How Does United Concordia Dental Insurance Work?
Dental insurance, like health insurance, provides benefits that help lower the cost of your dental treatment. Dental insurance plans are indeed all different, so it is essential to understand the benefits you really need before you start searching for a plan.
Do You Have a Choice of Plans?
During the open enrollment period, you will choose from the plans that your employer offers. That means choosing from 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 confirms which network you are enrolled in and the title of your plan. If you have an established online account with Concordia Dental, you may easily 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, your dental insurance shares the cost of your dental care in exchange for a premium. You might have to pay deductibles, copays, and other costs, but these items vary from plan to plan. Here are common terms of dental insurance plans:
- Premiums- A premium is an initial charge you pay Concordia for your coverage. Premiums are usually monthly, but could be semiannually or annually. A common premium may be $20 to $50 a month for you or $50 to $150 a month for your entire family, based on your coverage.
- Deductible- A deductible is a charge you pay toward a certain dental expense before your coverage kicks in. If you have a $1,000 deductible, you pay the first $1,000, then an established amount for services covered once you have met your deductible. Deductibles reset every 12 months.
- Coinsurance- Coinsurance is a payment after your deductible. If your dental plan covers 70% of the cost, your coinsurance will be the balance of 30%.
- Annual coverage maximum- An annual maximum is the limit your Concordia dental insurance pays for dental treatment costs in your plan year. If your maximum is $2,000 and your plan has already paid $2,000 in the first six months, you are now responsible for 100% of dental costs for the remainder of the year.
- In-network vs. out-of-network- Dentists who are in-network have agreed to provide care on Concordiaā€™s terms and conditions. You pay less for in-network treatment. If you choose a dentist out-of-network, you will pay higher deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
- Reimbursement- An insurance reimbursement is Concordia paying the dentist for services provided. This payment is after you receive treatment.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
There are three categories of dental insurance, which are preventive, basic, and major. Many dental plans quite often take the 100-80-50 approach, covering preventive at 100%, basic care at 80%, and major care at 50%:
- Preventive Care- Preventive care is the actions taken to prevent normal wear, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Routine proactive appointments allow your dental team to examine your mouth, jaw, and neck to identify if there are issues and to provide preliminary treatment. Common preventive care services include bi-annual cleanings, X-rays, and oral screenings.
- Basic Care- Basic care is the treatment of minor or medium damage, such as a toothache or gum problems. Common procedures covered under basic care are dental fillings, gum disease treatment, root canals, and tooth extractions.
- Major Care- Complex dental work, including surgical procedures, is considered major dental care. These treatments can range from dental crowns and dental implants to oral surgery and dentures.