There are various kinds of health/medical insurance in modern times, and insurance for dental health is one of its significant aspects. Nowadays people readily opt for de3ntal insurance to reduce the growing expenses of dental care. Dental insuranceDental Insurance is offered to individuals and families who obtain their dental insurance coverage through large groups or through their employers or people go for Dental Insurance on individual basis. Dental Insurance covers dental examinations, hygiene cleanings, root canals, orthodontics, and so on.
Types of Dental Insurance :
1. Conventional Dental Insurance:
A conventional dental insurance plan is one where an insured has to pay a flat annual payment for the insurance coverage. However there are various limitations to this kind of dental insurance plan, for example:
Waiting periods for major dental procedures
Time-consuming written claims process
Limitations/exclusions on pre-existing conditions
Non-coverage of certain dental specialties, such as cosmetic dentistry
Expensive monthly premiums for defined coverage
Inaccessible to individuals and families unless provided by their employer
2. Discount Dental Plan:
The discount dental plan offers discounted rate for distinctive services such as hygiene visits, dental examinations, fillings, cleanings, root channels, orthodontics, and so on with the provider dentists. The dentists agree to offer these services at the approved discount rates (which are known earlier than purchasing the reduced payment plan). This kind of dental plan is suitable for those who do not obtain Dental Insurance coverage through their employer. Some of the advantages of this insurance are:
No annual limits and members enjoy discounts on most dental services all year long
No tiring paperwork hassles
No health restrictions
Includes discounts on dental specialties, including cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics
Affordable membership fees for accessing providers offering discounts on most dental procedures
Directly available to individuals, families, businesses and groups
3. Direct Reimbursement Dental Plans:
The direct reimbursement dental plans is a self-funded welfare insurance, wherein an employer first pays for dental care with his/her personal funds and subsequently pays premiums to an insurance company or intermediary administrator. The patient thus pays the entire amount directly to the dentist, and then obtain a receipt detailing services provided and that is shown to his/her employer. The employer repays on behalf of the entire dental costs, based on received benefits.
The main advantages of such a plan are:
Neither employee nor employer has to pay monthly premiums
Freedom to choose any dentist
4. DHMOs (Dental Health Maintenance Organizations):
This dental plan (also called capitation plan) offers comprehensive dental care to through a designated provider dentist. The dentist is paid on a per capita basis prior to the offering of the actual treatment. Participating dentists receive a fixed monthly fee depending upon the number of patients allotted to his/her office. Some of the features of this plan include:
Monthly premiums
Co-payments for each visits
Free Preventive or routine care
Options from among approved dentists
5. Indemnity Plans:
The client or the employer pays a monthly premium to an insurance company, which then reimburses the dentist for the services. An insurance company pays between 50% - 80% of the dental office bill while the client pays the remaining 20% - 50%. Some of the features of this plan include:
High deductibles prior to the coverage
Probationary periods (up to 1 year) on certain processes
Preferred dentist
6. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO):
Under this plan, the participant dentists negotiate their fees with the administering company and provide their services under the plan (although this doesn't cover all fees).
Some of the dental insurance agencies in the world are:
Duthcher Insurance Agency, Inc.
Delta Dental Insurance Company
Aetna Dental Access
Dental Insurance.com
KCAL Insurance Agency
For more information on Dental Insurance, please refer to www.mapsofworld.com .
