When shopping out dental PPO’s and Indemnity insurance plans you will want to know if there are any waiting period on dental services? Most people that obtain dental benefits are eager to begin using them and take care of issues that have been plaguing them for a while.

However, pay close attention to the “plan limitation” section of these policies. It is not uncommon to find waiting periods of 6 months for basic restorative work such as fillings, and waiting periods of 12 months for major services such as crowns, endodontics and oral surgery.

A plan with waiting periods may not be very beneficial to someone with urgent and comprehensive treatment needs. At that point you may want to review other insurance options such as HMO’s dental insurance plans that will not normally have any waiting periods for services covered under the plan.

Careington dental plan is also known as Careington International offers dental individual plan, dental family plan and dental group individual, dental group family and group plan vision. Careington dental plan is a well known and widely trusted name when it comes to dental insurances and plans. Careington dental plan, today, is much sought after for its quality services in dental care.Careington Dental Plan: Includes x-rays, exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures, oral surgery, children dentistry, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, and more. Over 7 million members join the Careington Dental Plan.

CAREINGTON was among the first to offer quality dental plans at a discount, we have had years to develop an extensive provider panel, with over 35,000 participating dentists. Immediate access available to the Careington dental plan You can include your parents and other family members under certain conditions.   Save 20% to 60% on most dental procedures including routine oral exams, unlimited cleanings, and major work such as dentures, root canals and crowns. The CAREINGTON dental plan is backed by our SATISFACTION GUARANTEE. We have carefully selected the combined Careington Dental Plan and EyeMed Vision Care, two of the nations largest and best providers in their area of specialty.

When shopping out dental PPO’s and Indemnity insurance plans you will want to know the level of coverage’s the plan is offering. Usually dental insurance benefits are broken down into four categories:

* Class I or Preventive Care: Under preventive services you will normally see basic cleanings, exams and x-rays and space maintainers

* Class II or Basic: Under basic services you will normally see fillings and  recementation of crowns or bridges

* Class III or Major: Under Major dental service you will normally see Oral Surgery, Endodontic Treatment of Disease, Periodontic Services, Crowns, Denture and Bridge Repair

* Class IV Orthodontics – If provided. Note:  not all PPO’s or Indemnity dental insurance plans cover for Orthodontic services. If they do note any age restrictions as often time it will only cover children up to age 19

Typically, these plans will cover Class I at around 80/100%, Class II at 80%, and Class III at 50%. Orthodontics are not always covered, but when it is, the coinsurance is usually 50% up to a certain lifetime maximum.

Normally payment is based on the company’s UCR (usual, customary and reasonable) fees. These fees vary amongst each insurance company and may not always match up to a provider’s fee schedule, especially if you choose to go outside the plan network of providers.

Remember coverage’s will very depending on each plan some plans if a first second and third year schedule increasing your benefits the longer you have the plan.  Make sure to read each plans terms and conditions carefully so you buy the plan that best fits your dental care needs.

My baby daughter’s teeth are just coming in but they look a yellowish color and this starting to concerns me. My daughter has six teeth and I have started brushing her teeth everyday but the yellow does not seem to be going away.  Should I be taking her in to see a dentist about her teeth color

Answer: Even baby teeth do not always come out sparking white. However it is defiantly  a good idea to see your dentist why you have any type of dental concerns as only a dentist will be able to directly address your concerns

When shopping for PPO or Free choice of provider insurance plans make sure you know what the plan maximum limitation is.  A maximum limitation should not be confused with medical insurance out-of-pocket maximums, where once a patient has paid a certain dollar amount during the year, insurance kicks in and pays the rest in full.

For dental insurance, a maximum limitation is the total amount that insurance company will pay out during the year per person. Any remaining balance becomes an out-of-pocket expense to the patient. Dental maximums limitation are commonly around $1000 to $2000 per year. Though that will very depending on the plan and it terms and conditions.

My current dental insurance denied coverage for  me to have a night guards.  I grind my teeth when I sleep and the dentist advising me to wear one.  However their cost for night guards without my insurance help is $400.00  I see teeth night guards on line for around $25.00 – $50.00  I know they are not custom fitted but will they work just the same.  I not going to spend $400.00 since that is just to much for me right now.

Answer:  Why not talk to your dentist or if spending $25 – $50 to give it a try is okay then why not see if they work for you. Everyone mouth is different so over the counter products work differently depending on the person.

Question: My dentist is a provider of any of the Delta Dental of California plans. What I want to know is the Maximum Limitation the amount I have to pay or what the company pays?

Answer: A maximum limitation is the dollar amount that the insurance company will pay for dental claims made in a given year.

Here is a quick summary of what you need to know about dental, your rights, and how cost sharing works on dental plans:

* A child must be offered dental, but you don’t have to take it.

* If you have dental coverage through the Marketplace it will typically have a maximum of $700 for a child or $1,400 for a family.

* Adults don’t have to be offered dental. However, many Marketplace plans offer dental as part of the plan, or as a standalone. You can’t cancel dental that is part of your plan, so keep this in mind.

* If dental is part of your plan, you can still use cost assistance to lower your plan costs.

* Even with cost assistance, when you reach the maximum,you typically pay 100% of the costs for dental work. This is the opposite of health insurance under the ACA where you pay 0% after your maximum. So don’t be confused by that.

* Oral surgery may be covered by medical insurance in some specific cases, but generally it doesn’t cover non-medically necessary procedures.

