What is Dental Implant Insurance?

Dental implant insurance typically does not cover dental procedures for dental implants including complex oral surgeries and costly cosmetic treatments that have to be taken care of in a dental hospital setting. While the dental insurance plans highlighted above do occasionally cover dental implants, it's important to weigh how well this coverage really helps. The coverage is almost never cheap, but it's important to carefully evaluate what it covers before making any plans. To help you out, here's a round-up of some of the major questions you should ask any insurance agent about dental implant plans.

How does the plan work? Dental implant insurance benefits are determined by your plan year one and two. What happens is that you are granted an "Intermilk Benefit Year" in which you get an extra dental implant procedure in addition to all of the regular dental insurance benefits. After this benefit year, the coverage stops. So make sure you understand which procedures are covered in these special plans, how long you'll be covered during those years, and what happens if you decide to switch insurance companies during those years.

What are the benefits covered in the dental implant insurance plan? Generally speaking, there are three categories of benefits from which you can choose. These include everything from basic procedures like cleaning and filling, to more complex treatments such as root canal therapy, bridges and crowns, dentures, and more. You can also choose to pay for only one or two major services at a time, or cover implants in their entirety. Make sure to ask any agents you contact about your particular plan what exactly is covered and be aware that most plans don't cover anything past emergency treatment, which includes procedures like root canals.

How do you get the coverage you need? There are two ways you can get dental implant insurance: either through an employer (many people have dental insurance right now, but many others don't), or through an independent dental insurance company. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For people who are self-employed, or work for a company that does not provide dental insurance, there are independent companies that offer this coverage.

Who should consider dental implant insurance? Those individuals who need major oral surgery, or whose teeth are in need of dental implant repair because of serious or debilitating disease or trauma, may find that coverage is necessary. Also, anyone who has had to replace their teeth due to severe tooth decay, or those who are unable to chew properly due to deficiencies in the jaw area or teeth, could benefit from this type of coverage. The policy should cover all the expected costs, so it's important to read through the policy carefully.

Will your new tooth implants be covered under the policy you choose? Unlike dentures, implants cannot be covered by dental insurance policies. However, there are plans that will allow you to get partial coverage for the cost of the tooth. This is why it's important to shop around before settling on a plan - some plans offer this type of coverage, but not all do. For the best coverage, you'll probably want to buy a plan that offers both dental implant costs and tooth replacement coverage.