How to Choose a Private Dental Insurance Plan

Updated on October 18, 2017

Choosing the right Private Dental Insurance Plan

When it comes to dental insurance, you need options. Follow these steps for selecting the right private dental insurance plan for you and your family.

How important are your teeth, really?

Actually, quite. Research has shown that a healthy smile is the root of a number of psychological benefits.

White, straight teeth boost your confidence, which improves your relationships, can bring professional success, and maybe even make you happier.

So it's important that we take care of our teeth.

But without good dental insurance, that can be an expensive undertaking. You might be covered through your employer or through the government, but they might not give you the coverage you want.

Private dental insurance allows you to find the plan that you need, but choosing a plan can be a daunting task.

In this article, we'll walk you through what you need to keep in mind when looking for new dental insurance.

Determine a Budget

When you start looking for private dental insurance, you have to determine how much you can pay for it.

Get quotes from several different companies. In these quotes, you'll see a few different numbers. Here's what they mean.

Premium

The premium is the payment amount. These are usually paid monthly.

While you might think the lowest premium is the best option, most low-premium plans will have a high deductible.

Many people opt to pay a higher premium so they get a lower deductible.

Deductible

Many private insurance companies feature a deductible. If your plan has a deductible, your insurance company will not pay any amount until you meet the deductible.

For example, if you have a $300 deductible and a $1,000 procedure, you will pay the $300, and your insurance will pay the remaining $700.

If you have a procedure that costs $200, your insurance will not pay anything for that procedure. However, if you have another $200 procedure that year, the first $100 will pay off the rest of the deductible, and your insurance company will pay the rest.

However, if you have another $200 procedure that year, the first $100 will pay off the rest of the deductible, and your insurance company will pay the rest.

Percent Coverage

Instead of a deductible, some companies cover a flat percentage of every charge. It is pretty typical for a private dental insurance company to cover at least 70%.

This is a good option if you will not need any major dental work done.

Copay

Many insurance plans will require you to make a small payment for every visit to your dentist's office. This is called a copay and is often as little as $25.

Some insurance companies count the copay towards the deductible, while others do not.

Coverage Cap

One of the most important questions to ask when purchasing private dental insurance is if there is a coverage cap.

The coverage cap is the maximum dollar amount per year that the insurance company will cover. If you need a $10,000 dental surgery and your insurance has a $4,000 cap, you will need to pay the remaining $6,000 out of your own pocket.

What Treatments Are Covered?

When searching for private dental insurance, it is important to remember that not every company will cover every procedure.

If you already have a healthy smile, this might not affect you very much. Your insurance will be used mostly to cover cleanings and checkups.

But if your teeth are in poor condition, this can spell trouble.

Your dentist might recommend that you get a tooth pulled and replaced with a dental implant.

Dental implants are a great option for tooth replacement, but they are expensive. If your insurance doesn't cover this procedure, you'll be paying that cost yourself.

Some insurance companies might cover different procedures differently. They might cover 100% of cleanings but only 50% of x-rays. This can make you put off important preventative work to avoid paying the extra fee.

Before you choose a private dental insurance plan, make sure it covers every procedure you think you will need.

Can I Be Denied Due To a Preexisting Condition?

If your teeth are in bad shape, you may not be eligible for insurance with some companies.

A private dental insurance company may deny you if you know you are going to need any serious procedures. You may also be denied if you have had a history of poor dental health.

If you have any preexisting dental conditions, make sure to read through the conditions of the insurance plan before you commit to anything.

Is My Dentist on the Network?

Every insurance company has a network of doctors that they work with.

If you already have a dentist, you'll want to make sure that they are a part of the insurance company's network.

If you do not have a dentist, you still need to pay attention to the insurer's network.

Private dental insurance with a poor network can make it difficult to find a good dentist. There might not be any network dentists close to your home, or the available dentists might not be of a high caliber.

Getting locked into an insurance plan with a bad network can trap you in a dentist-less wasteland. You won't even get a chance to use the insurance you're paying for.

What If I Move?

As every dental insurance provider doesn't use the same network, not every company operates in every province.

If your job requires you to move to Quebec, the private dental insurance you got while living in Manitoba may not be eligible across the country.

Even if you don't anticipate making a move anytime soon, you can never be sure. Which, coincidentally, is the point of insurance.

When shopping for an insurance plan, check to see how far your insurance provider's coverage extends.

Find the Perfect Private Dental Insurance Plan For You

Whether you just need a basic plan to cover regular checkups or a more serious plan to help you afford the cost of dental surgery, having the right plan can make all the difference.

Know your options. Insurdinary can help you look up quotes for quality insurance providers in your area.

Get the coverage you need today. Any questions? Contact us.