Are you looking for the best way to finance your dental care? There are certainly plenty of options to choose from. From HMO and PPO dental insurance policies to in-house dental discount plans, it can be difficult to determine which one to choose. The first step towards determining which option is best for you is to learn about their different pros and cons. Read on as your North Grafton dentist explains the differences between dental insurance and an in-house savings plan.
The Basics of Dental Insurance
You may be able to get dental insurance through your employer or you may instead buy a plan on your own. For most plans, you’ll need to pay a deductible (HMOs usually don’t have this) before your insurance pays for a percentage of your treatments up to a stated annual maximum. Different types of treatments are covered at different amounts. For instance, preventive care like checkups is usually covered at 90-100%, while major procedures like dental crowns are generally covered at 50-75%.
Most dental insurance policies include deductibles, co-pays, waiting periods, and annual maximums. Many people find dental insurance somewhat confusing and expensive. However, dental insurance lets you choose a provider from a network of professionals as well as a plan that has the coverage options you want.
In-House Dental Savings Plans
Alternatively, your dentist may offer an in-house dental savings plan. Typically, you’ll pay a flat fee for a year of coverage. This may include free preventive care like checkups, cleanings, X-rays, oral cancer screenings, fluoride treatments, and more as well as a set percentage off additional services they offer.
In-house dental discount plans tend to offer less coverage than dental insurance and only apply to the dentist who’s offering it. However, many patients enjoy the lower cost and simplicity of these plans, since they generally don’t include extra terms and conditions like deductibles, waiting periods, or annual maximums. Some will even offer discounts on cosmetic treatments, which are rarely covered by dental insurance policies.
Making the Most of Your Benefits
Both dental insurance and in-house savings plans are a great way to save money while taking care of your oral health. That is however, as long as you use them properly and maximize your benefits! While there are various tips and tricks for making the most of your coverage depending on what type of policy you have, taking advantage of your preventive care is essential for both dental insurance and in-house savings plans.
Nearly all types of plans cover dental checkups, cleanings, and other diagnostic treatments at close to 100%. These affordable appointments are the best way to spot and stop small issues before they become larger, more painful, and more expensive problems. In fact, their main focus is to prevent oral health conditions from developing in the first place. Regardless of whether you have dental insurance or an in-house dental savings plan, make sure you visit your dentist twice a year to maintain a healthy smile and keep expensive issues at bay!
About the Practice
At Theroux Dental Associates, we believe optimal oral health should be an achievable goal for every smile in North Grafton and the surrounding communities. That’s why we offer a variety of payment methods alongside our comprehensive menu of services. We accept dental insurance and offer in-house dental savings plans for individuals, children, seniors, and families. To see just how affordable caring for your smile can be, don’t hesitate to contact us via our website or at (508) 839-2262.