Many employers provide health insurance to workers, but generally do so only if the worker is a full-time employee. Part-time employees or those who work as a contractor or freelance may have to purchase their own low cost dental coverage instead. Just because a plan is low in cost doesn't mean that it should be shoddy coverage. Here is what you can expect from a plan, and what to look for.
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.
Some plans may seem really affordable on the surface, but can become very expensive when you start to actually use them. Many plans with low monthly payments may have large deductibles that could cost you a lot more in the future. For instance, you may find a plan that is only $25 per month, which is a good price. However, if that plan has a $1000 deductible, that means you have to pay the first $1000 in costs up front, and then the insurance kicks in. You may want to go for a plan that has a higher monthly premium, but a much smaller deductible.
Limits are yearly and lifetime maximums that the insurance company will pay. For example, the plan may only pay $50,000 a year, which means if you need procedures beyond that amount in a given year, you may have to either pay out of pocket or wait till the next year when a fresh plan kicks in. Always check the limits and make sure they are agreeable to you.
If you or a child have crooked teeth, you may need braces, but they may not be covered under your plan. Before you purchase a policy, make sure that orthodontics are covered, or you may end up having to pay for expensive braces yourself. Also be sure that surgeries are covered, because you really never know when you might need emergency oral surgery.
Most plans have preventative care covered in the policy, such as yearly checkups and even periodic teeth cleanings. These help prevent other, more costly dental emergencies later, so most insurance companies will pay for these completely, or only charge you a small deductible or co-pay for them.
You don't need to have coverage from your employer to have affordable dental care. There are policies available that are well within your budget, no matter how large or small. All you need to do is know what to look for and read the fine print, and you will be insured in no time.
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.
Some plans may seem really affordable on the surface, but can become very expensive when you start to actually use them. Many plans with low monthly payments may have large deductibles that could cost you a lot more in the future. For instance, you may find a plan that is only $25 per month, which is a good price. However, if that plan has a $1000 deductible, that means you have to pay the first $1000 in costs up front, and then the insurance kicks in. You may want to go for a plan that has a higher monthly premium, but a much smaller deductible.
Limits are yearly and lifetime maximums that the insurance company will pay. For example, the plan may only pay $50,000 a year, which means if you need procedures beyond that amount in a given year, you may have to either pay out of pocket or wait till the next year when a fresh plan kicks in. Always check the limits and make sure they are agreeable to you.
If you or a child have crooked teeth, you may need braces, but they may not be covered under your plan. Before you purchase a policy, make sure that orthodontics are covered, or you may end up having to pay for expensive braces yourself. Also be sure that surgeries are covered, because you really never know when you might need emergency oral surgery.
Most plans have preventative care covered in the policy, such as yearly checkups and even periodic teeth cleanings. These help prevent other, more costly dental emergencies later, so most insurance companies will pay for these completely, or only charge you a small deductible or co-pay for them.
You don't need to have coverage from your employer to have affordable dental care. There are policies available that are well within your budget, no matter how large or small. All you need to do is know what to look for and read the fine print, and you will be insured in no time.
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