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Dental Insurance

Learn, Quote & Compare

A Nerd's Quick & Painless Guide to Dental Plans

What Dental Plans to Compare?

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What Dental Plan is Right for Me?

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Which Health Plan is Right for Me?

Shopping for dental insurance is extremely difficult, as there are a lot of overpriced plans out there that over promise and under deliver. There is no perfect plan that will cover 100% of every needed dental service at a reasonable rate. The key is finding the right plan, from the right company, that doesn't overcharge. 

Understand Your Situation

What type of Dental Insurance is Right for Me?

  • Step 1: Which Type is Right for Me?

  • Step 2: The Ins and Outs

  • Step 3: Compare Plans & Quotes

There are three main types of dental plans:

PPO Dental
Discount Plans

PPO Dental Insurance Plans

PPO dental insurance plans are what most people are familiar with. They will generally cover a maximum amount per year, usually between $1,000 and $5,000, of dental services. They have large networks of dentists and specialists that you can go to, and services are usually covered the same, whether they are performed at a general dentist or specialist. 

Dental procedures are covered according to what tier they belong too. Services are usually divided into three (3) tiers: Preventative services, Basic Services, and Major Services.

Preventative services are usually covered 100%, sometimes with a small co-pay you pay the dentist at your visit. They include things like cleanings, exams, x-rays. For kids, preventative services will usually also include things like fluoride treatments, sealants, and space maintainers.

Basic Services usually include things like cavity fillings and simple extractions, while major services usually include crowns, root canals, and dental surgery, like surgery to remove impacted wisdom teeth. PPO dental plans usually cover these services at rates between 40-80%, depending on the plan. Waiting periods may also apply, and usually do for major serives.

 

Sometimes, plans have a small deductible you must satisfy. This deductible usually only aplies to basic and major services. PPO dental plans usually are the best bang for your buck.

HMO Dental Plans

HMO dental plans work differently than the normal PPO model. They usually do not have a maximum amount per year that they will cover, instead they will cover as much services as needed. Each service has a predetermined co-pay associated with it. For example, a cavity on a molar filled with amalgam (metal filling) may come with a $70 co-pay, while a composite (clear) filling may have a $90 co-pay. 

One of the good things about dental HMO plans is that you know the exact cost of each procedure you may need done, before you have to pay, and again unlike dental PPO plans, there is no annual limit. One of the drawbacks is that the co-pays usually only apply at General Dentists, and will not apply at a specialist. 

While most dental procedures can be completed at a general dentist's office, in some cases the general dentist will have to refer you to a specialist. In these cases, the co-pays will not apply and generally only a discount (usually around 25%), will be given. 

Dental Discount Plans

Dental discount plans are sort of a hybird between PPO's and HMO's. Like PPO's, you can generally use them at a general dentist or specialist as long as the dentist is in the plans network. Like HMO's, there is a pre-determined co-pay for each and every service a dentist may need to perform on you, and there is no annual limit.

When shopping for dental discount plans, the best ones usually cover most preventative services at a low or even a zero dollar co-pay. Our favorite is Solstice, but plans may vary by region. 

What Plan is Right for Me?

Compare Plans & Quotes Now

Of course, everyone wants the cheapest plan. But it's not that simple. One of our nerds can walk you through the entire process, helping you compare the options and quotes available to you. We're insurance nerds, it's what we like doing.

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