How to Get Dental Insurance

Dental treatment is one of the most expensive types of outpatient care you can get. This is especially obvious because many companies don’t offer dental insurance as part of their medical package and you will need to pick up the tab yourself. If you’re looking to get dental coverage, you will need to consider a series of factors in order to make the most of what’s available in your budget range.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Getting Dental Insurance

1. Ask your employer to get dental insurance for you. Even if they refuse to offer it as part of your medical insurance package and you need to pay for it yourself, you can still get a cheaper price if you sign up for it through your employer rather than on your own.

2. Research private providers, including HMO and PPO plans. Most basic plans will cover you up to a maximum of about $1000 a year, which is certainly not enough for serious procedures that require a specialized dentist, such as root canals or gum surgery. More comprehensive plans will increase that limit but will also be difficult to handle budget-wise.

3. Consider partial coverage if you can’t afford standard dental insurance. Major work, such as bridges, root canals and dental implants are only covered by complete or full insurance plans, which tend to be quite expensive. Basic plans, on the other hand, will offer you preventive care, which includes cleanings, x-rays and examinations, and minor work, such as cavity filling and extractions.

4. Get a discount dental card if insurance is out of the question. This type of card can be used at participating dentists to obtain a reduced rate on their services. You’re still paying for the services out of your pocket but the discount is provided on the spot, so you don’t have to wait for returns or refunds.

5. Ask lots of questions before signing up with a specific dental insurance provider. If you have a family dentist, determine how important it is that you keep it. Some insurance companies will only allow you access to the dentists in their networks. Also, make sure if there are rules limiting how much you can spend in a year and what exactly is covered under your plan.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't sign up for dental insurance over the Internet. Scams offering large discounts that cannot be put into practice in real life are common.

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