Despite the Affordable Care Act, medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy for families in the United States. Medical insurance can make the difference between affording lifesaving health care and amassing hundreds of thousands in medical bills.
Although you may recognize your need for health insurance, you may wonder why dental coverage costs extra and whether dental insurance is essential. Let’s explore the benefits of dental insurance and who needs coverage for dental care.
Dental insurance covers essential dental care. Some dental plans cover 100% of preventative care costs, including dental exams, cleanings, and X-rays. Since your insurance covers all or most expenses for dental exams and teeth cleanings twice yearly, it gives you affordable access to essential preventative dentistry services.
Preventative care can reduce or prevent the need for some restorative and emergency dentistry services. Preventing tooth decay, infections, gum disease, and other oral health issues means you won’t suffer from pain and other symptoms or require expensive dental care to correct these issues.
Although dental care has historically been treated as a benefit in the U.S. instead of a necessity, oral health care can prevent dental issues from worsening and causing other health issues, such as heart problems and brain abscesses. Consequently, investing in dental insurance is a way of protecting your physical health.
Since everyone should see their dentist at least twice annually, everyone should have access to affordable dental care. Dental insurance is the best way to afford the care you need. While those without oral health issues can determine if it’s more affordable to pay for checkups out-of-pocket, they should consider the possibility they’ll need emergency dentistry services. Impact from a car accident, fall, or blow could create a dental emergency, leaving you with costly dental bills if you do not have insurance.
Two main venues for acquiring dental insurance are employee benefit plans and the health insurance marketplace.
Employers must offer full-time employees health care coverage if they have at least 50 employees. Employer benefit plans typically offer the option of dental plans in addition to health insurance.
The Health Insurance Marketplace gives citizens access to health, dental, and vision coverage. You can compare the benefits and premiums and choose a plan suited to your needs.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) insurance are standard dental coverage options.
HMO plans are typically more affordable; however, you’re required to select a dentist from their network and receive dental care from your primary dentist. If you need to see a specialist, you must go to your dentist, who must refer you to a specialist in your HMO plan’s network.
You do not need to choose a primary dentist if you have a PPO plan. Although it’s more affordable to see dentists in their network, you can use your plan to cover some of the costs of out-of-network dental professionals, and you do not need referrals to see specialists. PPO plans cost more than HMO plans. Humana Dental Insurance is one example of PPO Insurance.
Although dental insurance plans cover most of the costs of restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry services, you may have out-of-pocket expenses, such as the cost of copays and prescriptions you need to cover.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are one way to afford out-of-pocket expenses. You do not have to pay taxes on money put into an HSA; your HSA can earn interest, and you can roll funds over if you do not use them.
Flex Spending Accounts (FSAs) are another way to cover out-of-pocket dental costs. You do not have to pay tax on money put into an FSA.
Dental plans cover various dental procedures, including the following preventative, restorative, and cosmetic treatments:
Checkups
Cleanings
Mouth guard
Nightguards
X-rays
Dental Implants
Sealants
Dentures
Tissue grafts
Periodontal gum care
Root canal treatment
Scaling & root planing
Bridges
Invisalign
Crowns
Porcelain veneers
Dental bonding
Smile makeovers
Fillings
Teeth whitening
Implants
It’s crucial you check your dental insurance plan to confirm what it covers. Since your dentist submits the insurance claim paperwork, you can also consult your dentist’s office to confirm how much your plan covers and what you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
You can refer to your dental insurance plan’s network to find a Houston dentist who takes your insurance. You can also contact dental offices near your Houston location and ask if they take your insurance.
URBN Dental accepts most PPO insurance plans, enabling us to provide expert dental care to PPO insurance clients, whether we’re in their network or not. When you need to see a dentist about symptoms of an oral health problem or see a dental hygienist for professional dental cleaning, you can contact URBN Dental to confirm we accept your insurance and how much of your treatment your insurance covers.
At URBN Dental, we give you our complete attention when you come in for dental care. We’ll listen to your concerns and provide you with the personalized care you need for excellent oral health and a beautiful smile.
Bacterial Endocarditis. (2024).
Clements, S. (2024). Is My Employer Required to Provide Health Care Coverage?
Health Care Costs Number One Cause of Bankruptcy for American Families. (2017).
Kasymov, A. (2022). The Dental Insurance Industry: How Did We Get Here (Part 1).
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