Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Aside from protecting your smile, dental care ensures good overall health. Several studies suggest that oral diseases, such as periodontitis (gum disease), can affect other areas of your body--including your heart. Understanding and choosing dental coverage will help protect you and your family from the high cost of dental disease and surgery.
Driving to work, reading a news article and watching television are likely activities you perform every day. Your ability to do all of these, however, depends on your vision and eye health. Routine eye exams will help maintain your vision as well as, detect various eye problems and concerns about your overall health. Obtaining vision insurance is a way to make sure you can continue enjoying good health as well as, the sights around you.
What is Dental Coverage?
Dental coverage is similar to regular to medical insurance and is one of the voluntary benefit options commonly offered. When you have dental insurance, you pay a premium and then your insurance will cover part or all of the cost for many dental services.
Dental coverage is offered in several types of plans:
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Dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) - Coverage is only
provided when you visit dentists who are in-network with the insurance
plan.
Dental preferred provider organization (DPPO) - Coverage is provided
with in-or out-of-network dental care providers, but you will typically pay
less with an in-network dentist.
Dental indemnity plan - Coverage is provided for any dentist you
choose, with no difference in cost.
Discount dental plan - This type of plan is a common option for
reducing dental costs without regular insurance coverage;
with this plan, you pay for all your dental care at an agreed-
upon discount rate.
Why Should I Have Dental Insurance?
Professional dental care can diagnose or help prevent common dental problems including toothache, inflamed gums, tooth decay, bad breath, and dry mouth. if conditions like these remain untreated, they can worsen into painful and expensive problems such as gum disease or even tooth loss. According to the American Dental Association, more than 16 million children in the United States suffer from untreated tooth decay, which is the most common chronic childhood disease. Regular dental exams can not only treat dental problems but can also identify other serious health concerns, including some types of cancer. Dental coverage will allow you to inexpensively receive preventive and diagnostic care.
What Dental Services Are Typically Covered?
Dental coverage focuses on preventive and diagnostic procedures in an effort to avoid more expensive services associated with dental disease and surgery. The type of service or procedure received determines the amount of coverage for each visit. Each type of service fits into a class of services according to complexity and cost. Services are generally broken up into the following classes:
Class I - diagnostics and preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays)
Class II - basic care and procedures (fillings, root canals)
Class III - major care and procedures (crowns, bridges, dentures)
Class IV - orthodontia (braces)
What is Vision Insurance?
Vision coverage is similar to regular to medical insurance and is one of the voluntary benefit options commonly offered. When you have vision insurance, you pay a premium and then your insurance will cover part or all of the cost for many dental services.
Vision coverage is offered in two basic types of plans:
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Vision benefits plan - This type of plan is regular insurance coverage.
Depending on the specific plan, coverage may differ between in-and
out-of-network eye doctors. You will typically pay a portion of your eye
care cost through a deductible and coinsurance or copayments.
Discount vision plan - With this option you can choose to reduce vision
costs without regular insurance coverage. You pay for all your vision
care, but at a reduced rate.
Why Should I Have Vision Insurance?
A visit with your eye doctor can determine whether you need corrective lenses and, if so, the correct prescription. Other eye concerns that will be addressed in an eye exam include checking for conditions or diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts, which can lead to vision loss.
Regular eye exams can also identify overall health concerns, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and risk of heart disease or stroke before you are even aware of any symptoms. You can then follow up with a medical doctor, minimizing the effects of these conditions on your health and finances.
What Is Covered Under Vision Insurance?
Vision insurance generally provides coverage for basic care and eyewear. Most vision plans will cover the following services:
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Annual or biannual eye exams, including dilation
Eyeglass frames
Eyeglass lenses
Contact lenses
Some plans may cover other services, including laser vision care programs or even prescription protective eyewear that is compliant with ANSI and OSHA safety guidelines.
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Vision plans typically do not cover replacements for frames, eyeglass lenses or contact lenses, medical or surgical treatment, vision training or experimental vision services or treatments.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Dental coverage works similarly to a medical insurance plan. You pay premiums, and then the insurance will cover dental costs according to the benefits listed in the plan. The routine exams and cleanings are usually covered at 100%, but other services are often subject to a deductible and copay. The deductible is the amount you must pay before your insurance will pay. After you meet your deductible, you may be responsible for a copayment or coinsurance, which is the percentage of the treatment cost that you pay.
How Does Vision Insurance Work?
For vision coverage, you pay a premium or membership fee. Then, when you visit your eye doctor or purchase corrective lenses, you pay a reduced amount for services. Eye exams will typically be covered at 100 percent or have a small copay. Corrective lenses are usually covered with a copay or a maximum allotted amount per year.