By Gregg Newby, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth
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What if you chip a tooth playing baseball? Or maybe you're worried about getting gum disease. Should you play it safe and get dental insurance?
Dental coverage isn't cheap. Only about half of all Americans have it. And if you're spending hundreds of dollars on health insurance every month, you might not be able to afford it.
Not everyone really needs dental insurance. For those with healthy teeth and gums, it may just be an unneeded expense. While it only costs a fraction of what health insurance does, the bills can still add up. Some of the costs include:
- Monthly premiums around $20
- An annual deductible of about $50
- Copayments between $20 and $30 per visit
- Penalties for using out-of-network providers
What's more, most policies have a maximum payout of $1,000 to $2,000 a year. Anything more than that you have to pay on your own. And some oral surgeries can cost tens of thousands of dollars. So even if you have a policy, you could still be left holding most of the bill.
Factors to consider
If you're only going in for yearly checkups, dental insurance might not make much sense. You could end up spending far more than you would on the annual dentist's visit. But a policy could come in handy if your needs change.
If you have dependents - especially children - it might help to have a policy. Between yourself and your family, there might be enough visits to come out ahead.
Having solid dental coverage can help you save substantially on:
- Dental exams
- Cleanings
- X-rays
- Fluoride treatments
- Root canals
- Fillings
- Extractions
Other expensive procedures will not be covered entirely by insurers. In these cases, you'll save money but at a much lower rate. Most policies only cover less than half the costs of:
- Crowns
- Bridgework
- Dentures
- Gum surgery
- Braces
What's the bottom line?
Buying dental coverage won't save you much if you end up needing specialized care. For expensive dental treatments, you may be better off with a flexible spending or health savings account. Through those accounts, you can pay for dental care with pre-tax dollars.
But don't write off that policy just yet. Calculate how often you and any family members see your dentist each year for routine care and basic procedures. Figure out if having insurance could help you save a little each year. And remember that getting regular preventive care could save you bigger dollars in the long run. If having insurance will make the difference in whether you get basic dental care, consider it a good investment.
View the original Should you buy dental insurance? article on myOptumHealth.com
SOURCES:
- Manski RJ, Cooper PF. Dental care use: Does dental insurance truly make a difference in the U.S.? Community Dental Health. 2007;24(4):205-212.
- Lewis C, Mouradian W, Slayton R, Williams, A. Dental insurance and its impact on preventive dental care visits for U.S. children. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2007;138(3):369-380. Accessed: 09/05/2009
