Considering Dental Insurance?

As of  late many of the insurance carriers that I represent now offer a stand-alone dental plan, not only available with your current health insurance plan.

Before selecting this optional benefit, it is important to understand how dental insurance works.

1. Does your dentist accept the plans terms of service and is he considered to be a "In-Network" or "Out-of-Network" provider.  If your dentist is "In-Network" than the dental plan will provide greater benefits.
2. Preventative Services such as cleanings and X-Rays are covered 100%
3. All plans have a 6 month waiting period for Basic Services (cavities, fillings, extractions) and a 12 month waiting period for Major Services(root canal, crowns, dentures, restorative).  After waiting periods, member pays either 20% or 50% of allowable charges.
4. All costs that are paid out by the insurance carrier are applied towards the plans $1,000 or $1,500 annual benefit maximum

The only way around the waiting periods is acquiring a dental plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) that must be taken when applying for a plan of health insurance coverage.  BCBSIL only has a 12 month waiting period for crowns, dentures and restorative.

If your teeth are in great shape and you seek semi annual cleanings, you may want to weigh the cost of coverage to the actual cost you are to pay retail.

If you do not have a dentist, then it might be wise to acquire a plan to cover the cost of your initial "new patient" consultation and cleaning, especially if you plan on going twice a year.

If you just found out that extensive work is needed, your best bet would be BCBSIL since there are not any waiting periods for Basic Services and a few Major Services.  If not BCBSIL, none of the plans will be a benefit.

Fore more information please contact the shoppe.

-The Shoppe