Best Dental Insurance with No Waiting Period

Finding dental insurance that will allow you to start receiving your benefits right away and won’t put a big dent in your wallet can be quite challenging. But with a vast offer of dental insurance and dental discount plan providers out there, you can still find an option that will suit your unique needs if you do your homework right. 

To help you with that, we’ll explain what is the waiting period, as well as the main advantages of having dental insurance without one, so keep reading.

What Is a Waiting Period?

To prevent people from dropping insurance plans once they’re done with the major procedure they need at a certain moment, insurance companies came up with waiting periods. They usually last anywhere between 6 to 12 months, and the period length is directly related to the type of procedure in question. Usually, there is no waiting period for basic dental care services, a short waiting period exists for some more complex services, and the longest waiting period is reserved for the most complex procedures. 

Waiting periods also affect coverage levels. For instance, some companies will offer 70% coverage during the first year of insurance, 80% of coverage during the second year, and 100% of coverage during the third year – for the same type of service.

How Are Dental Procedures Categorized?

The majority of dental insurance providers categorize dental procedures based on their complexity. That said, the first category usually includes preventive dental care treatments such as dental cleanings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and routine oral exams.

The second category is typically reserved for basic restorative dentistry services, like dental fillings and root canals. 

The third category combines advanced restorative procedures including crowns, bridges, and dentures. 

We’ve mentioned this because the majority of dental insurance companies operate under the “100-80-50” model, meaning they will cover 100% rate for the first category services, 80% for the second category, and 50% for the third category. While the first category dental services usually don’t require waiting periods, you will probably have to wait for a year before receiving coverage from the third category type of service.

The Upsides of No Waiting Period

As you can assume, the best thing about having insurance with no waiting period is that you can get the type of service you need, well, immediately. If, on the other hand, you delay your dental appointments because you have to wait, you can experience more serious complications down the road. 

If you have dental insurance with a waiting period, you can still get the type of dental service you need at the moment, but you’ll have to cover the entire cost of the procedure. This means that opting for dental insurance with no waiting period could actually help you save money in the future. If you decide to treat your problem right away, chances are you will need less advanced procedures in the future. 

How Dental Insurance Providers Treat the Pre-Existing Conditions?

The majority of dental insurance providers have a certain policy regarding dental health problems that exist at the time you sign up for their services. For instance, they will cover minor pre-existing conditions such as cavities, but won’t offer coverage for anything more serious than that. Moreover, they will either impose a waiting period for those conditions or won’t offer any type of coverage for them whatsoever.

Dental Discount Plans

You can also pick an affordable dental discount plan if you wish to avoid waiting periods that are often associated with traditional dental insurance plans. If you choose a dental discount plan, you will have to pay a monthly fee, which is similar to a premium when you have a dental insurance plan. This will provide you with easy access to different discounted dental services in your area. This means that you will be able to use any of these services immediately and at significantly lowered prices.

The Takeaways

Finding dental insurance with no waiting period or a dental discount plan that suits your needs and budget can be a daunting task indeed. However, having dental insurance or a plan of your choice can prove to be a real lifesaver, especially in terms of the prevention of some more serious oral health problems in the future. Nowadays, there are many options available out there, and regardless of whether you decide to opt for dental insurance or a dental discount plan, you’re bound to find a type of insurance that is best for you or your family.

Have you managed to find dental insurance or a dental plan with no waiting period on your own? If the answer is yes, please share your experience in the comment section below!