Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Message

#1 Post by **thenumber12** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 4:20 pm

I'm wondering whether I should get it for orthodontic coverage but if it only covers $1000 or so annually but you're paying $60 a month that approximately adds up to $720 ish a year so basically, you're not getting much "coverage".
Is it still worth it?

#2 Post by **chocomorsel** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:06 pm

Depends on the type of dental insurance you have. Usually it is cheap <10 bucks/month thru an employer and any benefit for orthodontics is worth it in my opinion. Some people have two different plans and pay thousands of dollars less on their treatment because of that.

I would never pay 60 bucks a month on dental insurance. That's crazy expensive. That's almost what I pay for health insurance just add 15 bucks. Anyway, shop around and maybe you could get a better deal.

#3 Post by **QueenElizabeth** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:38 pm

chocomorsel wrote: I would never pay 60 bucks a month on dental insurance. That's crazy expensive. That's almost what I pay for health insurance just add 15 bucks. Anyway, shop around and maybe you could get a better deal.

Yeah I would have to agree with Chocomorsel. I had Tonik through Anthem Blue Cross, which didn't cover much. After looking around I decided to go with Delta Dental. My ortho treatment total cost $ 2,900. I have all metal.

My deductible was about $ 100.

Before getting my braces, I had some extractions, cleaning and such. I'm so glad I went with Delta Dental.

http://www.deltadental.com

#4 Post by **thenumber12** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 3:36 pm

QueenElizabeth wrote:
chocomorsel wrote: I would never pay 60 bucks a month on dental insurance. That's crazy expensive. That's almost what I pay for health insurance just add 15 bucks. Anyway, shop around and maybe you could get a better deal.
Yeah I would have to agree with Chocomorsel. I had Tonik through Anthem Blue Cross, which didn't cover much. After looking around I decided to go with Delta Dental. My ortho treatment total cost $ 2,900. I have all metal. My deductible was about $ 100.

Before getting my braces, I had some extractions, cleaning and such. I'm so glad I went with Delta Dental.

http://www.deltadental.com

I'm currently unemployed so I have to shop Individual and the only plan that would cover orthodontic treatment is $60/mth. It seems the majority of people in LA district are covered by Delta Dental PPO offered by employment and really happy with them. I've looked into other dental plans but not a lot of them cover orthodontic treatment. Delta Dental offers HMO which costs significantly less but I heard one too many times the dentists that accept that particular plan are basically bottom of the barrel dentists who butcher teeth to make more money or over treat you. Unsure of how ortho's would differ.

Can any of you clue me in on how having double insurance works for say, one surgery? Though I doubt I could afford that (or that they would accept me due to pre-existing conditions) and already paying $200 on health insurance alone monthly.

#5 Post by **QueenElizabeth** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:00 pm

thenumber12 wrote:Delta Dental offers HMO which costs significantly less but I heard one too many times the dentists that accept that particular plan are basically bottom of the barrel dentists who butcher teeth to make more money or over treat you. Unsure of how ortho's would differ.

Hrmm. Bottom of the barrel dentist? That could be any dentist. The first dentist I went to was under my Blue Cross insurance had great reviews and gave me a blotched root canal. It's the reason I went looking for better insurance and dentist. The ortho office I'm with now, accepts almost every insurance and they're great! If that should change over the course of the next two years, I'll let you know!

#6 Post by **thenumber12** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:56 pm

QueenElizabeth wrote:
thenumber12 wrote:Delta Dental offers HMO which costs significantly less but I heard one too many times the dentists that accept that particular plan are basically bottom of the barrel dentists who butcher teeth to make more money or over treat you. Unsure of how ortho's would differ.
Hrmm. Bottom of the barrel dentist? That could be any dentist. The first dentist I went to was under my Blue Cross insurance had great reviews and gave me a blotched root canal. It's the reason I went looking for better insurance and dentist. The ortho office I'm with now, accepts almost every insurance and they're great! If that should change over the course of the next two years, I'll let you know!

Do you have Delta Dental HMO?
I think Delta PPO and Premier is reserved for group policies through employers so DHMO prepaid plan might be the only choice I have at this point. I've heard horror stories about DHMO dentists specifically but haven't heard much about orthodontists so might as well pay out of pocket for dental procedures but use the plan for specialists, x-rays and orofacial pain related procedures.

#7 Post by **xGa12yx** » Fri Aug 05, 2011 4:24 am

Mine is, I have Dental PPO through my company and I only get deducted $30 a month from my paycheck. I have $2,000 for regular dental work per year and I had a Lifetime Max of $2000 for Ortho. So with that being said I only have to pay $2400 out of my own pocket for my braces. Which isn't bad.

#8 Post by **thenumber12** » Fri Aug 05, 2011 5:25 am

I also read a review that HMO plans don't seem to pay out more than they receive. Someone saved only $23 for $130 x-rays. Others have complained that Customer Service will use any excuse or minutiae against you, tear your case apart to get out of paying. Lots of 1 star ratings for Delta HMO. One reviewer said having Delta HMO is like not having insurance at all. Wish there were more reviews online of insurance companies.

The plan description is so different though. Waiting for someone to prove me wrong on this.

#9 Post by **QueenElizabeth** » Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:07 am

DeltaCare Individual here.
DeltaCare Benefitshttp://www.deltadentalins.com/ca_indiv/ ... -caa55.pdf

#10 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Sat Aug 06, 2011 6:31 am

Take a look to see if there is any waiting period on getting orthodontic treatment. Some plans will ask you to be plan members for a year or two before being allowed to use the orthodontic benefit.

Our experience has been that most patients who do not have insurance to start off do not benefit much from enrolling in an insurance plan. These companies do not make money by giving out more money to you than they take in, especially on individual plans.

#11 Post by **chocomorsel** » Sat Aug 06, 2011 9:47 pm

Listen to Dr. Tam and go without if you are unemployed. Not worth it.

#12 Post by **thenumber12** » Sat Aug 06, 2011 10:19 pm

Thanks for the advice. I believe you and Dr Tam are right. Since x-rays and consults for medically necessary procedures (ct, panoramic) are already covered under medical, I doubt I would benefit from DHMO. Plus, if I'm correct, the good dentists work with their patients providing discounts and such.

#13 Post by **thenumber12** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:46 am

btw, there is no waiting period for the DeltaCare USA plan. It's a prepaid HMO type plan for Individuals and you get to use it the day coverage begins. It's really affordable, covers adult orthodontia, routine and preventive procedures are very low cost if not free... but I hear it's difficult to find a good, reliable primary dentist who won't try to upsell you into unnecessary procedures and I'm not sure how much they would cover for orthodontia. C'mon... $23 for a $130 x-ray?

Metal Mouth Message Board

Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?

Re: Is Dental Insurance worth it?