Help with Insurance Plans...WTF is going on?

[drewjustdrew]

Most dental plans I have seen do not have networks. Does your dental plan actually list different copays for in and out of network? It will be a separate plan than medical.

If there is a network (rare), usually it has a website that lists participating dentists. It should also have a search by city or address to find something close.

Typically, dentists contact insurance plan before billing patient. You do usually pay your copay up front, however.

[vexvelour]

Drew,

This one has a network. I have the OPTION of going to an out-of network doctor, but from what I've found out by calling is that I would have to pay the entire visit out of pocket and wait 2-3 weeks for reimbursement. As I am broke right now, this is not an option.

When I called a couple of the ones (prior to posting here) in the network, they gave varying answers as to how much I would pay up front, thus causing major confusion on my part.

[MDoranD]

Dental insurance = -EV


Unless your company is paying the majority of the premium, it is not worth it. Just pay cash.
1. It doesnt cover orthodontics. If it does it costs a ton more.
2. You for the most part will just be going for a checkup, which is relatively inexpensive, yet you'll pay a co-pay and your pre-tax salary deductions as well.
3. When you do need something done (i.e. Cavity) you'll not make back what you put into the plan unless you are requiring MAJOR work done on several occasions.

4. If your situation calls for major work to be done, wait for your enrollment month (usually every year) and enroll in the dental plan for that year, have all the work done, and cancel it the next enrollment.

5. When you are not covered, All you have to worry about is the most immediate emergency dental work, which is few and far between if you own a toothbrush.


MDoranD

[vexvelour]

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4. If your situation calls for major work to be done, wait for your enrollment month (usually every year) and enroll in the dental plan for that year, have all the work done, and cancel it the next enrollment.

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This is my current plan. We sprung for the better of the two options for dental so we could take full advantage of the plan and then we'll drop it next year.

[Elevens]

Who's your dental provider?

[Elevens]

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4. If your situation calls for major work to be done, wait for your enrollment month (usually every year) and enroll in the dental plan for that year, have all the work done, and cancel it the next enrollment.

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This is my current plan. We sprung for the better of the two options for dental so we could take full advantage of the plan and then we'll drop it next year.

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Some plans make you commit for two years for this very reason.

[MaxPower]

Find a dentist that will let you pay by credit card.

It sounds like your plan does not have a copay for dental, so you will end up paying up front regardless of whether you go in-network or out of network. You probably should go in-network to save money. Personally, I chose an out of network dentist, but I have my reasons for that.

[Lloyd]

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Most dental plans I have seen do not have networks.

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There are MANY dental plans that have networks.

[chesspain]

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So basically I have to call random dentists in my "in-network" until I find one that covers the whole thing? How do I ask that? "Hi I have such-and-such plan, do I pay in full or would I only have a copay"?



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There you go.