{"id":3767,"date":"2021-06-08T10:17:10","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T14:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/?p=3767"},"modified":"2021-06-08T15:03:45","modified_gmt":"2021-06-08T19:03:45","slug":"how-to-get-dental-insurance-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/how-to-get-dental-insurance-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get dental insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 7<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

According to the American Dental Association (ADA),<\/span> nearly half of adults<\/span><\/a> admit that they haven\u2019t kept up regular trips to the dentist. <\/span>Why? Because of the cost.<\/span>It\u2019s true that dental procedures like root canals, cavities, and even simple cleanings aren\u2019t cheap these days, with out-of-pocket costs easily running into the thousands. This is where dental insurance can help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This article looks at the steps you should take before selecting a plan and how to get dental insurance. Still unsure? We have answers to some of the most commonly asked questions that will give you the confidence to get and use your insurance like an expert.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do before getting a dental insurance plan<\/b><\/h2>\n

Thanks to today\u2019s easy-to-navigate websites, purchasing insurance only takes a few minutes. But before you grab the easiest (and cheapest) plan available, follow the steps below to make sure what you pick will work for you.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Step 1: Who needs coverage?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Are you looking for coverage just for yourself? Or do you have a spouse or kids whose dental costs you\u2019ll also need help covering? If you\u2019re in the latter group, you need to consider your dependents. Determining just who needs dental coverage is step one. Single and loving it? Skip to pre-existing conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you know dentists who treat kids often require training in pediatric dentistry? With<\/span> its own special training and skill set<\/span><\/a>, this type of dentistry is covered in some packages and not others. Full coverage plans will be your best option if you think your children will need braces. Overall, when purchasing dental insurance for kids you will need an idea of which pediatric dentists are within your coverage networks and what services are included in the plan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Step 2: Understand pre-existing conditions<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Affordable Care Act<\/span> made it illegal<\/span><\/a> for health insurers to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, however, this only applies to health insurance. Dental insurance is, unfortunately, not clearly included under this act.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Pre-existing dental conditions \u2014 conditions experienced before you get dental insurance \u2014 can sometimes lead to the denial of insurance claims. Pre-existing conditions can include missing teeth or diagnosed gum-disease but can vary by plan. Figuring out if you have a pre-existing condition will help you find insurance that offers you coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 3: Budget for out-of-pocket expenses<\/b><\/h3>\n

Budgeting for dental expenses isn\u2019t impossible as long as you read through the insurance plan details and then compare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find out the co-pay amount and how much of a deductible you will need to pay before the insurance kicks in. Deductibles can run upwards of $1,000, so it\u2019s important to try to set this money aside ahead of getting dental work done. That\u2019s part one of your budget done. The type of dental insurance that a person has will typically guide how much they pay for services. Insurance plans<\/span> often follow a 100-80-50 rule<\/span><\/a>. Many plans also have $1,500 maximums that they\u2019ll payout to claimants annually,<\/span> though there are exceptions<\/span><\/a>. Compare different plan options to see which out of pocket expenses fit within your budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Step 4: Anticipate waiting periods<\/b><\/h3>\n

Anyone looking to get dental insurance can probably go for cleanings or x-rays immediately. But be prepared for waiting periods from six months up to a year for coverage on root canals or gum disease treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why? Insurance companies are businesses at the end of the day. Without these waiting periods, nothing would prevent people from signing up for coverage only for a month or two to get some badly-needed dental work and then ditching their coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Waiting periods don\u2019t necessarily mean more in-depth dental work can\u2019t be done right away, people just might have to pay out of pocket. Again, check your plan options for rules on waiting plans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If it seems like we\u2019re telling you to do a lot of reading, you got us. We are. But this will save you huge toothaches down the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 5: Decide between group or individual coverage<\/b><\/h3>\n

The National Association of Dental Plans noted that<\/span> as of late 2016<\/span><\/a>, roughly 250 million Americans had dental coverage, falling into two types of plans:<\/span><\/p>\n