Archive for the ‘Dental Insurance’ Category

With the increasing cost of dental services, having dental insurance is vital in keeping your dental care cost more affordable. Depending on the type of dental services you need or the dental provider you may wish to go to can affect the type of dental insurance and plan that will work best for your needs. Every kind of dental insurance and plan has pros and cons; therefore, it is essential to read through them carefully to choose the most affordable plan that will best work for your dental care needs.

Before buying dental insurance, knowing your dental needs and budget is essential. Consider your current dental health, any ongoing dental issues, and how often you visit the dentist. Also, check if your preferred dentist is in-network with the dental insurance provider you are considering. Lastly, it’s important to review the dental insurance plan’s coverage, deductibles, and annual limits to ensure it matches your needs and budget.

Robocall scams can often seem random, but that’s not always true. Sometimes, robocalls targeted to older Americans whose Medicare eligibility opens the door to health insurance fraud.

It is essential to know that Medicare does not call you uninvited and ask you for personal or private information. Medicare usually sends a written statement in the mail before you get a phone call from a government agency. Medicare advises that calls you receive requesting health insurance information should not be trusted.

Here are some additional tips from Medicare.gov to help you avoid scammers. 

  • Never give your Medicare card, Medicare Number, Social Security card, or Social Security Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know who should have it (like insurers acting on your behalf or people who work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Get the contact information for your local SHIP.
  • Do NOT accept offers of money or gifts for free medical care.
  • Don’t allow anyone, except your doctor or other Medicare providers, to review your medical records or recommend services.
  • Never Join a Medicare health or drug plan over the phone unless YOU called Medicare.
  • If someone asks you for your information or money or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your details, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit medicare.gov.

Additional Tips for Avoiding Scammers 

  • Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers.
  • If you answer and the caller isn’t who you expected, hang up immediately.
  • Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden name, passwords, or any other self-identifying response to an unexpected call.
  • Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.
  • If a caller claims to represent a health insurance provider or a government agency, hang up. You can then call back using a phone number on an account statement, phone book, or official website to verify the caller’s authenticity.

Don’t be a victim of scammers. Keep these tips in mind, as scammers can be persuasive. 

When shopping for an HMO dental insurance plan or a dental discount plan, you must ensure they have an in-network provider (dentist) you wish to visit. However, continue beyond one dental provider in a plan. You want to ensure that the dental insurance or plan has at least two to three dental providers that would work for you. You want to ensure that you have more than one provider so you can change dental providers or get a second dental opinion when needed.

Both dental HMO and dental discount plans require you to pick a plan provider or go to plan providers. There are no benefits or savings when going to a dental provider not an in-network dentist on the plan.

When selecting a dental provider from a plan, there are a few things to consider:

  1. Location: Choose a dentist that is convenient for you to visit. The closer the dental provider is to your home or workplace, the easier it will be to keep your dental appointments.
  2. Reputation: Look for online reviews and ratings of the dental provider. You want to choose a dentist with a good reputation for quality dental care.
  3. Services: Verify that the dental provider offers the services you need. For example, if you need orthodontic treatment, ensure the dentist is an orthodontic specialist.
  4. Availability: Check the dental provider’s availability, including their hours of operation and appointment availability. You want to choose a dentist that can accommodate your schedule.
  5. Cost: Find out your out-of-pocket costs for services, such as copays and deductibles. Make sure that the dental provider is affordable and fits within your budget.

Considering these factors, you can choose a dental provider from your plan that meets your needs and helps you maintain good oral health.

Medicare is set to begin negotiating lower prices with drug companies in the fall as a part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act signed in 2022. However, some key players are hoping to avoid these negotiations altogether. The leading industry groups filed a lawsuit against the administration in June, claiming that the program violates the First and Fifth Amendments. Who will emerge victorious in this legal battle over drug prices remains to be seen.

Medicare Advantage is a program that offers an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits. Under this program, you can choose from a few dental services companies. It is essential to review your options carefully and compare them to buying a separate dental insurance plan.

When reviewing your options, take the time to review each plan’s benefits for dental services. The coverage can be limited, and you want to ensure you know and understand the coverage available for dental care. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover preventive care such as cleanings, X-rays, and exams but may not cover other procedures such as root canals or crowns.

After reviewing what is available for dental care, compare what they offer against buying a separate dental insurance plan. You may pay more for your dental insurance plan, but finding coverage and cost savings are better and save you money on your dental care needs. A separate dental insurance plan can offer more comprehensive coverage and help you save money on costly dental procedures.