* Dental works best for routine care, it is uncommon to find any insurance that covers major dental work past a certain dollar amount. (“The Dental Gap”?)

Question: Can I get a Dental discount plan for just my six year old son?

Answer: With our dental discount plans thought Careington and Aetna yes you can buy the plan just for your son.

Question: Do minors have access to dental insurance in California without having to have an adult on the plan?

Answer: Some dental insurance plans will write a policy on just a minor but it does depend on the plan. Such as our California dental and our StandardLife Dental plans will write a minor only.   You may also want to review our dental discount plan options though Careington and Aetna as they too will let you have their plan for just a minor.

Question: Looking for the best lowest cost insurance plan for a couple. What do you suggest?

Answer: For lower cost insurance plan I would suggest looking out our HMO dental insurance plans though PrimeCare and California Dental. Their cost rage as low as $12.00 a month and as high as $29.00 a month. If you have any questions about any of of dental insurance plan options in California, please call member services at 310-534-3444

Question: What is the best dental insurance in CA?  I do not know much about dental insurance but don’t want to spend a lot of time looking into getting a plan just need something for basic checks up and cleaning’s anyway.

Answer:  We often get this question asked to us but really the best depends on your own dental needs. Our member services (310-534-3444) can help you with all our dental insurance plan options and help you best choose a plan that fits your current dental needs.

In California our website offers over 40 dental insurance options for your review. A Few of the dental insurance options we provide would be though Delta Dental. Many people who are looking for a PPO or free choice of provider plan may find that Delta Dental fits their needs since often times their dentist is a provider of most Delta Dental plans.  Review your plan options just by entering your zip code in the quote box provided on our website. If you should have any questions about any of our dental insurance plans please call our member services at 310-534-3444 as we will be happy to help you find the best plan for your dental care needs.

Generally cost assistance only applies to major medical coverage and not dental plans. However if you get a marketplace plan that includes dental insurance, it will only have one premium which Premium Tax credits can be applied to. You cannot apply Tax Credits to a stand-alone dental plan.

Question: I looking for an individual dental insurance plan for my minor son. Preferable a PPO insurance plan so he can keep is current dentist.

Answer: There are very few insurance companies that will let you buy a individual dental insurance plan for a minor.  However, we do have one PPO insurance though StandardLife dental that well accept a parent buying an individual dental insurance plan for their minor child. To review our StandardLife Dental insurance plans just enter your zip code in the quote box provide on our website.

Question: I have not been to the dentist since I was on my parents dental insurance plan, which has been some time now.  I know I need dental work.  I am not in any major pain or anything I just know that my teeth are not in good shape. I am not sure if I should get a dental insurance plan with its waiting period and yearly max limitations and do my dental services a little at a time. Or go for a dental discount plan for the dental saving and get my dental work done all at once.  Which way in the long run would be cheaper?

Answer: It is a personal choice for you to make. As you know with most PPO plans you will have waiting periods and maxim limitations to deal with.  As long as you fully understand the plans terms and conditions PPO plans are great dental insurance plans to stay with or choose your own dental provider.  However, you may want to review a discount plan option if you do not want to have to wait for dental services. Also think in the long run when you have a lot of major dental services needed waiting for coverage’s to begin may not be the best option for your oral health

Question: Do to a job change I no longer have dental insurance.  It is very important that I maintain dental insurance for my health care.  I have diabetes and because of my diabetes I have on and off again problems with my teeth.

I have problems mostly with my gums but I also get many cavities due to being a diabetic.  I have to see my dentist every three months just so I can keep my teeth in good shape.  So I would like to know if getting dental insurance is going to be a problem with having diabetes?

Also I do not want to change dentist since mine knows about my diabetes and I like the way he takes care of me.  I do not know where to look for dental insurance and I want to make sure I will be covered for my future dental needs.

Answer: Most dental insurance plans do not exclude for pre-existing. You being diabetic and having dental care under the plan should not be an issue.  However just read terms and conditions of the plans you are viewing. Most dental insurance will not cover work in progress which is not what you have.

The other factor you mention was about keeping your current dentist. I would suggest calling your dental office up and finding out what plans they are a provider of. This will save you from reviewing plans they they do not accept. If you have to buy a PPO or Indemnity dental insurance plan in order to stay with your current dentist then make sure you carefully read the plans term and conditions, since these types of plans will normally have waiting periods and maximum limitations that may effect your current dental care needs.

We have posted several post about how your oral health can effect your overall health care. Many studies show a high correlation between heart attack, stroke, diabetes, bone loss and lung disease and your oral health.   Take your oral health seriously, have good at home dental habits, see a dentist at least twice a year or as advise by your dentist, and have dental insurance to help keep your dental care cost low. People that have dental insurance are more likely to make and keep their dental appointments.

Not taking care of your teeth impacts more than your oral health, however. Studies have linked bad dental care to a variety of poor, or even deadly, health outcomes. In prior post we talked about many of these links and how they effect you.

Don’t put of your dental care needs due to cost.  We offer many different dental insurance plan options for your review. From dental insurance plans that let you stay with your current dentist to lower cost dental insurance plans that are budget friendly. Get your free quote today just by entering your zip code in the quote box provided.

Your health is greatly effected by your oral health. Therefore it is important to maintain your dental health by having your Periodic oral evaluation at least twice a year at your dentist.  If you have dental insurance under most plans this type of service falls under preventive care and is little to no cost to you.