Individual & Family Dental Insurance in Florida

Maintaining good oral health should be an important aspect of everyone’s health.  Many illnesses, including cardiovascular disease has been shown to be directly related to good oral hygiene.

What are the different types of dental plans

Dental insurance coverage in Florida comes in a variety of packages. Some plans allow you to visit any dentist, while others specify which group of dentists from which you can choose. The arrangement of participating dentists, or providers, is typically referred to as a “network.”

The most common types of dental insurance plans are preferred provider organizations and health maintenance organizations:

• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) – In this type of plan, you choose from in-network dentists. The services you receive are typically at a discounted rate so that your co-pays or deductibles are generally low, and affordable. You can also see an out-of-network dentist in a PPO plan, but most likely you may pay a higher co-pay or deductible for services rendered.

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – This type of plan is considered one of the least expensive types of dental plans because whereas you visit an in-network dentist, you generally do not have to pay any deductibles. In some cases, co-pays may be required.

Other plan types include indemnity and scheduled, which allow you to see the dentist of your choice but generally require more out-of-pocket expenses than PPO and HMO plans.

How much will dental insurance cost

Depending on the particular plan, premiums will generally range from a low of $10 to as much as $45 per month for an individual. Family plans can cost as little as $18 or more than $120 a month.

What are the benefits of dental insurance

Generally, many dental insurance policies provide full benefits for routine cleanings because preventative measures can eliminate the need for additional procedures. There is traditionally no waiting period for preventative benefits. Most plans, however will generally have a 3 to 6 month waiting period for restorative and a 6 to 12 month for major dental work; but not all. A majority of plans will specify a waiting period for orthodontia work and may only cover certain procedures for your dependents up to a certain age: for example, the orthodontia portion may cover a dependent up to 22 years of age an d may also have a 24-month waiting period before receiving benefits.

Each plan also typically specifies an annual limit on how often you can receive certain procedures and for what dollar amount. For example, a plan may allow two preventative cleanings and tests each year or once every six months. Other procedures such as root canals may be limited to one every two years or a certain number of fillings each year. Additionally, cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening generally are not covered by an individual dental insurance plan.

How to choose the right dental insurance

Good oral health is often a reliable indicator of overall health, so keep this in mind as you consider dental insurance. Think about what procedures you may eventually need such as bridges, crowns or fillings. If you have children, obtaining orthodontia coverage now could start the countdown on any possible waiting periods.

For More Information
We care about your smile and can answer any questions you may have about dental insurance coverage in Florida. Please call us today at 888-564-2326 for a free and non-obligatory consultation.