Dental Insurance

[legal girl]

I've been thinking about getting dental insurance. Is this the same as medical insurance in that you can't be covered for pre-existing conditions? I ask because I already know that I will need some fillings and a mouth-guard for bruxism so does that mean these things won't be covered? Thanks in advance.

[bednobs]

yes (denplan)

[EdmundD]

I have dental insurance through my employer and for routine dentistry it works like this:

1. Visit dentist
2. Dentist advises I need a filling and carries out the work
3. I pay for the treatment
4. Submit claim to insurer and they pay.

There has never been any dialogue about pre-existing conditions. My policy even covers routine check ups and cleaning.

There are exclusions e.g. they don't pay for any antibiotics prescribed by the dentist. One time my dentist said I needed a tooth removing but I woud need to be in hospital with a general anaesthetic. Then I had to go through the routine with the insurer of geting them to approve the surgeon, the anaesthetist, etc. before having the op.

I have found it very worthwhile particularly where some work has been expensive - crowns and the like.

[dzug2]

Before they take you on the dentist will do a checkup and put you into sufficient dental health for them (or in fact the dentist, as he works on a fixed fee from the insurance company) to take you on

Essentially he's telling the insurance company that he will look after you for a year for whatever part of the fee is 'his'

[EdmundD]

In my case I pay the dentist for whatever treatment he gives me. I ask him to sign an insurance form, submit the form to the insurer with a statement showing that I have paid the dentist. The insurer then reimburses me. There's no involvement of the dentist with the insurance company other than detailing the work he has done and providing a statement that I have paid for it.

[bednobs]

i think it depends on the insurer (and the policy) denplan works the way the second post says, HSA or similar might work differently