Question: I need to find a family dental plan where we can all go to the dentist whenever we need to and pay the dental office bills after the dental insurance company pays their part before making us pay our share of the cost.

In the past, we had plans to pay the dentist upfront for the total cost of our dental services and wait for the insurance company to refund us. In this day and age, who can afford to do that? I know we can not. 

Those types of dental insurance plans keep us from going to the dentist, and at that point, I do not see paying $120 a month for a dental insurance plan we do not even use because we can not pay upfront for dental services. What options are left for us that would be more affordable?

Reply: Welcome! I hope you are doing well today. I want to discuss dental insurance plans and how claims are processed. I can understand why the claims process can be upsetting, particularly regarding how claims are paid. Let me assure you that you are not alone. Many people have questions about dental insurance plans and how they work.

Based on what you have told me, you have either a dental PPO or an Indemnity dental insurance plan. If you like the plan benefits and coverages overall and it is just about how claims are paid, consider talking to your dentist. With dental PPO and Indemnity plans, the payment process and how the dentist gets paid is really up to the dental office. It does not typically come from your insurance company.

The dentist can choose to submit the claim and get paid by the insurance company before billing out any remaining balances to their patient. In the past, many dental offices processed claims that way. However, sadly, many patients would fail to pay their part, and then the dentist’s office would have to chase them down for payment. This is why many dental offices have started billing their patients in full and making them file claims to the insurance company to get paid back (refunded) the part due them.

Some dental offices charge you what they think your part of the cost would be based on your policy coverages, then bill or credit you depending on the outcome. However, few dentists still do this, as it can still be an issue of fully getting paid for services already rendered.

Based on what we have discussed, it is not an issue with the insurance plan per se but more of knowing how your dentist is willing to file claims and how they expect you to pay for services. Therefore, if you are still facing issues with your dental insurance plan, you may need to change your dental office, not your dental insurance plan. I hope this information was helpful to you. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

California Oral health care, Red and sore gums

I recently noticed that my gums have been hurting slightly and seem redder than usual. I brush twice a day and floss almost every day. They do not bleed when I am doing that but they just kind of hurt when I do. Could I have gum disease?

Reply: Some of the start signs of gingivitis (gum disease) would include but are not limited to, Swollen or puffy gums, Dusky red or dark red gums, and tender gums. I suggest visiting your dentist as soon as possible, so if you have the start of gingivitis, your dentist can treat it before it becomes a more significant issue. Consider buying dental insurance if you do not have any current, as it will help to keep your dental care cost more affordable.

I need to understand how dental insurance works. I have a dental insurance PPO plan through my job, but it could be better. I am considering removing it and getting just the medical. Why have insurance if you have to pay the dentist?

Reply: Medical insurance has a cost paid out by the insured, too. Dental insurance is designed to make dental care more affordable, not necessarily free. You may not think dental care without insurance is so bad, but to give you an example of how even in preventive care, dental insurance is worth the cost. Say all you need is preventative care.

Without insurance, preventive care costs (Office visits, Bite-wing X-rays, Oral Exam, and Basic Cleaning) can range around $200 – $400, keeping in mind most low-cost HMOs plan range from $8.00 to $20.00 a month with preventive care typical being free. More extensive dental care services become expensive when you don’t have dental insurance.

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued an opinion that upholds the Affordable Health Care Act

This includes the individual mandate for coverage.  The case challenged the constitutionality of several parts of the law, including the rule that most people in the U.S. must get health coverage.   We will continue to carry out provisions of the law by thoughtfully implementing the new requirements for customers and members. We will also continue to look for ways to address increasing costs that are crippling our health care system, including: ·      Advancing our partnership with primary care physicians announced earlier this year that we believe will substantially improve quality and member health, and potentially reduce the trend in overall medical costs by as much as 20% by 2015. ·      Coordinating patient care through the use of IBM-Watson technology to promote evidence-based health care and ensure that millions of Americans receive the most effective courses of treatment.  We look forward to continuing our efforts to work with policymakers and other key stakeholders to build a health care delivery system that provides security and affordability to all Americans.

New York Family Dental Insurance that offer good benefits.  Please help me find a good dental plan that is affordable for my family of four but still offer good benefits on the dental services render.  My husband work two job but neither offer dental benefits.

I work from home but I too get no dental benefits for our family.   We can afford around $80.00 but I am not seeing plans in our price range and the few I did have very long terms waiting periods with low maxim dollar limit… Do you have anything better and with in what we can afford?

