Dental Insurance: Something to Smile About

As anyone who has ever had a cavity can attest, it's expensive to maintain good oral health. That's why it's a good idea to invest in dental insurance. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering different dental plans:

• Yearly Maximums. Most dental plans have a maximum payout per year that ranges between $1,000 and $1,500. This maximum renews each year, but does not roll-over from one year to the next if the benefits are not used.
• In-Network vs. Out-of-Network. Many plans will only pay for visits to dentists that are in the provider's network. Therefore, it is advisable to check with your dentist to see they accept the plan you are considering. If not, you still may be able to get coverage for a percentage of the dental work by submitting a claims form after the procedure.
• UCR. This is what dental insurance companies call "usual, customary and reasonable". It refers to how the insurer determines the amount it is going to pay for a particular claim. You should ask the insurer for its UCR fee guide and compare it to what your dentist charges for a particular procedure. If the dentist is in-network, he will often accept what the insurance company considers UCR and not charge you the difference.
• Coverage Types. Insurers break down coverage into three areas: 1) Preventative, 2) Basic; and 3) Major. Different insurers may classify dental work differently, and it's important to find out what's included in each category ahead of time. For example, one insurer may include root canals under major work and may not cover what's considered major work, while another insurer might classify it under basic.

Any doctor will tell you that good dental health can have positive effects on your overall physical well-being, so selecting a dental insurance plan should be something to consider sooner, rather than later. Many employers often offer dental insurance in conjunction with health coverage so be sure to find out what exactly your employer offers.