Get Low Cost Dental Coverage

By Sally Delacruz


Health insurance is a big deal, because not all employers offer it, especially if that employee is a part-time worker. Similarly, employers don't generally offer insurance benefits to contractors or freelancers, so they must find coverage on their own. Luckily, there are low cost dental coverage plans that can be had if you don't have a traditional plan that your employer subsidizes.

When it comes to dental policies, there are two main types, family and individual. Anyone who is single and doesn't have children or dependents can opt for the less expensive individual plan. Those who are married or have children, regardless of marital status, will probably want to opt for a family plan to cover kids or spouses.

Though family and individual plans cover the two basic types of coverage, each plan offered by various companies is very different from each other. Some are very basic and only cover some dental work or checkups, while others are much more complete plans that cover everything. Based on your dental health, you will have to choose which one you want.

During your research into various plans, two important things to consider are deductibles and limits. Deductibles are are the amount you must pay for your dental work before the insurance policy takes over to pay the rest or most of the rest. If it is high, like say $1000 dollars, then you may not be able to afford to use the plan. Pay a higher premium each month, and you will probably get a much lower deductible, which will balance out the higher monthly fee. The lower your monthly premium, the more likely you are to have a high deductible.

As you conduct your search for a good, affordable policy, always check for fine print about yearly and lifetime limits. A yearly limit is the maximum amount the plan will cover each calendar year. A lifetime limit is the max they will pay overall on your coverage over multiple years. If the limits are too low, you won't get much out of your plan, and it may not be worth the price you are paying each month for it. Keep this in mind before you sign on the dotted line. It may be better to pay a little more for a plan with a higher limit so you can use the plan more effectively throughout the year.

Oral surgery and orthodontics are an important part of your dental health, but they aren't covered in every policy. Check the fine print and make sure that both are covered, or else you could find yourself paying out of pocket should you need oral surgery or if you or a child need braces.

Each plan should also include some preventative care procedures that are either mostly paid by insurance or completely paid. This includes x-rays to see if there are any problems underneath the surface and yearly or twice yearly cleanings to help prevent plaque and other potential issues.

No matter what your age or family situation, finding an affordable dental plan is easy. Set a budget, do some shopping, and always read the fine print to see what is covered so there are no surprises later. This will save you time and money later on down the line, and ensure good dental health.




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