As dental patients, we rely on our dental insurance to cover the costs of our oral healthcare services. However, have you ever stopped to think if your dental insurance is keeping up with the times? Unfortunately, dental insurance has not kept pace with inflation or rising healthcare costs, and as a result, the annual limit for coverage has remained stagnant since the 1970s. In this blog post, we’ll explore why dental insurance is not enough in today’s economy.
Dental Insurance Can Be Complicated
First and foremost, dental insurance providers have not increased their annual coverage limits since the 1970s. While inflation has increased over 500% during this time, the annual limit for coverage has remained at a few thousand dollars per year. This means that even basic dental procedures such as fillings, root canals, and crowns can easily exceed your dental insurance coverage limit. As a result, you may end up having to pay out of pocket or delay necessary dental treatments.
In addition to coverage limits, dental insurance providers also impose waiting periods, deductibles, and co-payments that can significantly impact the amount you actually receive in benefits. Waiting periods can range from six months to a year for more complex procedures, which means that you may have to wait before receiving the care you need. Deductibles and co-payments also add up quickly, especially if you require multiple procedures or have a family of dental patients.
Insurance Doesn’t Always Cover Every Dental Procedure
Another consideration is that not all dental procedures are covered by insurance. Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, and implants are typically excluded from coverage, which means that you will have to pay out of pocket. While these procedures may not be medically necessary, they can significantly impact our self-confidence and overall well-being. The lack of coverage for cosmetic procedures highlights the significant gaps in dental insurance coverage.
Furthermore, dental insurance providers often limit access to care by only covering certain providers or restricting the services that are covered. This means that you may not be able to receive care from your preferred dentist or have limited options for specialists. As a result, you may end up having to compromise on the quality or type of care you receive.
Consider Financing or a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Dental insurance is an important part of our overall healthcare coverage, but unfortunately, it has not kept up with the times. The stagnant annual limit for coverage, waiting periods, deductibles, and gaps in coverage for cosmetic procedures and limited access to care all highlight the significant shortcomings of dental insurance. As dental patients, it’s important to be aware of these limitations and to consider alternative methods of financing our oral healthcare.
Consider options such as dental savings plan, a health savings account, or financing options from your dentist to ensure that you receive the care you need, without having to compromise on quality or delay necessary treatments.