Dental Insurance Dental Care, Missing Tooth Clause. Over the coarse of many years and bad teeth care habits I have lost a few teeth. I never had dental insurance and would hardly to to the dentist because to be frank I do not like dentist very much. I am currently paying the price for having such a bad attitude about my oral healthcare and dentist. I am trying now to do the right thing and get my teeth fixed up but I am finding out that there are no dental insurance plans willing to help me.

Many of the dental insurance plans I see have long term waiting period for the dental services I know I will be needing to have. If I have not choice in the matter I may be willing to wait out the waiting periods but I was told that many dental insurance have missing tooth clause and it may not be worth my buying dental insurance since the plan will not cover the dental work I would need to fix my teeth.

How do I compare different dental insurance and plans in California. So I live in Los Angeles California and I am on line looking and the many different dental insurance plans and dental plans that are available in California. What I really need is help in understanding the coverages.

I know I am going to need a cleaning more then likely a deep cleaning since it has been some time since I last saw a dentist. There also a good chance that I many need to have a filling or two. When I try to review the coverages of the different plans there are more then just one filling and I not sure where to find a deep cleaning on the coverage chart.

The same thing goes for crown there too many listed and I am not sure which would be the correct crown that most people get. How am I to know what one is needed so I can figure out my cost for those services and compare it to your other plans. Please advise

Low Monthly Dental Insurance Quotes for Pennsylvania. I want to get the best dental rate for dental services render. I was told that I need to have four filling and a possible root canal with crown work done I do not have insurance so I need to get something in force before going ahead with having any dental work done.

I think I am like most people I do not have a lot of extra money after paying my required bills. I would like to keep my cost low. How do I go about not only shopping the dental insurance but making sure I am getting the best price for the dental services I will need to have?

Reviewing Dental Insurance Plans, Delta Dental Insurance. Delta Dental provides exceptional service, extensive dentist choice, and substantial claims savings through its affordable dental coverage to over 24 million enrollees. Delta Dental’s generosity has enabled more than 750 volunteer dentists and 140 dental laboratories to contribute over $10 million services for over 6,100 vulnerable individuals with seriously neglected problems.

Delta Dental is a leader in improving oral health statewide. Delta Dental has recognized that by treating children’s dental needs, we have improved their overall health and self-esteem. They offer solutions that expand access to care while preserving the widespread availability and affordability of dental benefits. In addition, Delta dental plans collectively serve more than 54 million Americans representing more than 90,000 groups.

Delta Dental is the oldest and largest dental health carrier in California, covering nearly 20 million Californians. Delta Dental’s Customer Service staff speaks English and Spanish, and has access to interpreters for many other languages. Delta Dental is the largest dental plan system in the United States. Member companies serve over one-quarter of the estimated 165 million Americans with dental insurance.

Delta Dental’s roots go back to 1954 with the formation of dental service corporations in California, Oregon and Washington, which were created by dentists who recognized the need to increase access to oral health care. Delta Dental companies are actively engaged in many studies, grants and partnerships with dental schools and community health organizations to increase access to professional dental care as well as to research evidence-based dentistry and the efficacy of new benefit designs.

Shopping out for Affordable Dental Insurance Plans in New York. I have been on line now for the past few day trying to find dental insurance for my family that is not over what I can afford to spend a month.

I must admit that I am getting overwhelmed with all the different types of dental insurance plans and how they work. At this point I am almost ready just to give up looking for dental insurance and continue to pay out of pocket for my family dental needs.

However if I do that, I know we will not go to the dentist as much as we may need to. So before tossing in the towel can anyone explain to me what is the difference between a dental HMO and a dental discount plan. What is a PPO? Everyone tells me I should pick a plan where we can choose our own dentist but we really do not have a dentist. So does that then matter?

Dental Care, Fractured tooth pulled will not stop bleeding. I need some good advise please. My mom had a fractured tooth pulled about a few hours ago. The extraction site is still bleeding continuously. All the bleeding is making her have a very upset stomach. What can she do to help stop the bleeding faster. I hate to see her not feeling well and although she says she is not in to much pain from having the extraction she is still sick from the blood.

Best Dental insurance coverage plans for individuals and their future dental needs. I live in Connecticut and I know that most dental insurance plan that I been seeing on line seem to have long term waiting periods.

I have a lot of needed dental care but I am willing to wait if I can get a good dental plan that has the best future dental care benefits. I do not want to get a dental plan and wait out the waiting period only to still find that it is not such a good plan. How do I make sure that what I getting is the best and not just a waste of money and my time?

North Carolina Individual Dental Insurance for Children. Can a minor have their own dental insurance plan without a parent being listed on the plan ? I have to get dental insurance for my ten year old daughter who lives with her mom.

