Dental insurance, in short
You pay a monthly premium. In return the plan pays a share of covered services, up to a yearly maximum. Preventive care, such as cleanings and exams, is often covered at a high percentage; fillings and crowns at a lower one. Each plan has its own list of what is covered.
Terms worth knowing
- Deductible: what you pay first, before the plan pays.
- Annual maximum: the most the plan will pay in a year.
- Waiting period: a delay before certain care is covered.
- In-network: dentists who agreed to the plan’s fees. Out-of-network can cost more.
- Pre-treatment estimate: a statement from the plan of what it expects to pay for planned care.
Savings plans
A savings or discount plan charges a yearly fee and offers lower prices from participating dentists. There is usually no yearly maximum and often no waiting period, but the plan does not pay any part of the bill. You pay the discounted fee yourself.
Which fits you?
It depends on how much care you expect to need, which dentists you want to see, and the cost of the plan. A little arithmetic helps: compare the annual premium and your expected out-of-pocket with the cost of paying fees directly.
Where Teethelo stops
We explain how these work. We do not sell plans, quote prices or recommend any plan or dentist.
General information only. Teethelo is not a dental or medical provider and this is not dental or medical advice. Talk with your own dentist about your situation. In an emergency, call 911.