In conclusion, it’s essential to review your options carefully when it comes to dental care. Whether you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan offering dental services or buy a separate dental insurance plan, it’s essential to ensure you have the coverage you need to maintain good oral health and avoid costly procedures.

In most cases, Medicare does not cover dental services like routine cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, or items like dentures. In addition, Medicare Advantage may not provide enough coverage when you need it.

Some Dental Services Medicare May Cover:

  • Certain dental services you get when you’re admitted as a hospital inpatient for your dental procedure, either because of your underlying medical condition or the severity of the procedure. 
  • Specific inpatient or outpatient dental services directly related to certain covered medical treatments. In these cases, you must get the dental service because it’s linked to the success of the medical treatment you need, like:
    • An oral exam and dental treatment before you get a heart valve replacement or a bone marrow, organ, or kidney transplant. 
    • A procedure (like a tooth extraction) to treat a mouth infection before you get cancer treatment services like chemotherapy.
    • Treatment for a complication you experience while getting head and neck cancer treatment services.

Regarding your primary and overall dental care needs, consider shopping for a dental insurance plan that better fits your dental needs. Having good dental healthcare helps maintain good overall health. You can contact our member service line at 310-534-3444, where our team of experts will help you understand each plan’s different options and benefits. They will guide you in selecting the best plan to provide your family with the necessary coverage at a price that fits your budget.

In short, Medicare does not cover routine eye exams for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Medicare also does not cover the cost of glasses or contacts unless you’ve just had cataract surgery.

However, our office offers a vision insurance plan by VSP that provides benefits for eye exams and eyeglasses or contact lenses. VSP Vision Insurance is a comprehensive insurance plan that provides benefits for eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. The plan covers eye exams with a low copay and includes eyeglasses or contact lenses allowances. VSP has an extensive network of eye doctors and retailers, so finding a provider or a retail location for eyewear is easy. Additionally, VSP offers additional savings on lens enhancements and other vision-related needs. VSP Vision insurance could be an excellent option for those who want to maintain their eye health and save money on vision-related expenses.

Question: I am currently shopping for dental insurance and want to stay with my current dentist. I asked the front office what dental insurance plans are acceptable, and they said that they accept the Delta Dental insurance plan. Still, the problem is that I discovered several Delta Dental products/plans when searching Delta Dental. Which one would my dentist take? 

Answer: Yes, Delta Dental offers several different plans, from HMOs, PPOs, and indemnity insurance plans. Only the HMO plan is a plan where your dentist needs to be a provider of the plan for you to receive the plan benefits, as you have to choose a plan provider. 

With that said, PPOs and Indemnity dental insurance plans are plan types that let you choose your dentist. PPOs have a provider list and may reduce benefits if you decide to go to a dentist who is not a plan provider but can still pick or stay with your current dentist. With a PPO just read the plan coverages so you know what your benefits are if your dentist is not a provider of the PPO plan option.

With an Indemnity dental insurance plan, there is no plan provider list. You can go to any dentist you want. These plan types typically run a little more costly than a PPO plan. 

Regarding the Delta Dental plans we offer, call our member service line at 310-534-3444, and we will be happy to go over our Delta Dental opinions so you can choose the one that best fits your dental care needs. 

Question: I have health insurance through my employer, and although it offers dental benefits, it is limited in coverage of dental care services. Can I buy another individual dental plan and use that instead? 

Answer: If you have health insurance through your employer that includes dental benefits but is limited in coverage for dental care services, consider purchasing an individual dental plan. You also may be able to coordinate benefits. It will depend on what you have currently and if you are going to a dentist who will coordinate dual plans. It is, however, worth asking about at your dental office. 

If you are considering purchasing an individual dental plan, it is essential to review your options carefully. We currently offer 46 different dental insurance and plan options for your review. Our member services at 310-534-3444 will gladly assist you with these options if you have any questions about our dental insurance plans.

Question: What is the best dental insurance in California? I know very little about dental insurance, but I want to spend less time looking into getting a plan. I only need something for essential check-ups and cleanings anyway. 

Answer: We often get asked this question, but the best depends on your dental needs. What dental care do you feel you will need, and what dental provider you may want to go to? You state that you only currently need preventive dental care, which most plans provide benefits for preventive care at a low to free cost. It would help if you spent time reviewing your dental insurance options to ensure you get what suits you. 

However, our member services at (310-534-3444) can review our dental insurance plan options with you and help you choose a plan that fits your current dental needs. 

