Some people live in fear of the dentist, while others find nothing scary about those drills and implants. But one thing every dental patient agrees on is having the right kind of insurance will the most essential thing you will have.
If you want to protect your teeth and maintain your smile, you can start by taking these seven dental insurance shopping tips to heart.
- Start with your employer. Many employers offer dental insurance to their workers at preferential group rates, so start with your employer. If you are eligible for dental coverage you could save a lot of money by buying it from your boss.
- Assess your need for dental coverage. Some dental insurance offers only basic forms of coverage, while other policies cover orthodontics, braces, and even high-end implants. To get the policy you need you will first need to think about what you really need.
- Find out what type of insurance your current dentist accepts. If you already have a preferred dentist, ask about the insurance plans they accept and how they work. You do not want to buy a policy only to find out the dentist you love does not accept your plan.
- Look for a dental insurance policy with a large and diverse network of providers. The quality of a dental insurance policy will depend in large part on the size of the network. Choosing a policy with a wide and diverse network will make it easier to choose a provider you can work with.
- Read the fine print carefully. It is important to remember that dental insurance is not designed to be comprehensive, nor will it pay for all the care you might need. You will want to know about the deductibles, co-pays and other out of pocket costs before you buy, so read that fine print carefully and ask lots of questions.
- Consider using an insurance broker. Working with an insurance broker can be helpful when trying to compare various policies and that is doubly true when it comes to dental care. Insurance brokers understand the ins and outs of dental coverage, and the advice they provide can be extremely valuable.
- Make sure you are covered before you schedule a major procedure. If you are thinking about getting implants, braces or having other major dental work done, you will want to make sure you are covered before you schedule the appointment. Many dental insurance policies impose a waiting period before those types of procedures, and you do not want to be left holding the bag – or the bill.
If you are worried about those rising costs, you do not have to sacrifice your smile to save money. The seven dental insurance shopping tips listed above can help you find the right policy – one you can smile about.