Tips For Choosing Dental Insurance

Dental treatments can be expensive, especially if you are paying for them out of your own pocket. Dental care is something regularly required by most people and for this reason, dental insurance has become popular in the USA. Dental insurance policies cover your basic dental hygiene treatments as well as more expensive treatments required in case of emergencies. When looking for the right dental insurance plan, make sure it covers basic and emergency treatments. If your policy includes extras like teeth whitening or discounts on cosmetic procedures then that’s a definite bonus.

When comparing dental insurance plans it’s important to read the small print. For example, some policies will limit the materials that can be used in certain procedures and you can be sure that the materials that are not covered are more expensive and therefore better for you. In these situations, for example with fillings, if you want the more expensive materials you will need to pay the difference yourself.

Age is another factor when it comes to choosing the right dental plan. As you get older you’re likely to want a more comprehensive policy that covers additional emergency and cosmetic treatments. So we recommend asking your dental insurance provider for a range of policies that you can review, compare and discuss which plan is best for you and your family.

If you buy the wrong insurance policy it can be an expensive mistake, either because your plan doesn’t cover the treatment you need when you need it. Or, the insurance plan is too comprehensive and covers treatments you are unlikely to ever need.

To help you start your research, here are 10 popular insurance providers and some information on the services they offer.

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dental insurance tips

10. CAREINGTON

Careington offers 20% to 60% savings on dental procedures, which include cleanings, braces, dentures, and crowns, among others. They have a wide network of over 67,000 dentists, and there are no limits to using your plan.

9. AETNA

This is only available as a standalone in Arizona, Illinois, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Aside from their health insurance plans, you can also buy additional dental insurance from them.

8. CIGNA DENTAL

With access to more than 72,000 dentists, there is no need for you to select a primary dentist, and you also won’t need referrals for specialist care. You also won’t need to submit a claim as the dentist will take care of filing your claims automatically.

7. AMERITAS

Their plans specialize in individual and family dental insurance plans, which also cover vision needs. They also offer a non-insurance discount on your prescriptions.

6. METLIFE

Metlife has over 191,000 participating dentists available nationwide. For group plans, there will be no waiting period for dental benefits on certain procedures or services.

5. HUMANA

Humana has no waiting period for their discounted services, which are available through their dental partner eHealth Dental Insurance. While the terms of their plans may vary from state to state, you can easily get information and quotes online, from anywhere.

4. GUARDIAN

They are one of the largest providers or dental insurance, with 83,000 dental providers in 171,000 locations nationwide. With a 99% accuracy rate, they can process your needs within an average period of 2 and half days, and you can avail of dental services at a discounted rate of up to 30%.

3. DELTA DENTAL

Delta Dental has a network of more than 145,000 dentists in over 292,000 office locations. They have served over 60 million customers, and have processed over 93 million claims in 2012 alone, scoring 99.7% accuracy. You can also avail of their services through their partner eHealth Insurance.

2. DENTAL PLANS

Dental Plans allows you to connect to more than 100,000 dentists nationwide, with a wide range of 30 plus dental savings plans to choose from. Their plans have no annual limits, and they have a 30-day refund policy. Dental procedures can be availed for 10% to 60% off – cleanings, dentures, root canals, x-rays, fillings, and braces. For new customers, they are offering a 10% discount on the plans, like two months free.

1. EHEALTH

eHealth offers a very competitive price range on dental services, compared to major dental care providers, and offer a dental indemnity plan as well. They have over 200 licensed agents who can help you with your needs, through 24/7 live chat support as well. You also have online account management services that allow you to check your plan and your account activity and have your questions answered anytime, from anywhere.

Disclaimer: Our service is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as financial advice. We help our readers make informed decisions via impartial information and guides. Where appropriate, we may introduce partner companies who can provide services relating to financial products.