Dental Benefit Trends Every Broker Should Know
Best practices for oral health care have remained fairly consistent over the years – brush twice and floss once daily, see your dentist for preventive care, and so on. However, although the way we take care of our teeth doesn’t change, the world of dental benefits is always evolving. There can be many reasons for this, from consumer trends or attitudes toward the economy to new discoveries about oral health. With so much opportunity for change, it’s important to stay on top of current trends – so let’s review what’s happening in the modern world of dental benefits. The impact of the economy Employees and employers alike are worried about rising costs and the state of the economy, but it helps to explain that dental benefits aren’t an empty cost. Let employers know that U.S. adults lose an estimated 243 million work hours to oral health problems each year. By […]
Coverage for Every Phase of Life
Changes and transitions are an inevitable part of life, and with each one comes the need to assess our dental coverage options. Whether you are graduating from college, starting a new job, or getting married, it’s important to have a dental insurance plan that suits your needs. With our help, you can rest assured that you’ll have the dental coverage you need during each new chapter of your life. Marriage and coverage changes Marriage is considered a “qualifying life event.” After a qualifying life event, you can change your dental plan within a specified amount of time. If requested changes are not made in time, you may have to wait for open enrollment. Be sure to check your dental coverage to see when the adjustment will occur. You have a few options within the qualifying life event period for changing coverage. You can: Choose to keep your coverage as is […]
10 Dental Insurance Terms You Should Know
Let’s take a quick look at dental benefits terms anyone can benefit from understanding. We cover some of the most important aspects of your coverage such as plan maximums, network coverage, preventive care and more. 1. Annual maximum: The maximum amount your plan will pay for dental procedures during an annual period. Once you reach the maximum, you’ll be solely responsible for additional dental fees. TruAssure’s Choice and Choice Plus plans offer flexibility and allow you to choose your annual maximum. 2. Basic services: Services needed to treat common dental conditions such as fillings and extractions. The cost for these services varies depending on your dental plan. 3. In-network: Visiting an in-network dentist is one of the primary ways to save when it comes to dental care. In-network dentists have been certified by your benefits carrier and have agreed to reduced fees that save patients 20 to 40 percent on average. 4. Lifetime […]
Top 10 Common Dental Insurance Terms Explained
You might have heard these words and phrases before, but if you aren’t sure what they mean, you could be misunderstanding what your dental benefits plan covers. Brush up on your dental insurance knowledge to ensure you’re ready to make informed decisions the next time you come across these terms. 1. Claim: A form requesting payment that is sent to your benefits carrier by you or your dentist after a procedure based on your benefits plan. In-network dental offices usually submit them for you, but you might need to send the form yourself if you seek care from an out-of-network dentist. 2. Claim appeal: If your benefits carrier rejects a claim, you have the opportunity to state your case as to why the procedure should be covered. This takes the form of a claim appeal that your dentist will send to the benefits carrier. 3. Co-insurance: The percentage of the […]
Dental cleanings explained
Even with good at-home oral health routines, going to the dentist for regular cleanings is an essential part of keeping your smile healthy. Visiting the dentist for preventive care can also help avoid the need for more costly oral health procedures. What happens during a dental cleaning? Trained dental hygienists use tools to clean your gums and teeth professionally. They check for signs of gingivitis (inflamed gums) and cavities and make note of any problem areas for the dentist to examine. As part of a dental cleaning, a scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar around your gum line. Scraping sounds are normal, but let your hygienist know if you are uncomfortable or feel pain. While flossing and brushing can keep plaque from hardening and becoming tartar, it can only be removed during a dental cleaning. If your hygienist spends a long time cleaning your teeth, they might encourage […]
