Dental And Vision Insurance Is Not Only Affordable, It’s An Important Part Of Maintaining Good Health!
Maintaining good dental health is an important part of overall fitness. Unfortunately, many people don’t schedule regular cleanings and checkups to catch small problems before they become big problems. Part of this is due to a fear of going to a dentist but another part is the cost of dental visits. Even if you are insured by Medicare or a qualified ACA health insurance plan, only a limited amount of dental care is covered. The good news is that there are a number of insurance plans available from well-known companies that provide dental, vision and sometimes even hearing benefits.
What Do Dental & Vision Plans Cover?
There are a wide variety of dental plans available from multiple insurance companies. The plan that best fits your needs will depend on your unique circumstances and budget but most dental plans have certain things in common:
- Coverage for basic preventive benefits. These include exams, cleanings and x-rays. Usually, there are no waiting periods for these benefits.
- Coverage for more extensive dental work. These include fillings, extractions, dental bridges, implants, etc. Usually, these benefits have a waiting period of 6 to 12 months before the company will cover them. They are often subject to coinsurance of 50% to 80%.
- Orthodontia is covered on some plans with a waiting period but includes a lifetime maximum benefit per person.
- Vison coverage, if included, usually covers exams, frames, lenses and contacts. There is usually a maximum allowance per service, per year.
- Annual Maximum Benefit: this is often a per person maximum than can be anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000
- A Per-Person Annual Deductible: usually a low amount ($50 to $100) and often will not apply to basic preventive benefits
- Hearing benefits may be included with some plans to include coverage for exams and hearing aids.
A licensed agent that represents multiple insurance companies can assist you with finding the best plan for your needs.
Doesn’t Medicare Or My Health Plan Cover Dental & Vision?
Medicare and most health plans for those under age 65 provide very limited benefits for dental or vision expenses. They are provided only in limited instances such as restorative surgery after an accident or illness. The vast majority of routine and other dental and vision expenses are not covered under Medicare or your health insurance plan. Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan may have some of these benefits included depending on the plan. You should check with your agent or insurance provider if you need more detailed information about your current coverage.
Is It Hard To Get Coverage?
Dental and Vision insurance is one of the easiest protection plans to get. Most plans have no underwriting which means you don’t have to be in perfect health to get a plan. Some plans are available up to age 90, so age is also not a limiting factor. These types of plans are also very affordable considering the benefits available to you. The insurance companies that provide these plans have multiple options so finding one that fits your budget and coverage needs is easier that you might think!
