How to Find Dental Coverage
If you do not currently have dental insurance, you can search for individual and family dental coverage on your own. According to the Washington State Insurance Commissioner, there are three types of dental coverage. Fee for service dental plans allow you to see any dentist you want, but only pays a set amount. HMO dental coverage requires you to see an in-network dentist, usually for a co-pay. PPO dental coverage allows you to see a dentist on a preferred list for a co-pay or an out-of-network dentist for a slightly higher amount. Not all dentists are covered with a PPO plan, though.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Ask your employer if dental coverage is offered in your benefits package. If so, you may have to wait until an open enrollment period to sign up for coverage. Or if you are a new employee there can be a waiting period before you are able to sign up for benefits.
-
2
Visit or contact local insurance agents in your area to find out if they sell dental coverage. Some national insurance companies that offer dental coverage include AFLAC, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and United Healthcare. In some instances, such as Aetna of Pennsylvania, you must buy health insurance to get the dental coverage. In other instances, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, you can get the dental coverage as a stand-alone insurance policy. When buying dental coverage on your own, you typically must pay for three months of coverage in advance. After that, you pay a monthly fee.
-
-
3
Consult with the Department of Health in your state to see if you can qualify for a low-cost or no-cost state dental program. If you have a low income and cannot afford traditional coverage, you may be able to qualify for such a program.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Dental coverage price varies by plan and provider, but averages between $20 and $30 per month for an individual, as of November 2010.
