Dental Plans and Insurance: What's the Difference?

Choosing your own dental coverage can be confusing. How do you decide what type of coverage to get? What is the difference between dental insurance and a dental plan? Before you start researching individual plans, it helps to know the basics of each option.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is similar to health insurance. The process for getting dental insurance can be a bit complicated, and will often include a lot of paperwork and review of any pre-existing conditions and dental needs. Once you have signed up for the insurance, your dentist's office will file claims with the insurance provider.

Depending on the insurance, your insurance company will make a payment directly to the dentist, or make a reimbursement to the patient. Like most insurance, in addition to the monthly premium patients will often have an annual deductible they must meet before full coverage begins. Practices, fees, and claims processes will differ between companies.

Many people have dental insurance as an employee group benefit, where they pay a discounted fee to receive coverage through their workplace. Individual dental insurance plans are available for people whose employers do not provide that benefit. Dental insurance plans for individuals can sometimes be expensive. In addition to the premiums, you must consider annual deductibles, spending limits, and limitations on certain types of care.

Individual Dental Insurance

If you are choosing an individual dental plan for yourself, make sure to compare the rates between companies as well as the level of benefits and what the plan is designed to cover. Many dental insurance plans are designed with preventive care in mind, and built to encourage members to get regular, routine care.

With this care, the hope is that the majority of dental diseases and serious problems can be prevented. If you decide to invest in dental insurance, take advantage of your benefits by visiting the dentist regularly and following the treatment plan they prescribe.

Discount Dental Plans

Discount dental plans are an alternative to traditional dental insurance. With discount plans, you pay an annual membership fee to the plan provider. You choose a dentist from the network of providers that belong to the plan, and present your plan card to receive discounted fees at the time of service. There are no claim forms or deductibles, just reduced charges for dental visits and procedures.

Why would dentists choose to be part of the network? Simply put, with dental plans they receive payment at the time of service. When a dentist submits a claim form to an insurance company, it takes time to process, and even then claims can be rejected. With a dental plan, they give a discounted rate in exchange for receiving the money for the service right away.

Dental plans can be a good option for people who have pre-existing conditions and need immediate treatment. No waiting periods mean that you'll be able to get your problem treated right away at a reduced rate instead of putting it off until your waiting period ends like you may need to do with dental insurance. The advantages of dental plans can be huge. You will receive a savings of 10-60% on most procedures, and there are more than 30 national and regional dental discount plans.

The bottom line is that there are advantages to both dental insurance and discount dental plans. No matter what you choose, the most important thing is to find the plan that works for you and your individual needs. Do your research, and ask questions, and you're sure to find the perfect option for keeping your smile healthy.