Which Plan to Choose

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2006
Which Plan to Choose
8
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 3:15pm

Ok I currently don't have dental insurance. Our benefit enrollment at work is starting soon and there are a couple of choices for dental plans. I need help figuring out which one to choose. On both of these plans you choose the dentist you want to see (as if I want to see a dentist) and I think they are both pre-tax so that shouldn't affect my choice much, but past that....


High Plan $66 employee plus child per month
Benefit Maximums - Unlimited per lifetime while covered under the Plan
Preventive, Basic and Major Dental Expense Benefit $1500 per Plan year


Individual Deductible - waived for Preventive Dental otherwise $50 per Plan year


Family Deductible - (three family members) $150 per Plan year


Orthodonitic Dental Expense Benefit $1000 per lifetime.
Lifetime maximum of 24 months of interceptive/comprehensive treatment. Available for dependent children up to age 19. Certain limitations apply. Reduced, fixed and pre-set charges for all covered services apply.


Preventive Dental (deductible waived) 100% of reasonable and customary costs
Basic Restoration 80% of reasonable and customary costs
Major Dental 50% of reasonable and customary costs
Late Entrant Provision applies to all Major Services
Orthodontics 50%


OR


Low Plan

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2007
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 3:38pm

I would go with the less expensive plan unless (1)

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2006
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 4:16pm
Do you know if your daughter will need orthodontics?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2006
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 4:57pm

I don't think she'll need braces. I was thinking the cheaper insurance one too. Our worst thing will probably be cavities. I need one of my teeth fixed bad. She says her teeth don't hurt her so I am hoping she is ok in the cavity department.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 5:32pm

I would probably go with the more expensive plan.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2006
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 10:09pm

DD is 12. Her teeth are straight a teeny bit of an overbite but just by a pinch. My teeth well we won't go there. They were destroyed when my ex beat me so bad that time. My jaw was all broken up and my teeth were damaged pretty bad. I can't open my mouth very wide and that's why I don't go to the dentist. By the time the dentist is done I am in extreme jaw pain. I am going to have to go though my back tooth hurts pretty bad.


We sign up for Medical/Dental in May and I believe (I need to check though) that we are covered starting in Aug. Not sure though.


I keep thinking about how this will hit my paycheck, but on the other hand, so will putting a bunch of money toward deductibles and out of pocket expense.


Ugh I hate insurance!


Dana


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2006
Mon, 04-21-2008 - 11:26pm

Oh wow, you and DD have been through too much, so sorry to hear of the brutality. My mom went through that, you are not alone unfortunately.

I think you will eventually love having insurance.

Um, regarding DD and ortho. Your dentist will be able to tell you if she will need ortho. Perhaps you could get your dentist's opinion as to which level of insurance you should get.

Again, I am so sorry for your pain.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2007
Tue, 04-22-2008 - 11:31am

I would go with the first plan. While it's a little more expensive, with seeing the dentist every 6 months, it should pay for itself just with covering 100% of the preventive care.

GL

Kathleen

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2003
Tue, 04-22-2008 - 12:14pm
If you currently have a dentist and have regularly taken your daughter for bi-annual check ups you have a fairly good idea what kind of work you will be facing over the next 5 years or so.