As 2024 is quickly approaching its conclusion, you might be shopping for insurance policies in the new year. As you compare dental plans, you may see some unfamiliar terms. For example, you might be confused about what a deductible is. Continue reading below to learn everything you should know about this aspect of your coverage.
What Is a Deductible?
A deductible is basically the amount of money that you must pay to your dentist out of your own pocket before your insurance will pay for anything. Here is an example: Your policy might cover 80% of the cost of fillings. If the total price of your treatment is $300, and your deductible is $50, you will have to pay that $50, and your insurance will pay 80% of the remaining balance. Your total financial obligation for your treatment would amount to $100.
Here are a few key points to remember about deductibles:
- Deductibles are more common with PPO plans than with DHMO plans.
- You are only responsible for paying your deductible once a year.
- Insurance deductibles vary between plans, but they are usually in the neighborhood of $50 – $100.
- Deductibles tend to apply regardless of whether you visit an in-network or out-of-network practice. However, total fees may be lower at in-network providers.
Individual and Family Deductibles
If more than one person is covered on your dental plan, you might have both an individual deductible and a family deductible.
To help you understand how that can work, imagine that you have an individual deductible of $50 and a family deductible of $150. If you, your partner, and one of your children receives treatment, a $50 deductible will apply in each case. Altogether, you will pay $150, which meets your family deductible. Any remaining family members on your plan will not have to pay any deductible at all.
Are Any Services Exempt from Deductibles?
Some insurance companies do not charge a deductible for certain services. For example, exams, cleanings, and routine X-rays are sometimes 100% covered with no extra fees. In other words, you might be able to receive basic preventive care for nothing out of pocket!
Dental insurance can be tricky to understand sometimes. If you need more information about deductibles or other aspects of your coverage, your local dental practice may be able to help you find answers to your questions.
Meet the Practice
At Torrington Dental Care, we welcome insurance, and we are in-network with many popular plans, including those from Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, United Concordia, and more. We are always happy to help patients understand how their coverage works in various situations. To learn more about how we may be able to assist you, contact our office at 860-259-4073.