Dental & Vision Insurance

Our experienced agents can steer you in the right direction for the perfect dental or vision insurance that suits your needs and your family.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is a type of health insurance designed to pay a portion of the costs associated with dental care.  There are several different types of individual, family, or group dental insurance plans grouped into three primary categories: Indemnity (or sometimes called: true dental insurance) which allows you to see any dentist you want  who accepts insurance, Preferred Provider Network dental plans (PPO; briefly discussed below), and dental Health Managed Organizations (DHMO) in which you are assigned to an in-network dentist or in-network dental office and must stay within that network to receive your dental benefits.

Generally dental offices have a fee schedule, or a list of prices for the dental services or procedures they offer. Dental insurance companies have similar fee schedules which are generally based on Usual and Customary dental services, an average of fees in your area.

When a dentist signs a contract with a dental insurance company, that provider agrees to match the insurance fee schedule and give their customers a reduced cost for services. This is considered an In-Network Provider or Participating Provider network (PPO). Depending on your specific plan, if you seek an Out-of-Network or Non-Participating Provider, any difference of fees will become the financial responsibility of the patient unless otherwise specified in your dental policy.

Some dental insurance plans may have waiting periods. This is a period of time before certain benefits will be covered, generally set in place when you are a new enrollee or seek out an independent plan outside of an employer or group policy. 

Some dental insurance plans may have an annual maximum benefit limit. Thus, once the annual maximum benefit is exhausted additional treatments may become the patient's responsibility. Each year that annual maximum is reissued. The reissued date may vary as a calendar year, company fiscal year, or date of enrollment based on your specific plan.

Vision Insurance

Much like dental insurance, vision insurance provides coverage related to eyesight, including eye exams, corrective lenses and contacts, as well as eye surgeries and other vision care. 

Eyesight is very important. Maintaining good eyesight requires regular eye exams. Vision insurance is a way to reduce the expenses that come along with proper eye care. The monthly premium paid to a vision insurance plan picks up part of the costs. 

According to the National Eye Institute, over 66% of Americans over the age of 18 report wearing glasses, contacts, or both during their daily lives. With that many people in need of vision services, it would seem that having vision insurance would be a no-brainer and plain for everyone to "see", 

Vision insurance plans vary from one carrier to another.  Some pay more while some pay less, and the amount usually depends on the plan and monthly premium chosen. This will usually impact the amount paid for office visits as well. 

People who have poor vision or history of eye disease in their family should have more frequent eye exams.  However, routine exams should be observed as many times hidden issues that are not yet known by the patient can be detected early and prevent major damage or impact on future vision.