Find the Best Dental Insurance in Indianapolis, IN

How to choose dental insurance in Indianapolis

Oral health and overall well-being are closely connected, but dental care is expensive. To lower out-of-pocket costs, many people buy dental insurance.

With dental insurance in Indianapolis, you pay little to nothing for preventive care, which includes regular visits for checkups, cleanings and X-rays. Dental insurance also gives you financial protection in case you need treatment for tooth decay, gum disease or other conditions.

Here’s a list of what dental insurance commonly does and doesn’t cover.

When choosing dental insurance in Indianapolis, ask these questions to find the right plan:

• What dentists can I visit? Plans differ in their networks of providers. A preferred provider organization (PPO) plan gives you more benefits if you visit an in-network dentist. An indemnity plan lets you see any dentist. A dental health maintenance organization plan (DHMO) covers you only if you stay in network.
• How much do I pay out of pocket? Most plans require you to pay very little or nothing out of pocket for preventive care. In a PPO or indemnity plan, you may have a deductible to meet and then and pay coinsurance (a percentage of the cost of a covered service). A DHMO plan requires fixed payment amounts based on the service.
• Is there an annual maximum benefit? Unlike health insurance, dental insurance plans may have a cap on yearly benefits. The amount usually ranges from $1,000 - $3,000.
• Are there waiting periods? Benefits for nonpreventive care may not begin until waiting period(s) have passed. Different waiting periods often apply to different classes of services. They range from six to 12 months or longer.

You can also consider a dental savings plan, which is different from health insurance. By becoming a member, you get discounts of up to 60 percent within a large network of dentists. Dental savings plans cost less than dental insurance, but there is no cost-sharing; you are responsible for 100 percent of the bill.

How much is dental insurance in Indianapolis?

Several factors determine the cost of dental insurance in Indianapolis:

• Age
• Tobacco use
• Type of plan/level of coverage
• Whether the policy is for one person or multiple people

An individual plan for a 40-year-old who doesn’t use tobacco costs $15 - $50 per month, on average. A family of four pays between $50 and $170 monthly. Dental savings plans start at $100 annually for an individual and $150 for a family.

Whether you choose dental insurance for more comprehensive coverage or a dental savings plan for cash discounts, be sure to read over the terms carefully before signing up. If there are parts you don’t understand, ask company representatives.