We also have coverage for dental surgery performed in hospitals, depending on the province. But what about basic dental care? Dental care is crucial to living a healthy life, and unfortunately, the preventative visits we all need aren’t covered by the provinces. Unless you’re willing to pay for everything out of pocket, a private insurance plan may be the only solution.
Routine visits to a dentist are important for maintaining both your smile and your overall health. Many people are fortunate to have coverage through their employers, but there are still many Canadians who do not yet have dental insurance. Some people think they can’t afford the monthly payments, but when you consider how much dental visits typically cost, you’re really saving money when you pay your premium.
Having a set price that you pay every month for your dental insurance is definitely a lot better than surprise dental bills at a time when you might not be able to afford it. With all this in mind, here are three ways you can save money on dental insurance.
1. Shop Around
It’s so easy to look up an insurance carrier and then settle with the first plan you find. It’s really not that difficult to compare prices, but if you really want to find the best plan for your budget, you’ll have to put some thought into it. Rates and coverage vary from plan to plan, and provider to provider. If you don’t take the time to do some research, you may end up with coverage that doesn’t quite suit your needs, or something might not be covered that you thought was included.
Keep an organized list by provider. Look into the plans they offer, the premiums, maximums for treatments, and what exactly is covered before making your final decision. Just because one plan has lower premiums, doesn’t mean that it’s not a good plan.
One thing to consider is that not all plans are available for purchase online, and some companies will not sell insurance directly to the public, but rather through a network of insurance brokers…which brings us to our next suggestion.
2. Work With a Broker
While some people may prefer to work alone or figure things out for themselves, others are open to outside help. An insurance broker’s job is to help you find a plan that’s within your budget and covers the services you need to have covered.
A broker can work with several different providers, giving you rates to compare and coverage details so you can see what exactly is being offered to you. This method will help you make an informed decision on the type of dental plan you need.
Working with an insurance broker can also help you see the differences between plans that seem similar at a glance. Remember, the broker is the one with the knowledge and expertise in the insurance industry. They know the language and terminology and will be able explain the clauses to you. Their experience helps them know what to look for.
A broker works on your behalf. Their job is to find the best plan for you, so don’t be afraid to put your trust in one to find you an affordable, robust plan.
3. Selecting a Dental Insurance Plan
Like everything else these days, the cost of dental care is getting higher and higher. Some people may think that paying a flat fee every month is unnecessary and they’ll address their dental issues when they absolutely have to, but that’s not the most advisable thing to do. As we said before, dental care is getting more expensive. Even a cleaning visit can cost several hundred dollars.
It will cost you more in the long run to pay the total cost of your dental treatment than it would if you had a dental insurance plan. Dental insurance’s very function is to offset your costs. You shouldn’t wait until your tooth is abscessed before seeking treatment. If you have coverage, you can address the problem right away!
Things to Consider: Your Maximums
Whichever plan you do decide to purchase, be sure to look at the maximums allowable for both basic and major dental treatment, as well as the time periods allowable for regular checkups. If you’re concerned about going over your maximum, you can determine whether your plan runs by benefit year or by calendar year.
You can then have some treatment done one year, and the rest when the new year begins. For example, if you have a lot of plaque, you may need a lot of scaling, which is when the dentist or hygienist uses an instrument to scrape the plaque off your teeth. You could have this treatment done in parts, with several visits over a period of time, and not have to wait too long before your maximum replenishes.
Other treatments like recall exams or polishing are only eligible every nine months, depending on the plan, so you can’t split those treatments up without having to pay out of pocket.
Educate Yourself
Just make sure that when you do buy a plan, that you understand exactly what’s covered. You don’t want to book an appointment for a treatment and then find out after you’ve had it done that it’s not covered. Make sure your coverage is adequate to your family’s needs. And when in doubt, send a dental estimate ahead of time to know for sure.
A broker can evaluate your needs and your financial situation, and educate you on how the plans work and what they entail. At the end of the day, the choice is yours. Call our office today and get started!
