Do you have a medical and dental insurance plan? If so, you might wonder why you need both. These two types of policies cover very separate things in most cases, and they come with varying sets of rules and regulations. What are some of the major differences between medical and dental insurance? This blog post explains some key points.
What Do They Cover?
Medical insurance is all about supporting your head-to-toe wellness. It applies to preventive services from your primary care practitioner, as well as treatments for a broad range of health conditions. However, it does not provide coverage for basic dental services, such as preventive checkups and cleanings, fillings, crowns, and other routine treatments.
Dental insurance, on the other hand, is exclusively for supporting the health of your oral tissues, primarily your teeth and gums. It tends to provide a high level of coverage for things like cleanings, exams, and X-rays. It can also greatly reduce your out-of-pocket financial obligation for restorative services, including those that are used to address gum disease and dental decay.
In certain cases, there is a degree of overlap between dental and medical insurance. For example, they might both apply to some types of oral surgeries.
Why Are They Separate?
On the surface, it might seem strange that dental and medical insurance are separate policies. After all, they are both vital for your overall wellness! The separation is due to the simple fact that, traditionally, physicians and dentists have been regarded as playing vastly different roles. In fact, dental insurance did not even exist until about 100 years after the invention of medical insurance!
Getting the Most out of Your Coverage
To maintain your health, you should use both your medical and dental policies. Here is how you can get the most out of your benefits:
- Familiarize yourself with the details of each policy. You may be subject to deductibles, waiting periods, and other stipulations. Dental plans usually have an annual maximum that places a limit on how much the insurance company will pay within a calendar year.
- Keep up with preventive care. Your dental insurance likely covers two preventive checkups and cleanings every year. Attending these appointments can allow your dentist to diagnose problems early on and help you save money on restorative services.
- Know about network status. PPO insurance usually allows policyholders to visit any care provider. However, total out-of-pocket fees may be lower at in-network practices. Regardless of which type of doctor you visit, be sure to find out if you can use your insurance when you visit them.
Dental and medical insurance are both important! Learn about your coverage so you can protect your health and your budget.
Meet the Practice
At the Center for Contemporary Dentistry, our team provides many oral health services in a modern, inviting environment. We welcome dental insurance and accept more than 200 different plans. To learn how we can help you get the most out of your policy, get in touch with our Belmont, NH, office at 603-556-7047.