Maintaining good oral health is crucial for overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath, which can cause significant discomfort and pain. Moreover, research has shown that poor oral health is linked to other health problems such as heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, and diabetes. Therefore, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, having periodic dental checkups, and following a healthy diet. If you have dental insurance under most plans, this type of service falls under preventive care and is inexpensive.

Tooth decay destroys a tooth’s outer surface from acid-forming bacteria produced by food containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Tooth Decay Prevention: Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Preferably, brush after each meal and before bedtime to help prevent bacteria from staying on your teeth for a certain length. Consider these helpful tips: Floss your teeth daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Check with your dentist about using supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth and helps prevent tooth decay. Consider dental sealants; sealants are placed on the top of the molars to protect the teeth from decay. Use mouthwashes with fluoride. Many kill 50% or more of the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Chewing gum with the ingredient Xylitol © may also kill some of the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Question: Is there any dental insurance plans that I can get for a signal person for only $15.00 or less a month. So far all the plans I see for dental insurance are around $30 – $45 or more a month. I am even willing to have longer waiting periods if that will help reduce my monthly cost. I have no major dental needs but I hate not having dental insurance just in case something was to come up.

Answer: Yes you can find low monthly dental insurance plan. What you would want to look for are HMO dental insurance plans. They normally offer very low affordable monthly cost and good over coverages. Another choice also would be a dental discount plan. They to are very affordable on a monthly cost and will help reduce your dental services needed. We over both of these plans types in most states. Just enter your zip code in the quote box provided to review the plan options available

Question: Do to a job change I no longer have dental insurance. It is very important that I maintain dental insurance for my health care. I have diabetes and because of my diabetes I have on and off again problems with my teeth. I have problems mostly with my gums but I also get many cavities due to being a diabetic. I have to see my dentist every three months just so I can keep my teeth in good shape. So I would like to know if getting dental insurance is going to be a problem with having diabetes? Also I do not want to change dentist since mine knows about my diabetes and I like the way he takes care of me. I do not know where to look for dental insurance and I want to make sure I will be covered for my future dental needs.

Answer: Most dental insurance plans do not exclude for pre-existing. You being diabetic and having dental care under the plan should not be an issue. However just read terms and conditions of the plans you are viewing. Most dental insurance will not cover work in progress which is not what you have. The other factor you mention was about keeping your current dentist. I would suggest calling your dental office up and finding out what plans they are a provider of. This will save you from reviewing plans they they do not accept. If you have to buy a PPO or Indemnity dental insurance plan in order to stay with your current dentist then make sure you carefully read the plans term and conditions, since these types of plans will normally have waiting periods and maximum limitations that may effect your current dental care needs.

Question: Right now I an in school so I do not receive dental benefits from my part time job. Is it possible for me to get dental insurance on my own? I do not have a lot of money but want to have some dental for my oral health needs.

Answer: Since you are looking for a lower cost dental insurance plan I would suggest reviewing any dental HMO options available in your state. Dental HMO insurance plans are the more affordable plans with fewer limitations, however you will need to go to a plan provider. You may so want to review any dental discount plans that are available to you in your state. As dental discount plans make dental care more affordable for a very monthly cost.

I was wondering if there are any dental insurance plans that cover for cosmetic services? My current dental plan will not cover for me to have any dental cosmetic services such as teeth whitening, veneers or dental implants. That said I would still like to have some help with the cost of cosmetic dental services. I have yet to find a dental insurance that will cover for cosmetic services.

Reply: Most dental insurance plan to not offer benefits/coverage’s for cosmetic dental care services. So it may be hard to find one that dose. However you may want to review a  dental discount plan options such as Careington. With a dental discount plan you save off all your dental care needs including cosmetic services. Generally your average discounted saving on cosmetic dental services is around 15% to 20% not bad on a plan that cost you less then $10.00 a month for an individual.

I do not have dental insurance and I live out here in OK. I need two dental crowns for my teeth. I was also told that I should have a small cavity filled before it becomes a bigger issue. I just do not have the money needed. My dentist quoted me 2875.00 for two crowns and fillings. Where can I go to get the dental work need for half that cost. Because that is about all the extra money I have right now to spend on my teeth care. Please advise or give suggestions.

Reply: You may want to review either any dental discount plan options or HMO insurance plan options that are available to you in your State. Both of this options are lower cost plans, but more importantly they do not have waiting periods for the dental care services you current need. Now whether or not they are half the cost that you are getting quoted for on not I can not say you would need to review each plan and see which you feel best fits your needs. But both plan types to help to reduce your dental care cost compared to not having anything.

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