Private Dental Insurance Plans in the UK

Private Dental Insurance Plans in the UK
by George McGonigal

Lets go back to post war Britain when a marvelous creation called the National Health Service (NHS) was born. There was nothing else in the world to rival it and it was the envy of many other nations - truly free healthcare for all citizens of the nation paid for by people's income taxes and national insurance contributions. Dental treatments and regular preventative dental check ups were part of this service.

Fast-forward to modern day Britain and we have an NHS under significant financial pressures due to reduced budgets and an increasing population to treat, so it's not surprising that the government expects citizens to contribute towards the cost of the more routine services such as dental check ups and surgeries. Add to the mix the fact that Dentists, who run their own surgeries privately, are in dispute with the government about how they get paid for carrying out NHS dental work and we begin to see how it has become so difficult to get registered as an NHS patient at a dental practice today.

Patients are now expected to contribute sometimes up to 50% of the cost of their NHS treatment and as this has become more expensive, coupled with the fact that NHS dentists are hard to get registered with, more and more people are seeking private dental insurance plans to meet the bills.

It is important to differentiate between "private dental insurance" and a "dental insurance plan". Private Dental insurance is exactly that, a policy that provides payment for the full cost of any and all treatment required either at a private dentistry practice or private dental hospital. Often such policies are part of a wider health insurance scheme provided by some employers. On the other hand a dental plan is typically a "cash-back" scheme where you pay a monthly premium dependent upon the level of cover you want and then claim back a percentage of any treatment costs you incur.

People do need to be careful that they know the difference and that they understand exactly what they are getting for their money before taking out a dental policy. Both types of policies are available to individuals and families in the UK, from an increasing number of providers.

Can I Really Afford Personal Dental Insurance?

Can I Really Afford Personal Dental Insurance?
by Thomas Henricks

Many people simply will not purchase dental insurance because they believe the cost is too high relative to the return they will realize on that expense. For people who take great excellent of their teeth, dental insurance can seem like an unnecessary expense.

This notion is far from good logic though. It is highly probable the recommended checkups alone will eat up most of the cost of a typical insurance plan. You may not require any serious maintenance procedures in the immediate future but research will show that most people require several expensive trips to the dentist throughout their lifetime. The probability of some serious issue increases with age. Very few people can go a lifetime without at least a small cavity and periodic cleanings and checkups are recommended for everyone, including those who maintain rigid personal oral hygiene practices.

Can I Get Insurance Without an Employer's Plan?
It is a well known fact that dental insurance can be rather expensive. If you are self-employed, the costs of personal dental insurance can make the decision about purchase, a very difficult decision to make.

Personal dental insurance will undoubtedly cost you more than a group plan offered through an employer. This is because the cost of insurance offered through an employer is partially paid for by that employer. Therefore the cost is shared between the company and its employees and the employees enjoy lower premiums.

Self-employed people must bear the full cost of the insurance and are forced to either go without dental insurance or to pay high premiums for personal dental insurance. The American Dental Association reports that over half of the American population has no dental insurance. Surprisingly, this includes a number of persons whose employers do offer sponsored plans.

Personal Dental Insurance is Widely Available, and Not as Expensive as you Might Think

The insurance industry has recognized the need for affordable personal dental insurance, and there are now several additional options available to you. The most quick and simple way to find a personal dental insurance plan is by conducting some research via the internet.

If you search for personal dental insurance or private dental insurance, you are going to see a huge number of results returned for that search. You must research carefully. Not all of these websites represent legitimate companies. In addition to that, not all of the legitimate companies will offer a plan that fits your budget.

The best way to avoid illegitimate insurance providers is to look for Company names you are familiar with. That is not to say it is wrong to give a new company a chance at your business. You must first do some research to determine definitely that they are a respectable business.

After you have found some companies that appear to offer the package you need and you have established that they are reputable, you may then proceed to price comparisons. Pricing schemes may be immediately available on the internet or you may be required to submit a request for prices.

A personal dental insurance quote should detail your monthly fees, services covered in full and services which are only partially covered. This will allow you to compare the costs of the plan against an estimate of potential dental fees you may be faced with. It is recommended that you do this comparing cost with several companies.

This research should yield a personal dental insurance provider who can give you the coverage you need at an acceptable price. Unfortunately no dental insurance is cheap. However, the monthly premium will be a Godsend when you need emergency dental work and the cost climbs into the category of several thousands of dollars.

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Types of Insurance: Health Coverages

Types of Insurance: Health Coverages

• Health insurance policies will often cover the cost of private medical treatments if the National Health Service in the UK (NHS) or other publicly-funded health programs do not pay for them. It will often result in quicker health care where better facilities are available.
  

• Dental insurance, like medical insurance, is coverage for individuals to protect them against dental costs. In the U.S., dental insurance is often part of an employer's benefits package, along with health insurance.

Dental: The Perfect Dental Insurance Plan

Dental: The Perfect Dental Insurance Plan
by David Rutstein

You may think that buying a dental insurance plan is as easy as one, two, three, and you may be right there, provided you sink your fangs into the right plan. But, if you crash land on the wrong dental insurance plan, you're in for a severe tongue-lashing. Here are some sparkling white, toothy questions you should ask your dental insurance agent before deciding on the perfect health insurance plan:

1. I am comfortable with a particular dentist. Is he networked in the dental insurance plan you are about to sell me?

2. Okay, I see that my favorite dentist is not networked into the dental insurance plan you are about to sell me. So, can I pay a little extra in order to keep visiting my favorite dentist and keep getting reimbursed by the dental insurance company for his bills?

3. Okay, well, I understand that I cannot see my favorite dentist. But I'm sure I won't miss him so much. Can you now convince me that your new dental plan is networked with quality dentists located at a place convenient to me? (Skip this question if the answer to (2) above is in the affirmative)

4. I understand from various articles posted on the Internet that certain dental insurance companies allow only a cheaper form of treatment for certain dental conditions. Does your dental insurance plan have any restrictions on the methods of treatment my dentist should adopt, or can my dentist and I jointly decide on a method we feel is best, no matter how much it costs?

5. Has the dental insurance company been rated by an approved rating agency or financial institution? Does it have a track record of rejecting claims and/or being unfriendly with its customers? Can you give me couple of references to check?

6. Does the dental insurance plan cover at least two free cleanings in a year?

7. I hope small ticket items such as X-rays, fluoride treatments, etc. come free of charge? Anyway, tell me what are the free services covered by the plan.

8. Will my appointments be scheduled for specific time slots, or, certain days of the week? If so, then give me a plan that has no appointment restrictions. Also, specify the restrictive clauses in the plan you are about to sell me.

9. Can you sell me a family dental plan? I understand that joint/family dental plans are cheaper than individual dental insurance plans and I'm in the mood to save some money right now, while providing great dental coverage for my entire family.

10. My child's teeth resemble Austin Powers' pearly whites and I figure that he will need braces sometime in the future. Does your dental insurance plan cover orthodontic care? (Ask this question if you have decided to buy a family dental insurance plan and you have a child who needs orthodontic care).

Finally, do not settle for a discount dental insurance plan or a cheap regular dental insurance plan just because the premiums look attractive - the restrictions and the fine print on such cheap dental insurance plans will make you flash your wallet - rather than your teeth - every time you visit the dentist. Go for a plan that is best suited for your needs, and you can find one by probing your favorite dental insurance agent with the questions above. And, hey, before we forget - if you are employed then go ahead and cover yourself with an employer backed dental insurance plan because you'll find it cheaper and at the same time, the quality of service great.