Find the Best Dental Insurance in Cleveland, OH

How to choose dental insurance in Cleveland

Dental insurance provides financial protection if you need expensive services, like a root canal or crown. It also covers all or most of the price of preventive services, such as regular exams and cleanings and X-rays.

Most Americans who have dental coverage get it through an employer, but millions of consumers buy individual plans. If you’ve had health insurance, the way dental insurance works will be familiar:

• You pay a monthly premium.
• You will have access to a network of dentists or, in some cases, any dentist you choose.
• You may have a deductible and copay/coinsurance obligations.
• The policy may have an annual maximum benefit.

Dental insurance in Cleveland usually falls into one of three categories: PPO, HMO or indemnity plans. Each differs in its costs for various services, flexibility to visit different dentists and other features.

• PPO plans encourage you to visit an in-network dentist. In return, you pay lower coinsurance. PPOs usually have a deductible and an annual maximum.
• HMO plans limit coverage to a limited network of dentists and have the lowest premiums. You make a copayment for each dental service; no deductibles or maximums apply.
• Indemnity plans offer the most freedom to choose a dentist but have the highest premiums. You pay coinsurance (usually in higher amounts than with a PPO). Indemnity plans usually have a small deductible and an annual maximum.

When choosing dental insurance in Cleveland, be aware that there’s often a waiting period for some services after you sign up. These periods can be as long as 12 months for major services. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to wait until you have a problem to get covered.

An alternative to dental insurance — with minimal or no waiting period — is a dental savings plan. You pay an annual fee to become a member and get discounted rates on services at a network of providers. There is no claims process; members pay out of pocket at the time of the dental visit.

Consumers in Cleveland have found both dental insurance and dental savings plans to be good choices. Be sure you understand the benefits of both and make an educated decision based on your budget and individual circumstances. Don’t forget: If you have a preferred dentist, check if he or she is part of the plan’s network before signing up.