What are the best dental insurance plans?

Dental insurance is a form of private health insurance that is used to cover a good portion of dental costs for you or your family.

It covers problems related to teeth and gums, as well as preventive care such as annual cleanings.

However, family dental insurance can be more advantageous than individual dental insurance. By grouping all family members on a single plan, the price per person is considerably reduced.

Dental insurance coverages help many people cost-effectively budget the cost of maintaining a beautiful smile.

Here is how dental insurance works.

• First, you select a dental plan based on your needs. The chosen plan can be individual or family.
• Then, you pay your insurance policy with a monthly premium and you receive protection for some of your medical expenses.

Monthly premiums will depend on the insurance company, your location and the plan you choose.

Dental policies are contracts between you and an insurance company. Most policies are simple and specific regarding the procedures covered and the exact amount you must pay out of pocket.

Dental insurance is available as part of medical insurance plans, but rarely as a standalone policy.

The price of dental insurance varies according to the treatments covered, the maximum amount reimbursed, the type of coverage, the age of the insured, and the current offer of insurers.

The average cost of dental care can vary greatly from city to city. For example, cleaning can cost $75 in Shawinigan compared to nearly $190 in Montreal.

You agree to pay an annual or monthly fee called a dental insurance premium, and the company agrees to pay the benefits that are insured under the policy.

For many people, the monthly premium for men starts from $47.26 per month. While for women, the monthly price starts from $57.61 per month.

Most policies do not cover all medical costs, and sometimes we have to pay the annual deductible. You may have to pay part of the medical costs for yourself and your dependents.

There are many types of dental insurance plans, but they all share a common goal: to help you pay for the cost of dental care.

Some plans are designed for people who don't have dental insurance, while others are for people who already have coverage.

The dental insurance plans are:

• Individual dental insurance plans;
• Group dental insurance plans;
• Government dental insurance plans (RAMQ).

Individual dental insurance plans are designed for people who do not have dental insurance through their employer or who are self-employed. These plans typically offer a variety of dental coverage options, including preventative care, major dental procedures, and orthodontics.

Group dental insurance plans are offered by employers to their employees.

All insurance companies offer coverage for complementary illnesses, drugs not covered by RAMQ, dental care, travel insurance, professional services and more. Yet, their dental plans offer 3 combination plans, Basic Dental and Extended Dental.

The important thing is to choose the appropriate diet according to your needs. For example, if you need medication that is not covered by the RAMQ card, and dental work, a combination plan could be a solution for you.

The RAMQ administers the public drug insurance plan, but insurance covering drugs is also offered by private plans.

On the other hand, if you would simply like to have dental insurance protection, basic dental insurance coverage would be offered to you.

You may need dental insurance if you:

• are not eligible for benefits offered through your employer;
• are self-employed'
• retire;
• lose your protection.

Most dental insurance policies have waiting periods ranging from two to four weeks before standard work can be performed.

Depending on the insurance company, the waiting period for dental insurance or for major care can start from the second year.

These periods are set by insurers to ensure they benefit from a new account and to discourage people from applying for a new policy to cover impending proceedings.

Oral health and regular visits to the dentist are integral to overall good health. These visits help keep your teeth healthy, which affects your overall health.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends a visit every six months. Many Quebecers do not respect this recommendation and they do not have coverage for dental care.

Oral problems such as cavities or gingivitis can be very bothersome. They can also get worse and lead to repeated infections, hence the importance of having your teeth checked by a dentist.

At every stage of your life, the health of your mouth is important. Eliminating plaque and tartar, detecting problems early and paying particular attention to your oral health are other important reasons for these visits. Children and adults should visit the dentist regularly in order to get proper care.

Before deciding if you need dental insurance, you need to know what kind of services the Régie de l'Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ) covers.

Basic services covered include the following:

• Visits to the doctor;
• Hospital visits and stays;
• Travel for health care for residents of Quebec

In general, the RAMQ card does not cover the following:

• Prescription drugs prescribed in a non-hospital setting, including antibiotics, pain relievers and certain drugs to treat cancer;
• Specific non-emergency medical services, including those of a chiropractor or massage therapist;
• Single or double bed hospital rooms;
• Certain medical examinations, tests and vaccinations;
• Dental care

You can take out dental insurance with the following intermediaries:

• An insurance broker licensed in Quebec by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF)
• An insurance company licensed in Quebec by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF)

For more information on the best coverage and purchasing dental insurance, complete the “Calculate the Premium” form.

In order to choose the best private dental insurance, it is important for the subscriber to assess his real needs in this area.

Most insurers offers at least basic dental coverage. Some plans only pay for preventive care, while others have more extensive coverage.

In some dental insurances cleanings, X-rays, crowns, dental extractions, dental prostheses, gum treatments, etc. are included.

However, cosmetic procedures, such as tooth whitening or cosmetic orthodontics, are not.

You will be able to determine which private dental insurance best meets your oral health needs by consulting your dental treatment plan submitted by your dentist and the estimated cost of your dental expenses.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Coverage: What does the plan cover? Basic plans might only cover preventive care like cleanings and x-rays. More comprehensive plans could cover fillings, crowns, root canals, and orthodontics.

2. Cost: Understand the premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and any maximum annual limits. Some plans might have a low monthly premium but a high deductible or vice-versa.

