan https://www.deltadentalcoversme.com/s/ AND https://www2.deltadentalcoversme.com...%20001.000.pdf (note PDF is for Virginia, go to 1st URL to get PDF of policy for your state if different. More expensive, but three exams and cleanings a year included. Waiting period for some procedures, but waived if had 12 months of continuous dental coverage with another carrier (see page 11 of PDF).
Here are two more for you neither require a waiting period for major work
When I had a lot of work done I enrolled in both plans, then cancelled one after the work was done, the two policies combined paid 55% with $3500 in coverage from the day of enrollment
Also to consider whether your dentist is in the network or not of whichever insurance carrier you choose. Some plans are network only, and others will pay less if you use an out of network dentist.
Why should I even bother to purchase dental insurance? Sure they pay to get your teeth cleaned a couple times a year, but try and get most anything else done and you run into high deductibles, low maximum benefits and low percentages paid. People are up in arms all the time over the things that are denied by medical insurance. Dental is twice as bad! Is there any really good dental insurance out there that actually pays for things above and beyond routine cleanings?
I pay 21$ a month for dental insurance on just me , thats about 252$ a year . I just had a teeth cleaning and the total was 250$ before insurance paid it 100%. I get two cleanings a year covered 100% . I also get 40% off of major dental , crowns , fillings etc. Its well worth it .
I pay 21$ a month for dental insurance on just me , thats about 252$ a year . I just had a teeth cleaning and the total was 250$ before insurance paid it 100%. I get two cleanings a year covered 100% . I also get 40% off of major dental , crowns , fillings etc. Its well worth it .
Have you had success geting the 40% discount?
I've had quotes with and without dental insurance and the amount I pay? Is almost exactly the same, to the dollar, no *true* discount.
I've spoken with a dental hygienist and a dental office manager and both basically said the majority of the plans are worthless. It's a numbers game as to what the dentist will charge the insurance and you ended paying in no matter what. Except for *cleanings* which are simply a way to get you in the office so they can offer you more work.
I once got a quote for orthodontia work. My dentist referred me, and the office manger said it would likely cost X amount. They worked with the ortho all the time, knew his prices. My insurance plan actually kicked in Y amount for ortho work. So I thought I would be getting a good deal. You know what the quote was from the orthodontist? Yep, you guessed it: X + Y.
I pay 21$ a month for dental insurance on just me , thats about 252$ a year . I just had a teeth cleaning and the total was 250$ before insurance paid it 100%. I get two cleanings a year covered 100% . I also get 40% off of major dental , crowns , fillings etc. Its well worth it .
Did I read this correctly, $250 for a teeth cleaning... two a year would be $500. Have I been in a long sleep, I have a hard time believing those costs. Glad I do a good job keeping my teeth clean.
If that is right, I think they probably charge higher if a person has some kind of dental program.
Last time I went for just a cleaning, I got a cleaning for $65.
No, I believe it was 2011. One can negotiate if they really want to and in this town there are multiple dentists on every corner. And get smarter about taking care of their dental issues...for me Coconut Oil toothpaste has made a huge change and majorally eliminating sugars and carbs. 1983, oh brother.
Last edited by jaminhealth; 08-23-2018 at 08:42 PM..
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Ours has saved me a lot of money. A root canal, for example was about $750, and the insurance paid half. I have had a few implants, at $4,000 each the insurance paying half makes a huge difference. Maybe the choice of provider and amount you are willing to pay in premiums is making it less beneficial. Fortunately, mine is $5/paycheck, and my employer pays the rest of the premiums.m
I recently retired and no longer have dental insurance. Then I moved, so I had to find a new dentist. Fortunately, I had recent x-rays from when I had insurance, so my old dental office sent them to my new dentist. My initial exam and cleaning at the new dentist (not needing x-rays) was $179. I asked if they thought buying individual insurance was worth it. Based on the condition of my teeth being fairly good, the dentist did not advise it. I think it may be wise to compare prices for routine services when you choose a dentist and find a dental practice that does not try to upsell you on things you may not need. I found my new dentist from recommendations by neighbors on Next Door.
Did I read this correctly, $250 for a teeth cleaning... two a year would be $500. Have I been in a long sleep, I have a hard time believing those costs. Glad I do a good job keeping my teeth clean.
If that is right, I think they probably charge higher if a person has some kind of dental program.
Last time I went for just a cleaning, I got a cleaning for $65.
The dentist usually earns LESS when you have insurance because they have negotiated rates. My insurance would usually show the dentist's usual charge for a service, then the actual reimbursement to the dentist at the negotiated rate, which was almost always less. I was not responsible for the difference.
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