Finding Low Cost Dental Insurance Programs
Drilling and root canals aren’t the only reasons to avoid the dentist. The bill is a powerful repellant, too, especially if you lack dental insurance.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says only 47 percent of workers in private industry have access to dental coverage, compared to 71 percent who have access to medical insurance. As open enrollment season approaches, you may be among those disappointed to find your company doesn’t offer dental benefits.
As with any medical matter, though, dental ailments can grow in severity and costliness if left unchecked.
Here are some ways to find affordable care:
Prices aren’t written in stone. Dentists, perhaps more than other doctors, are accustomed to working with patients who don’t have insurance. So don’t be shy about voicing monetary concerns.
“There’s a lot of flexibility we can offer,” said Matthew Messina, a Cleveland dentist and the consumer adviser for the American Dental Association. “We’ll work with people on a case-by-case basis.”
Not all dentists will negotiate. But it’s worth asking before committing to an appointment.
Messina, for example, allows deferred payments or helps prioritize treatment over a longer period if patients can’t afford everything at once.
Find free or low-cost care.
You don’t need to have a low income to qualify for affordable care.
Dental schools, for instance, usually provide a full range of services at steeply discounted rates.
Since there are fewer than 60 dental schools in the country, it may not be an option for everyone. In the Carolinas, there are dental schools at UNC Chapel Hill and at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
Another possibility is checking out federally funded health centers, which are required to provide care regardless of a patient’s income. Each center operates differently, but you might be asked to pay on a sliding scale, based on how much you earn.
There are 1,200 centers in the country with a total of 7,500 locations. About three-quarters of them offer some form of dental care, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers. Log on to www.hrsa.gov to find one near you.
Shop for a plan.
If you prefer getting dental coverage, there are essentially three options – dental HMOs, dental PPOs and discount plans.
One advantage of an HMO is that you know what you’ll be paying upfront. For instance, there might be a $5 co-pay for a routine visit or $10 for a basic procedure.
With a PPO, you pay a percentage of the costs depending on the procedure or reason for office visit.
The average premium for a dental HMO was about $14 a month in 2007 and $44 a month for a dental PPO, according to the National Association of Dental Plans, whose members provide 80 percent of the country’s dental coverage.Check specific plan policies and prices to see which option makes sense for you.
To find insurance plans in you state, check www.ineeddentalbenefits.com. Keep in mind that individual plans typically don’t cover orthodontia, which covers matters like braces, teeth straightening and gaps.