If you have health insurance, you may be wondering: does health insurance cover dental care? It depends on your specific policy. Most dental plans pay for certain preventative care such as cleanings, but other services, such as root canals, can be costly. While preventive care is typically covered, some procedures are not, and you may have to pay out-of-pocket costs. In some cases, a deductible will be required before your dental coverage will kick in.
One type of dental plan is a Dental HMO (Dental Maintenance Organization). A DHMO plan offers coverage through a network of dentists. Members receive discounted rates for certain dental services, and some services are covered 100%. While DHMO networks are relatively small, they may have no waiting period or annual limit. You also may not need to worry about a deductible, and some DHMO plans don’t have them at all.
Other dental plans don’t cover dental work for pre-existing conditions. The plan may require you to undergo a recent dental checkup to be eligible for coverage. Some plans even have an annual benefit limit that prevents you from claiming for more dental services after reaching that limit. That means you’ll have to pay for the rest of the work yourself, or wait until the next policy year to get full coverage. Often, dental insurance doesn’t cover any cosmetic or orthodontic procedures.
Medicaid is another option for dental coverage. Dental coverage through Medicaid can cover crowns and root canals. While Medicaid does not cover dental care for adults, it does cover certain dental procedures for children. Similarly, Medicaid and CHIP are free health insurance for children. Children’s dental benefits are outlined on the same page as those for adults. You should check with your state’s Medicaid website to determine if your coverage applies. So, does health insurance cover dental care?
If you do have health insurance, you should read the benefits carefully to see whether dental care is included. Some dental insurance policies cover dental care as part of their benefits package. If you don’t, you should consider purchasing dental insurance through your employer. Just remember that dental care is expensive, so it’s essential to make sure you have health insurance coverage that covers the cost. If you’re a child, you might want to consider dental insurance.
Many dental insurance policies have deductibles and co-insurance. Most dental plans cover routine dental care, but you may have to pay an excess for more complicated dental procedures. For this reason, it’s better to seek out dental insurance if you don’t require major dental work. Alternatively, you may choose to self-insure and be completely independent of your dental insurance provider. But don’t forget to check the details first.
The Affordable Care Act allows you to search online for health and dental insurance policies. But remember that this service is only available during enrollment periods, and you may not qualify for it at all. Some major life events may void your eligibility for insurance. It’s best to compare several policies on the same level before deciding on one. If your employer’s plan doesn’t offer dental insurance, you should consider purchasing a stand-alone dental plan. Moreover, you can buy dental insurance through eHealth’s licensed insurance agents.
