Finding a dental plan that fits your needs (and your family’s) and meets your budget can be overwhelming. When you’ve looked at so many different plans and received quotes for each, how do you choose the dental insurance quote that’s right for you and your family?
Here are four things to consider before you decide which plan to purchase.
How much is the quote?
Look at the quotes you’ve received for each plan. The plan with the lowest quote will cost you the least amount of money, right? Maybe not. There is more than one factor that ‘adds up’ to what you will pay for coverage.
The quote you receive is only for the monthly premium you must pay to maintain your coverage. It does not include a variety of other costs such as copayments amounts that require you to pay for a portion of the cost for each visit to the dentist, up to an annual limit. If you have a higher co-payment, you will generally have a lower monthly or annual premium. A plan with a lower premium may have a higher deductible and/or copayments, making it a more expensive plan overall, while a plan with a higher premium may have a lower deductible and/or coinsurance, making it a less expensive plan overall. Consider all of the costs associated with the dental insurance quote before making your choice.
What services are covered?
A dental insurance plan helps offset the cost of dental care by paying for a portion of the covered services, but different plans cover different services.
You can choose the type of dental coverage you need which will cover a portion of dental costs covered per year for:
- Basic Dental
For routine oral health maintenance, this coverage includes dental check-ups, fillings, X-rays, and cleanings. - Comprehensive Basic
This coverage includes periodontal treatment of gums and mouth tissue including cleaning and scaling, endodontic root canal therapy, and denture cleaning and repairs. - Major Dental
Includes services to restore teeth including crowns, on lays, dentures, and bridgework. - Orthodontic Dental
Covers services to correct defects and straighten teeth including braces and retainers.
Some plans may pay for the entire cost. Some pay for part of the cost. And others don’t pay for certain services at all. Be sure to find out if the services covered under the plan you’re considering meet you and your family’s needs.
What is the maximum amount the plan will pay for covered services?
While a dental insurance plan helps reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by paying for covered services, most plans won’t pay an unlimited amount toward your treatment. Policies have maximums that cap the amount they will pay. For example, a plan with a maximum of $1,000 for basic services such as exams, cleanings, fillings, and X-Rays will pay up to that amount for those services, in accordance with the Provincial Dental Fee Guide in your province. After your dental expenses reach the plan maximum, you are responsible for all additional costs incurred.
Plan maximums vary from policy to policy. Make sure you choose a dental insurance quote with plan maximums that fit your budget.
Is there a waiting period?
Some dental insurance plans have a waiting period before you are eligible to receive benefits. Coverage for your Basic Dental care may be available as soon as your insurance policy is in effect. Other dental coverage may have a waiting period – so check your policy before you book your dental appointment.
The waiting period may apply to certain types of services, or all services covered by the plan. If you choose a policy that has a waiting period and need treatment before the waiting period is up, you are responsible for covering the entire cost of any treatment you receive.
The good news is that once you qualify for benefits many dentists will submit claims directly to the insurer for reimbursement. This means you will only have to show your benefit card to confirm coverage for the services provided — and won’t have to pay out of pocket for covered services, significantly reducing your costs.
Finally, consider the other healthcare costs your dental insurance covers
Your individual dental plan will provide a great range of other coverage for healthcare expenses such as
- medical equipment including coverage for diabetic medical supplies like, needles and syringes blood glucose monitors
- vision care
- registered specialists and therapists including chiropractors, chiropodists, naturopaths, registered massage therapists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, and dieticians registered psychologist or psychotherapists
- homecare and nursing or personal support workers.
- prosthetic appliances
- accidental dental and accidental death and dismemberment
- ambulance
- hearing aids
- travel medical insurance.
Review the comprehensive range of benefits that the dental plan you are choosing has to make the strongest foundation for managing your healthcare expenses.
Need more help with your dental insurance quotes?
Dental insurance plans are reasonably priced, so for a small cost you go a long way in taking care of your health. Coverage is available with no medical questions asked.
If you are comfortable choosing dental insurance services based on these tips, that’s great. But if you prefer some guidance, we make that easy. You can get health insurance quotes, results, applications, and all things associated with your health insurance questions served up quickly and online at SBIS.
If you prefer a personal touch, simply give us a call Monday to Friday 8:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-667-0429 or 416-601-0429.
