Finding the right insurance can help you save money and ensure that you get the right coverage when it comes to dental work. Dental work can be very expensive, but you won’t have to worry about paying an arm and a leg to get your teeth cleaned with the right insurance and a trustworthy dentist.
At Wayzata Dental, we understand that dental work can be expensive, and we want to offer the best care we can at the lowest cost possible for our patients. That’s why we’re breaking down everything you need to know about dental insurance today!
Is Dental Insurance Required in Minnesota?
First off, it’s important for you to know whether or not you’ll be required to have dental insurance in Minnesota. You might like to know that dental insurance isn’t required in the state of Minnesota as of right now. Because dental insurance isn’t required, almost 25% of Americans have chosen not to pay for it.
This has caused dental providers to get creative with offering dental care to both kids and adults. If dental practices want more patients to come to their practices, they’ll need to offer payment plans and options for those who can’t afford insurance.
8 Best Dental Insurance Options in Minnesota
Here’s a list of some of the best dental insurance providers throughout the state of Minnesota. Note that most of these providers don’t just offer dental insurance but combine dental with health insurance.
1. Delta Dental
Delta Dental is one of the nations leading dental insurance providers. They provide plans for individuals, families, small and large businesses, and retirees. At Delta Dental, their mission is to ensure that America gets the dental care they need.
Be sure to check out their website because they offer several great resources, including a tool that helps you find the average cost of procedures based on your location.
2. Guardian Direct
Guardian Direct has been around for over 160 years. That’s a long time for any insurance provider, especially for dental insurance. Guardian Direct is not only one of the longest-standing insurance companies in the United States, but it’s also one of the cheapest. Some of their plans start at just $20 a month. That’s only $240 a year for dental insurance. Some of their less involved plans can even go for less than $10 if you qualify.
3. United Healthcare
As one of the larger health insurance providers in the country, United Healthcare has been providing health and dental insurance for years. Many of those who benefit from these plans have spoken highly of this insurance company’s service.
Check out their website for many different insurance options.
4. Cigna
As a smaller company, Cigna can offer great rates to its customers. Some dental plans start at as low as $19 per month per person. And with access to over 297,000 convenient locations throughout their nationwide network, there are few reasons not to give Cigna a try.
5. Ameritas
Ameritas offers several different insurance options, plans, and investment plans so that you can build a successful future for your family. Ameritas insurance plans are great for companies and employee benefits. If you’re looking for an all-encompassing insurance plan, then be sure to look into Ameritas.
6. Renaissance Dental
Offering health, vision, and dental insurance, Renaissance Dental gives back to its customers by offering great service. They also have many great charitable outlets to assist children, seniors, and veterans who wouldn’t otherwise have the healthcare they need.
7. Spirit Dental
Spirit Dental only offers dental and vision, making them a specialized service for those looking to add dental, vision, or both to their current health insurance coverage.
Both dental and vision can be a huge benefit to those who choose to purchase them. There are several situations where it can really pay off to have dental and vision insurance. And, if you’re someone that needs this care often, it will also save you a lot of money.
8. Humana Dental Insurance
Humana offers great dental insurance at a budget-friendly rate with low office-visit copays. Their plans are customizable based on your needs, age, and state. You’ll be able to choose three different plans that offer different benefits based on your desired dental care and visit frequency.
How Does Dental Insurance Work? Understanding the Basics
Dental insurance works much in the same way that health insurance does. In fact, many dental plans are part of a bigger healthcare plan. But unfortunately, it’s not just that simple. We all wish that it could be, but dental insurance doesn’t cover everything and often doesn’t meet the needs of its customers the way some assume.
Here are the basics of how dental insurance works.
Group Coverage vs. Individual Policies
There are two different options available regarding dental insurance. Still, one of the biggest is whether you’re looking for a group plan or an individual policy—both work about the same way regarding paying premiums and getting coverage, with only a few variations.
In both cases, you’ll have to pay your monthly or yearly premiums, and then you’ll be covered for a certain amount of visits and ‘free’ services each year.
The difference is that with individual dental insurance, the premiums go up as you get older. Group plans typically do not. The other factor is that an individual policy will usually cover less than a group plan since it’s based on health instead of the group. Group coverage is what would normally be offered by an employer.
Determine Which Dental Providers Are in Your Network
After you’ve decided on the policy that’s right for you, you need to determine which dental providers are in your network before you determine the insurance company you’re going to work with.
You may have a dental office that you’re familiar with and a specific doctor or hygenist that you like to see. Purchasing the wrong dental insurance will keep you from being able to see that dental office, and you’ll be stuck starting over again.
Know Your Dental Coverage
Next, you need to know and determine your coverage— what’s going to be covered annually by your dental insurance and what won’t be. This is the biggest area of mistake in understanding dental insurance. Unlike health insurance with a set deductible, dental insurance will sometimes only cover specific things like cleanings and preventive treatments.
When it’s time for your big root canal, it’s unlikely that your dental insurance will foot the bill. Some better dental insurance companies have good policies around coverage, but most of them do not.
How to Find and Choose the Best Dental Insurance
When you’re ready to determine and choose the best dental insurance provider for you and your family, you’ll need to establish clear objectives.
- What are you hoping to cover?
- What are you willing to pay?
- Do you want to continue seeing a specific dentist?
If you can answer these questions, you’ll be well on your way to finding a dental insurance provider that’s right for you. Don’t be afraid to be picky. You deserve the right service, and that will fit your needs.
Finding a Dental Provider that Fits Your Needs
When you’re finished choosing the right insurance, it’s time to start looking for a dentist that’s going to fit all of your needs. Looking through your insurance provider’s network is a great place to start. Beyond that, a good dentist should have:
- Clear customer reviews
- An easy-to-navigate website
- Great customer service
- A family-friendly atmosphere
At Wayzata Dental, we strive to be a professional and welcoming dental environment for our patients. If you want the premium experience in dental and an office that’s willing to provide pain-free dental procedures then we’re the right fit for you.
Learn more about what makes us different here.