Dental Insurance That Will Save Your Smile
For many people, doling out the cash to get a toothache treated can hurt almost as much as the tooth itself. That’s because about 40 percent of Americans lack dental insurance, and most who have a dental plan lose that coverage once they retire.
But ignoring dental problems or skipping preventive care can harm you. For instance, some studies suggest that chronic gum infection is associated with an increased risk for heart attack.
Our experts say that the following steps can help you maintain your oral health without wrecking your budget.
Strategies for Saving on Dental Care
Dental Insurance With Paltry Benefits
Medicare. Medicare covers little in the way of dental care (except for hospital services such as post-accident jaw reconstruction). Medigap plans—supplemental private insurance—generally offer no dental insurance. Medicaid coverage is quite limited for adults but slightly better for children.
Dental insurance you buy on your own. Just 4 percent of Americans buy private dental insurance. “Insurance makes you feel protected, but there are often one-year waiting periods before you can qualify for work like root canals and crowns,” Hallisy says. “Some plans exclude these altogether.”
And these plans are often no bargain. One typical plan, AARP’s PPO “Plan B” dental insurance, begins at $474 per year per person. It has a $100 deductible and an annual cap of $1,000, and you pay part of the cost for all services and procedures. So you’d spend at least $574 before reaping a benefit.
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