NH Dental Insurance
Dental insurance plans can help provide the financial resources needed to protect the oral health of yourself and your family and to meet the high costs of good dental care. A recent New Hampshire Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey found that cost was a primary reason that people in New Hampshire did not visit a dentist or dental clinic. The survey also found that dental insurance was associated with improved oral health status and increased use of dental services in New Hampshire.
Choosing a Plan in NH Dental Insurance
To find the right dental insurance for yourself and your family, investigate the types of plans that are available from your employer as well as plans that are available to individual consumers. The majority of true dental insurance plans fall into three major categories: dental health maintenance organizations (DHMO), preferred provider organizations (PPO), and indemnity plans. The DHMO, usually the least expensive plan, limits your selection of a dental provider to those chosen by the organization. The providers are paid a fee per member, regardless of service. Some preventative and basic services may be free or require lower co-payments. Major services, however, may be provided at higher costs or not covered at all. The second type of NH dental insurance plan, the PPO, offers in-network options at lower costs, but also allows members the option of selecting an out-of-network provider at a higher cost. The preferred providers can offer discounted services in return for the volume of business they receive from this type of insurance program. The third type of plan, called the indemnity plan, follows the traditional insurance pattern—you choose the dental provider and pay the designated deductible and/or co-payment for different levels of service.
Comparing Options in NH Dental Insurance Plans
Take the time to compare several different dental insurance plans in order to understand exactly how much coverage each would offer for different categories of dental services. Most insurance companies categorize dental services into preventative services, basic services, and major services. Preventative services may include regular cleaning and exams. X-rays, sealants and fluoride may or may not be considered preventative. Basic services may include fillings and simple extractions. Some plans include root canals under basic services. Major services may include crowns, dentures, bridges, partials, surgical extractions, and dental implants. A typical NH dental insurance plan might cover all or most of the cost of preventative or basic services, but only part of the cost of major services. Cosmetic services, orthodontics, and emergency services could be excluded entirely from many plans. Some policies require waiting periods for certain services and most include a “missing tooth” clause. This clause specifically excludes responsibility for services for any tooth that was missing before the policy coverage began.
Finding NH Dental Insurance for Your Family
Suitable plans for families with young children may not meet the needs of a family of older adults. Although everyone needs regular exams and cleaning to prevent major dental problems, children will probably need sealants and fluoride, while seniors should certainly look for plans that provide good coverage for major services such as crowns, bridges, and dentures if needed. Frequent travelers might need flexible coverage in a NH dental insurance plan to cover out-of-town situations. Those active in sports should look carefully at emergency coverage in any plan that is considered. If you already have an excellent dental provider, you may want to consider plans that allow you to stay with that dentist. An online search can provide a time-saving start to your research on dental insurance. To find the dental plans available in your area, enter your zip code at the top of the page.