I do not get along with my X wife at all and I only want to get dental insurance for my daughter since I am not required to do so for my X. However she seems to think this can not be done. Can you advise because having to get dental insurance that includes her will piss me off. Thanks.

Dental insurance plans for small business in California.  I own a small business and have two employee and my wife working. I have medical and dental for my wife and I but I was looking for a very low cost dental plan I could get for my two employees. I not sure how to go about getting them some dental benefits. I just like to help them out a little since I can not afford to get them medical benefits right now. Any suggestions?

Affordable Dental Care for Low-Income Adults – Dental Health Care needed in New Jersey. I am 30 and although I do work a full time job it does not offer dental benefits. Also since I do work I can not get much help when it comes to affordable dental care. Even though I have a job I really only make enough to live and pay my bills not much more then that. My teeth are not terrible but they do need dental care I can not afford to have done. What low cost dental care plans do you have to offer that can help me?

Maine Dental insurance for less. I live in Maine and I am looking for a lower cost dental insurance plan.  Most dental insurance plans I seen so far are a little to much more then I want to pay.   Looking for a individual dental insurance plan that is around $20 or so a month.  It does not have to be great coverages but just something that will help me save money on my basic dental care.

Major Dental care needed in Texas, but I do not have any money. Broke in Texas.  People just do not understand that when I say I have no money to see a dentist it is because I really do not have any money.

Right now I pay low-income rent of $600 a month  however,  I only make roughly about $1000 a month so you see that does not leave me much money when you take into account all my other bills. 

I am going to school part time but I have no dental benefits from my job or because I am going to school.   Where can I go to get free to very low cost dental care.  Either that do you offer a very low cost dental plan where I can get my teeth fixed.

Washington Dental Plan Pricing Information on a Low Monthly Cost dental plan:  Hello I live in Washington and I need the cost of having a dental plan.  I need to see a dentist and right now do not have dental insurance.  I do not have much money so I am looking for a low monthly cost dental plan.  Can you please advise what you have available in Washington

What are some low-cost full coverage family dental plans?   My 14 year old son needs to have a dental cleaning, X-rays and I would not be surprised to hear that he has a cavity or two.   Since he does not brush like he should and I have to keep telling him to brush and floss like a five year old.

Anyway two months ago I got laid off from my job and I had to get a new one.  My new job does not offer dental insurance and I would like to get an affordable low cost full coverage plan.  Something that offer braces in case my son needs to have them.  Please advise.

Connecticut Dental Insurance for basic dental care.  I am working two part time jobs and right now do not have any dental benefits.   I would at least like to get a dental plan to address my basic dental care needs.   I do not think I should have any major going on with my teeth since I take proper care my my oral health.  So a low cost dental plan would be good for me.

Affordable Dentist and dental care in Georgia.  I have a current dental PPO insurance plan that I get though my job.  My share of cost for the plan is $20 a pay check so $40.00 a month.  I had it now for over two years and my problem with it is that there are no affordable dentist. 

At least to my dental insurance company because I am always getting hit with UCR fee for my dental services.  I am not sure it this a bad plan or if the dentist in my area are really over priced but it is bugging me that I really not getting much help with regards to my dental care.  Do you have any dental plans that do not have UCR fees or do you know where I can go that is more affordable so I am not going over cost and getting UCR fees.   Thank you for your help.

Hello I live in New York NY and I am a signal male looking for any type of dental insurance dental plan that will help me in getting four implants.   I am only 26 and I was in an accident that was my fault that knocked out and killed four of my top front teeth.   I am having a hard time trying to find dental insurance that can help me.  Do you have anything that would be helpful?

I am a full time student in Florida.  I do work a part time job but that does not offer me any dental care.  I am on my parents medical but since they too do not have dental I do not get any help there either.

I have not seen a dentist in over a year and although I do not have any current problems with my teeth that I know of I still worry that I should be seeing a dentist just in case.  As you can guess going to school is costly and takes up most of my money can you please suggest a low cost dental insurance or plan that would be best for me in Florida.

Please help, I live in PA and and need to find  a place I can go to that will not charge me so much for my dental care.   I have not been to a dentist in over four years and I know I am starting to have teeth issues that need to be looked at.

My problem is I have yet to find a dental office that is willing to offer an affordable payment plan for their services.  They all want cash up front at the time of the service if you do not have dental insurance.   Or they tell me to get a credit card.  Which I can not get do to no credit.

I live in Maine and I am wanting a dental plan that I can get for myself without having to get it though a job.  I go to school full time and only work part time so I do not get dental.  I just want a simple dental plan that I can have for my basic check ups.