3. Network: Is your preferred dentist or clinic in the plan’s network? PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans usually allow you to see any dentist, but you might pay less if you see a dentist within their network. HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans require you to see dentists within their network for full coverage.

4. Waiting periods: Some plans might make you wait a certain period before you can get certain procedures covered.

5. Customer service: It can be invaluable to have a reliable and efficient customer service team to answer questions and address issues.

6. Extras: Some plans might offer perks like vision coverage, discounts on orthodontics, or coverage for cosmetic dentistry.

7. Reviews and Ratings: It's always helpful to see what other consumers have said about a particular insurance provider or plan. Sites like consumer-focused review sites can give insights into customer satisfaction and complaints.

8. Limitations: Some plans might have limitations on how often certain procedures can be done. For example, getting a cleaning twice a year or a set limit on orthodontic treatment.

9. Exclusions: Understand what isn't covered by the plan, as this could result in unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

10. Flexibility: Can you change your coverage or add family members to the plan with ease?

When you're in the market for combined health and dental insurance, finding the optimal fit will hinge on several variables, such as individual health needs, budgetary constraints, and specific preferences.

Here are the aspects you should weigh when making your decision:

1. Scope of Benefits: First and foremost, you should ascertain the extent of coverage both on the medical and dental fronts. Does the plan encompass routine medical check-ups, surgeries, medication, and emergency care? On the dental side, does it cater to regular cleanings, fillings, complex surgeries, or braces?

2. Affordability: Investigate the financial aspects – monthly premiums, out-of-pocket maximums, deductibles, and co-payment amounts. Sometimes, consolidating health and dental coverage under one provider might be more cost-effective, but it's crucial to scrutinize the specifics.

3. Provider Network: Look into the insurer's network of healthcare and dental professionals. Ensure your preferred doctors and dentists are in-network, and note if you need referrals for certain specialists.

4. Value-added Services: Some packages might throw in perks like eye care coverage, wellness check-ups at no extra cost, or discounts on fitness programs.

5. Duration Before Benefits Kick In: As with many dental plans, there might be a lapse period before you can utilize certain benefits, especially for major dental work.

6. Company Reputation: Do some digging into the insurer's track record. Platforms like the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) can provide consumer reviews and any red flags.

7. Customer Support: A responsive and helpful customer service team can be a lifeline when navigating health or dental concerns.

8. Policy Restrictions: Delve into any restrictions or caps on services, as well as any services that aren't covered.

9. Adaptability: Ensure the policy offers the latitude to adjust coverage or include additional family members if your circumstances change.

Reimbursement depends on the insurance company and the coverage chosen. In most cases, a good part of dental care is reimbursed and it must appear on the list of procedures and services reimbursable by Health Insurance.

Here are some services covered by insurers:

• Reimbursement of expenses not covered by the RAMQ card, such as those relating to dental care, medication and professional fees, and vision care;
• Automatic routing of certain dental claims;
• Possibility of paying for your protection by pre-authorized debit.

Choose between four types of protection:

• Individual
• Couple
• Family
• Single parent

To be eligible for free dental care, you must have been a recipient of the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program for at least 12 months, without interruption.

The Temporary Reimbursement Program for Certain Dental Services, Canada Dental Benefits, Project Mouth B Dental Insurance, dental clinics in faculties of dentistry are other ways to get a dentist for free.

The RAMQ administers the health insurance plan. Those who are eligible and enrolled in the plan can benefit from various covered health services.

You could be eligible for health insurance if you settle, live or stay in Québec. In addition, you must respect the rules of presence in Quebec to remain eligible.

The services covered by the health insurance plan are paid for by the RAMQ when they are rendered to the insured persons. No fees may be charged for these services by health professionals participating in the plan.

Dental care for oral surgery in a hospital setting is free for all beneficiaries of the RAMQ plan who present a valid health insurance card. This also includes related examinations, local or general anesthesia and x-rays.

On the website of the Order of Dentists of Quebec (ODQ), the following examples can be found regarding the services covered by the Régie:

• bone graft
• drainage of an abscess
• removal of a cyst or tumor
• reduction of a fracture
• laceration repair
• jaw repositioning
• treatment of inflammation of a bone
• jaw joint treatment
• treatment of the salivary glands

However, tooth and root extraction services are not covered.

Dental care is covered by the RAMQ (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec) for:

• children aged 9 or under, with a sun card allowing them to benefit from health insurance
  children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 attached to their parents receiving a social benefit
  social assistance recipients with a valid dental record.
• First Nations and Inuit people are eligible for the Uninsured Health Benefits (NIHB) program provided they meet certain criteria. Only certain dentists, however, accept reimbursements made by the NIHB program

Persons residing in Quebec who are not eligible for the RAMQ plan are:

• people who already have private health insurance covering dental care, through their employment, that of their spouse or by voluntary subscription to dental insurance.
• residents of Quebec who are not covered by RAMQ or private insurance.

The public prescription drug insurance plan covers more than 8,000 drugs. The medications and the conditions of coverage are presented in the List of medications of the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec, which is updated regularly.

There are certain conditions for the drug to be covered:

• You must have purchased the drug in Quebec;
• The drug must be present in the list of covered drugs;
• The drug must have been prescribed by a doctor or health care professional;
• Medicines sold at the lowest price (ex: coverage of the cheaper generic copy instead of the brand name medicine)