Dental Insurance For Individuals

If your current employer doesn’t cover your dental care needs then it’s time to start thinking about getting your own policy. Trying to deal with dental emergencies as they arise can put you in a bad situation financially so prepare now so you’re not sorry later.

There are many choices for dental coverage at the moment but usually the best dental insurance for individuals is the standard traditional type package known as a PPO.

Preferred Provider Orginization

One aspect of traditional PPO dental plans is that you will be allowed to pick any dentist that you choose for your care and if this dentist is affiliated with the insurance companies network the rates you pay can be cheaper.

The way most of these networks work is that dentist sign up under contract with providers. It’s a good idea then to make sure the provider you are considering to use for insurance has a wide variety of dentists to choose from.

Services Covered With PPO

So what are some of the services that might generally be covered with these insurance plans? Typically these would include services that fall under three categories such as preventative, basic, and major services.

Preventive

• X-Rays
• Oral Examinations
• Sealants
• Fluoride treatments (topical)
• Cleanings

Basic

• Pain relief (emergency)
• Extractions (root or tooth)
• Children’s appliances (braces)
• Fillings
• Root canals
• Gum treatment

Major

• Dentures
• Bridgework
• Crowns
• Complex surgery

Dental Health Maintenance Organization

Another lower cost option is to use a DHMO for your dental coverage needs. While cheaper there are some drawbacks to this type of plan. For instance you will not be able to choose the dentist for your care but must only select one of the affiliated partners in this network.

Emergency services can be covered through dentists not affiliated with your network however.

Although going with a DHMO is more restrictive in its choices, for many people this can be the best option especially when finances are tight.

Other Factors To Consider

Usually getting your own individual insurance will result in higher costs compared to obtaining one through an employer. One way that dental coverage providers can help individuals pay for their coverage is through yearly lump sum payments.

For instance Humana Dental offers a discount for paying on a yearly plan as opposed to monthly. You can then save money and also not have to deal with the hassle of setting up or maintaining regular monthly payments.

For some people this can be a better way to budget their money instead of worrying whether they will come up short each month.

Another option exists for persons who are in between jobs which do cover their dental expenses but need something to fill in those gaps between employment. In this case coverage is only supplied for a specified period of time.

Prescription Drug Coverage

If you know or think you might need prescription drugs to treat your dental problems then be sure to look into whether or not a plan covers this portion of your expenses.

The cost of prescription drugs during and after dental procedures can add up quickly. It’s important to make sure that you consider this carefully when choosing a potential insurance plan.