The Difference Between Group and Individual Dental Plans

Dental insurance is a benefit typically provided by employers to help offset some of the high cost of dental care. Depending on your situation, you may be able to have dental insurance with your employer, or you may be self employed and be needed to look at other options. Let's take a look at both dental insurance and group dental plans. Both work to get you dental coverage, but each is a little different.

A good general health plan includes good dental health. Dental insurance is a benefit typically provided by employers to help offset some of the costs of dental care. Dental insurance generally pays claims directly to the dentist for most dental procedures. Dental insurance will pay the dentist a fixed amount or percentage for each dental procedure. Normally, dental benefits allow you to use any dentist you choose. Check your plan details to make sure you understand your options.

Individual dental care plans are also available and provide dental benefits similar to dental insurance you can get through an employer. Individual dental insurance is often more expensive than group dental. And, medical and dental insurance like this can come with waiting periods. The benefit to an individual plan is you can choose the features you want, and are not bound by the groups' plan.

Sometimes, reducing dental plans would be a better fit for dental insurance. Depending on your financial situation, you can opt for a discount dental plan. Discount dental plans generally do not have waiting periods or application forms and are less than the cost of dental insurance. The other options of dental plans offer a payment schedule for dental procedures performed by dentists in a network of dentists. People with any reduction of dental plans can make significant savings on procedures such as cleanings, fillings, crowns and root canals if it is done by a dentist within the network. The downside of the discount plans are usually features. Because you are paying less, you often have less choice and control over the benefit providers. But for someone with little income, any dental plan is better than nothing.

Dental insurance and reduced dental plans can work together to provide better dental care. Many plans have dental waiting times of up to 12 months before major dental services are covered. Dental insurance also typically covers a maximum annual of $750 - $ 2000 for dental procedures. If someone needs dental care immediately, reduced dental plans would save money on dental procedures immediately, dental insurance and could start paying once the waiting times are met.