How Does United Concordia Dental Insurance Work?
Dental insurance, much like health insurance, provides benefits that can help lower the cost of your dental treatment. Dental insurance plans are not the same, so it is important to understand the benefits before you start shopping for a plan.
Do You Have a Choice of Plans?
During the open enrollment period, you will be able to choose from the plans your employer offers. That might mean choosing either a Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan.
How Do You Find the Network and Plan You are on?
Your ID card will show which network you are on as well as the name of your plan. If you have created an online account with Concordia Dental, you can view your digital ID card, as well as your network and plan information. You simply log in to MyDentalBenefits.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Like your health insurance, dental insurance shares the costs of dental care in exchange for a premium you pay. You might also have to pay deductibles, copays, and other costs, but these details will vary from plan to plan. Here are some common terms of dental insurance plans:
- Premiums- A premium is what you pay Concordia for coverage. Premiums are usually monthly, but some might collect them annually. A typical premium could be $20 to $50 a month for you or $50 to $150 a month for your family, based on the type of coverage.
- Deductible- A deductible is what you pay toward certain dental expenses before your insurance kicks in. If you have a $1,000 deductible, you pay the first $1,000 of covered services and then a fixed amount for covered services after the deductible is met. Deductibles reset after 12 months.
- Coinsurance- Coinsurance is a payment you might be responsible for after you have met your deductible. If your dental plan pays 70% of the cost, your coinsurance is the remaining 30%.
- Annual coverage maximum- An annual maximum is the limit your Concordia dental insurance will pay toward the cost of dental treatment in a plan year. If your annual maximum is $2,000 and your plan has already paid $2,000 in the first six months, you will be responsible for 100% of the costs for the remaining six months.
- In-network vs. out-of-network- A network is a group of dentists who have agreed to provide care based on Concordia’s terms and conditions. If you choose an in-network dentist, you will pay less for treatment. If you choose an out-of-network dentist, you might pay higher deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
- Reimbursement- An insurance reimbursement is the money Concordia pays to a dentist to cover the services provided. The payment occurs after you receive service.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
There are three categories of dental insurance: preventive, basic, and major. Many dental plans take the 100-80-50 approach to coverage, with preventive care covered at 100%, basic care covered at 80% and major care covered at 50%:
- Preventive care- Preventive care tries to prevent normal wear, gum disease, and tooth loss. Routine visits allow your dentist to examine your mouth, jaw, and neck to identify any issues and treat them early. Common preventive care services include bi-annual cleanings, oral screenings, and X-rays.
- Basic care- Basic care treats minor damage that has happened, like toothaches and gum issues. Common services covered under basic care are fillings, tooth extractions, root canals, and gum disease treatment.
- Major care- Complex dental work, including surgical procedures, is classified as major dental care. These services range from crowns and implants to dentures and oral surgery.
Related Article: Why Choose United Concordia Dental?