Supplemental Dental Insurance 101

Many people mistakenly assume that all theirpay, you present your dental discount plan
dental needs are covered by their health insurancemember card, and are billed at the discounted
plans. While many health insurance plans - mostprice for members. A discount dental plan can
notably HMOs - may offer some dental coverage,cost as little as $5 per month per person covered.
most of your dental needs won't be covered byDiscounted Student Dental Plans
the typical health insurance plan. In fact, you mayBecause college students often lose dental and
even find that a dental insurance plan only goeshealth coverage on their parents' dental plans
so far in covering your true dental costs.when they reach 18, many colleges have opted
Supplemental dental insurance can help cover yourto provide discounted student dental plans for
out of pocket expenses, or lower your dentaltheir registered students. Generally, the discounted
costs with participation in various dental plans.plans provide limited benefits such as cleanings,
Supplemental dental insurance is not meant to bex-rays, fluoride treatments, routine fillings and
your primary dental insurance. Rather, it's meantemergency dental treatment for pain relief. The
to help cover the costs associated with yourservices may be entirely paid for by the
dental needs which may not be covered by yoursupplemental dental insurance policy, or may
primary health or dental coverage. There areinvolve a small co-payment. Costs for student
several varieties of dental insurance supplementsupplemental dental insurance are generally low,
plans, but they fall under a few broad categories.from $125-$175 per student.
Dental Discount PlansDental Insurance Preferred Provider Network
A dental discount plan is designed to lower dentalOne popular type of dental insurance plan is a
costs by leveraging the large number of theirpreferred provider network. With a preferred
members to negotiate lower prices for theirprovider plan, you can choose from any dentist
members. Discount dental plans aren't actuallywho is a member of the network for your dental
dental insurance, but they do lower your dentalcare - and switch dentists whenever you like. The
costs by passing the savings on to you. You savedental insurance plan pays a fixed flat fee for any
money by getting your dental care and servicedservice provided, and you pay the rest. Cost is
provided by their member dentists. When yougenerally $15-20 per month.