Buyers Guide to Individual Dental Insurance

If you're self-employed or work for a company that doesn't provide dental insurance then keep reading. Like doctor bills, dental bills can also be costly for those without insurance, but with an individual dental insurance plan you can cut down on your dental bills and get the dental work you need. Don't let that toothache linger, invest in an individual dental insurance plan today!

When shopping for individual dental insurance, you will find two common types of plans - Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) and Indemnity plans. The DHMO plan is much more affordable, but there is a disadvantage: The DHMO plan requires you to use participating dentists. The DHMO does have an advantage as well: Usually there's no waiting periods. If you really need an affordable plan, and you can handle going to a participating dentist, then the DHMO plan may be right for you. However, if you'd rather pay a little extra for freedom to choose your own dentist, and you don't mind the waiting period for major services, then I would recommend going with the Indemnity plan.

Before making your decision, let's take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of both common types of individual dental insurance plans.

Advantages of the Indemnity plan:

• Freedom to choose your own dentist.
• Your carrier and you will each pay a percentage of the fees you incur.
• A wide variety of plans are available to choose from.

Disadvantages of the Indemnity plan:

• Waiting periods before major and basic services. The waiting period for major services can be as long as 24 months, and for basic services the waiting period can be as long as six months.
• Many Indemnity plans require a yearly deductible (anywhere from $50 and up).
• Indemnity plans usually have minimum and maximum limitations.
• Some Indemnity plans do not include orthodontics.

Advantages of the DHMO plan:

• Many DHMO plans do not have waiting periods, and if they do the waiting period is usually short.
• Most DHMO plans do not require a deductible.
• No annual limitations are set.
• No claims to file.
• Little or no copayments.
• You pay a reduced fee for services.
• Usually DHMO plans will include orthodontics.

Disadvantage of the DHMO plan:

• You must choose participating dentists in specified states.

Don't choose your individual dental insurance plan just yet. Advantages and disadvantages of each type of plan is a good thing to know, but there are also things you should consider: Is the Indemnity plan right for you, or is the DHMO plan the better choice? Do you have an immediate need for major dental work such as root canals, dentures, oral surgery or etc.? If so then you may not want to choose an Indemnity plan, because this type of plan usually requires a long waiting period before these types of services are covered. Does the DHMO plan offer a participating dentist in your area? If you have to travel too far for a participating dentist then you probably should choose the Indemnity plan. Finally, the most important factor to consider when deciding on a plan is what services each plan covers. Does the plan cover emergency, diagnostic and preventive services?

Okay, let's summarize... you now know the advantages and disadvantages of the Indemnity and the DHMO plans, you have a basic idea of what each type of plan is, and finally, you have a list of things to consider. That's a lot to take in, but if you follow this guide it shouldn't be too hard when you start shopping for individual dental insurance.

Once you begin shopping for individual dental insurance, you will need some shopping tips, right? I thought so. Following are a few tips to help you while you shop for individual dental insurance:

• Search the Internet using the term individual dental insurance for Web sites where you can request quotes and information from several different individual dental insurance carriers. (Place quotes around the term.)
• Do you already have a dentist you're comfortable with? Talk to your dentist to see which carriers he accepts.
• Don't choose the first carrier you come across. Take your time, request information packets from each carrier, read all the material sent to you, and then choose the individual dental insurance plan that's right for you.
• Using the information you receive from each carrier, compare prices and benefits of each carrier.
• Read all fine print, benefits, restrictions, limitations and deductibles closely.
• Prepare a list of questions you may have for each carrier, and don't forget to phone the carrier and ask your questions before investing in one of their plans.
• Prior to shopping for individual dental insurance, set down and figure all your monthly expenses so you can select an individual dental insurance plan within your budget.

Now you should know a little more about buying individual dental insurance, so get ready and start the ball rolling. Pull up your browser and shop wisely!