When it comes to selecting a dental insurance plan, there are a lot of variables to consider, including which dentist accepts your provider, what your policy covers, how much you’ll pay each month, and how much your deductible is. But while many concepts are easy to understand, it is easy to become confused by what your deductible means, and how it affects the cost of your care. Here’s a closer look at this term, and how it could affect what you pay for dental treatment.
What is a Deductible?
Simply put, your dental insurance deductible is the dollar amount you must pay out of pocket before your dental insurance plan begins to pay for your dental care. Most deductibles reset every 12 months, typically on January 1; however, check with your individual plan, as this is not always the case.
The Different Types of Dental Insurance Deductibles
There are two different types of annual dental insurance deductibles: individual and family. Here’s a closer look at how each works.
- Individual Annual Deductible: When your dentist submits a claim to your dental insurance provider for treatment, they will apply your deductible first. From there, they will calculate your coinsurance prior to receiving coverage. Should you require additional treatment with a covered service during the remainder of the calendar year, there will be no further individual deductible charged.
- Family Annual Deductible: If you have a dental insurance plan for your entire family, you may have a family deductible. Each family member has their own individual deductible that contributes to the family’s deductible. For example, if you have a family of four and a $200 deductible, once each of the four $50 individual deductibles has been paid, your family deductible will be fulfilled.
Preventive Care and Deductibles
While meeting your deductible can often make it easier to pay for more costly dental treatment, the point of dental insurance is to provide valuable savings on preventive care such as your regular exam and cleaning appointments. Thus, these are typically covered by your plan and are not subject to your deductible, saving you even more money by lowering your risk of needing costly treatment later.
Remember, your deductible is the fee you pay before your dental insurance coverage kicks in for care such as restorations and tooth-saving treatments. The good news is that despite this low fee, your dental insurance can be extremely beneficial at saving your hard-earned money on a variety of oral health care procedures that may otherwise put an undue strain on your budget.
About Our Practice
At One Dental New Jersey, Dr. Rabbi and Dr. Ahmed are proud to provide excellent oral healthcare to the Edison community. Whether you need a smile-saving treatment, a regular exam and cleaning, or you’re suffering from a dental emergency, we are happy to accept a variety of popular dental insurance plans. To learn more about how you can make the most of your individual policy, please visit our website or call us today at 908-489-0881.