What type of dental insurance do you need, and is dental insurance accepted by your provider? Learn more about how dental insurance works and why you may want it.
What Insurance Does DIAC Take?
Delta Dental is the dental insurance accepted at DIAC. We handle filing directly with your primary insurance company. If you’re unsure whether we accept your dental plan, contact the insurance provider or call our office before your appointment.
What Is Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance is a special type of insurance, providing coverage for dental services. The plan covers some or all of the costs for professional dental treatments, including preventive care, such as cleanings and exams, and restorative treatments, such as fillings, root canals and tooth extractions. Many plans don’t cover cosmetic procedures, such as dental veneers, unless medically necessary.
Your dental insurance typically uses a coinsurance structure where the company pays a percentage, and you pay the rest. A typical structure is 100/80/50. That means the insurance company pays 100% for preventive care, 80% for basic procedures, and 50% for major procedures. You pay the remaining amount. Dental insurance policies cap your yearly benefits, usually between $1,000 and $2,000 per year.
Why Should I Have Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance plans lower your out-of-pocket costs when you need dental care. Since they typically cover 100% of preventive care costs, you may be more likely to keep up with dental care. Routine visits help you keep your mouth healthy, reducing your need for dental procedures. Oral health is also essential to your overall health.
Having coverage makes restorative dental services more affordable. You can’t predict when you may break a tooth or experience severe decay. You pay only a portion of the procedure costs with dental insurance. This may encourage frequent dentist visits when you notice a problem, preventing it from worsening.
Types of Dental Insurance Plans
Several types of dental insurance plans are available. Learning the differences can help you choose the best plan for your family. Common types include:
- Preferred provider organizations: This plan uses a network of contracted dentists who agree to reduced fees for specific services. The costs may be higher if you use an out-of-network dentist.
- Dental health maintenance organizations: With a DHMO, you must choose a primary dentist to manage all your dental care and refer you to specialists, such as a prosthodontist. If you go to an out-of-network dentist, you’re typically responsible for the full cost.
- Dental exclusive provider organizations (DEPO): A DEPO plan combines elements of a PPO and a DHMO. You can choose any in-network provider without using one primary care provider. However, out-of-network care is usually not covered.
- Dental discount plans: Also called dental savings plans, these policies offer discounted rates from participating dentists. You pay a certain amount each year and get reduced rates in exchange.
How to Find In-Network Dentists
Is dental insurance accepted at your dentist’s office? If so, you need to ensure they’re an in-network provider to keep the costs of your dental services as low as possible. In some cases, you may not have coverage from an out-of-network provider.
The easiest way to find in-network providers is to contact your insurance provider. Provider websites often include search features for in-network dentists. You can also call the customer service line. Insurance companies offer different policies, so verify which plan you have to ensure a dentist is in-network.