Dental Insurance Plans
You are at the dentist and have been asked to "open wide", only it's you wallet and not your mouth that is being asked to open. If this is a concern, various dental plans may come to the rescue. Like regular insurance, there are Health Maintenance Organization plans (HMO) and Preferred Provider (PPO) plans. Most work on a fee for service basis where a particular treatment is reimbursed at a standard rate.
Plans often have annual limits on services, and may pay for cleaning only once or twice a year. Few plans cover cosmetic services like whitening. Many times major services need to be pre-approved. With most plans you can be assured of a standard level of payment for required basic services inside of a coverage network.
Recently Answered
- Q What are the different types of dental plans?
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There are numerous models of dental plans. In general, they can be divided into two categories: managed care and fee-for-service. Managed Care dental plans are cost containment systems that direct the utilization of health care by a) restricting... Full Answer
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- Q What should I look for in a dental insurance plan?
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If you’re looking for an individual plan, look for a plan that best suits your needs. Otherwise, your employer will offer a plan as part of your benefit package. Either way, how you use it should be based on your personal dental health needs, as... Full Answer
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- Q Will dental insurance cover fillings?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineMaybe -- if you are about to get a cavity filled, you will soon learn that the guy who is making your teeth feel good, wants to get paid for his time and the products he uses. That’s when you will want to learn real fast about the dental insurance... Full Answer
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- Q What if I can't afford dental insurance?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineThere are two government programs that provide dental insurance for those who can’t afford it: Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). What exactly is covered and what percent of costs/charges will be paid for by the plan... Full Answer
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- Q Can I question my dental health coverage?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineAbsolutely. Asking questions about your dental health coverage is incredibly important and a very smart thing to do. You want to make sure you have a very clear understanding of what is covered, what percent of likely charges are paid for, what... Full Answer
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- Q What is fee for service dental insurance?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineFee for service dental insurance can be summed up in three words: freedom of choice. Direct reimbursement (DR) programs are the standard fee for service dental insurance plans. These plans reimburse you for a certain percentage of the money you spend on... Full Answer
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- Q Can I pick my own dentist with dental insurance?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineSometimes. It depends on what type of dental insurance you have. Fee for service dental insurance plans (like direct reimbursement) give you the freedom to choose any dentist; however, managed care plans (like PPOs and DHMOs) give you a list of... Full Answer
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- Q Does dental insurance cover wisdom teeth removal?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineTypically, a dental specialist called an oral and maxillofacial surgeon will remove your wisdom teeth. Since the procedure can be fairly involved sometimes, it may or may not be covered by your plan. It all depends on what type you have. So if your... Full Answer
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- Q What is important when changing dental insurance policies?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineBefore you change, it’s important to read your current plan and the potential new plans very carefully -- as carefully as you would scrutinize your son’s or daughter’s (or sibling’s) new boyfriend or girlfriend. You want to have a... Full Answer
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- Q What is dental insurance?
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Dental insurance is a common employee incentive and is designed to assist in paying for an individual or family's dental needs. Plan designs may vary depending on the options an employer group selects. Generally, it allows people of all ages to enjoy... Full Answer
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