What to Look for When Shopping for Dental Insurance

Visiting the dentist is important, not only for achieving a beautiful smile but also for your overall health. In fact, many health problems, such as heart and vascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes and oral cancer, are discovered during a routine dental exam.¹ Visiting a dentist regularly can help you detect health conditions earlier, when they’re easier (and less expensive) to treat.¹

Going to the dentist should be easy, convenient and affordable, whether it’s for preventive care like routine exams and cleanings or for dental procedures such as crowns and implants. That’s where dental insurance comes in.

Not sure where to start? Consider these tips when choosing the right dental insurance plan for you.

Whether you’re shopping for a plan for yourself or your entire family, everyone should get routine preventive care like dental exams, teeth cleanings and x-rays. But people in different age groups may need different types of additional services. For example:

• Children may need more complete coverage, as well as an option for braces.
• Adults may need a variety of dental treatments from root canals to wisdom teeth removal.
• Older adults may require treatments such as tooth extractions and dentures.

Now that you understand your needs, you can begin comparing plans.

The best dental insurance plan for you allows you to see a dentist you like and trust, covers the treatments you (and your family) are likely to need and fits within your budget. Consider the following.

What’s covered. Most routine dental treatments, such as preventive exams and cleanings, are covered under basic dental insurance plans. Some plans also provide additional coverage for things like orthodontics and implants. Look for coverage that best matches your health needs and budget.

Don’t forget to review the fine print. Some dental insurance plans have waiting periods and other limitations for certain services, which may prevent you from getting the care you need. At Renaissance, we offer plan options that cover preventive services, like cleanings and exams, with no waiting periods.

Plan costs. When comparing individual and family dental insurance plans, first consider the monthly cost or premium. You’ll also want to understand the deductible (the amount of money you will have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in) and the annual maximum (the most the insurance company will pay per year for dental services).

Provider network. Most dental plans have a provider network. When you visit a network dentist, your out-of-pocket expenses will generally be lower compared to seeing an out-of-network dentist. Look for an insurance carrier featuring  a large network, which is more likely to include your provider, for maximum choice and value.

In-network discounts. Seeing an in-network dentist means you get the best value because insurance plans typically negotiate discounted fees on your behalf. Find out what the in-network discount is and be sure to find a dentist that is in-network for your plan.

Extra benefits for maximum value. Some dental insurance plans, such as those offered through Renaissance, include extras to help your benefit dollars stretch even further.

• Up to two additional cleanings per benefit period for individuals with serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
• Oral CDx BrushTest® Biopsy oral cancer screening.
• Online member portal that makes it easy to check benefits information, find a participating dentist, print ID cards, and more.
• Option to bundle dental coverage with vision care for one low, budget-friendly rate.

Choosing a dentist is an important decision you’ll want to make as soon as possible. The first step is to see if your dental insurance requires you to choose from a list of participating (in-network) dentists. Some insurance plans allow you to choose an out-of-network dentist, but you may pay more out of pocket.

Remember, the bigger the network, the more likely you are to find a dentist you like. Renaissance has an online provider search tool that makes it easy to find a provider that offers the best choice and value for your dental coverage.

• Find a dentist you like and make sure they’re in-network. If you have a preferred dentist, use a plan’s provider search tool to see if they are in-network. If not, you can search for an in-network provider in your area.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleaning. Checkups can find tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems before they lead to more serious issues like tooth loss.²
• Understand how to file claims. Renaissance dental plans make this process hassle-free. Dental offices participating in our nationwide PPO network will complete and file claims for you, so you don’t have to deal with paperwork or wait for reimbursement.

Practice good oral hygiene. In addition to regular visits to the dentist, remember to practice good oral hygiene habits, like brushing and flossing daily, avoiding tobacco products and limiting alcohol, and limiting sugary snacks and drinks.²

Prioritize preventive care. Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for preventive services, so there’s no reason not to see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.

Explore discount programs and promotions. Take advantage of any discount programs or other promotions that your plan offers. The Renaissance Healthy Savings Card, for example, can help members save money on common dental procedures.

Stay within your plan’s coverage guidelines. Always make sure you understand which services your dental insurance plan covers and which providers are in-network. This helps you get the most out of your plan benefits each year.

Bundle dental coverage with other ancillary benefits. Add value and protection for you and your family with combined dental and vision plans. Renaissance partners with VSP® Vision Care to offer members the convenience of bundling vision care with their dental coverage for one low, budget-friendly rate.

Examples above are based on Renaissance Dental in-network group claim data for services from July 2017 through June 2018 and are for illustration purposes only. The claims are averages normalized to a nationwide amount. Amounts assume no other benefit restrictions (e.g. annual maximums and deductibles). Fees and reimbursements may vary by location, dentist and insurance carrier.

After you’ve done your research, it’s time to choose a dental insurance plan. At Renaissance, we believe going to the dentist should be easy, convenient, and affordable.

Whether it’s routine exams and cleanings, or dental procedures such as crowns and implants, we are committed to making sure you have access to all-important care for substantially less.

Why choose Renaissance:

• Comprehensive coverage. Covered services include preventive care like routine exams and cleanings, plus dental procedures such as crowns and implants.
• Significantly lower out-of-pocket costs: Fees that average 20-50 percent below typical dental office prices.
• Extensive nationwide PPO network: National and regional dental networks with over 450,000 dental access points for maximum choice and value^.3
• Easy-to-Use benefits: Dental offices participating in our nationwide PPO network will complete and file claims for you.
• Trustworthy carrier: Part of the Renaissance Health Service Corporation, which pays out over $3.7 billion for dental care annually with a strong “A” (Excellent) rating by A.M. Best Company.³