How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost in Florida?

Cost is the main reason most people don’t make regular dental visits. For those who can’t pay out of pocket, dental insurance is the best option. However, finding a suitable dental plan that doesn’t put a huge dent into your finances can be challenging. While it’s not a good idea to consider cost when it comes to health and dental insurance, sometimes you just don’t have the money. In such cases, it is upon you to look for a dental clinic that accepts insurance, like premium Florida dental here.

Average Cost of Dental Insurance in Florida

In Florida, you can expect to pay a minimum of $32 per month for dental insurance. This can also be gotten for a flat yearly rate of $384. Of course, some factors determine this rate. Your choice of dental benefits, tobacco use (or lack thereof), and the number of people registered under your dental insurance plan all determine your rates. It’s not uncommon to part with a monthly rate of over $50 for dental insurance if some of these factors are not in your favor.

Factors that Influence the Cost of Florida Dental Insurance Plans

The following are some of the crucial factors that determine how much you pay for dental insurance. These include;

i)Location: Your geographical location plays a key role in your dental insurance rates. For example, living in a city where the cost of living is higher than in a rural area means you’ll have to fork out more in monthly dental insurance payments. Your ZIP code can also influence dental insurance costs. If you live in a poor neighborhood but your nearest dental care provider is in a sought-after ZIP code, you may have to pay higher rates.

ii) Overall Dental Health: While this may seem ironic, it’s those with the most dental issues and needs that get to pay the highest rates. Much like health insurance, if the provider determines that your risk of getting dental issues is much more likely, they’ll charge you higher premiums to offset this risk.

iii) Coverage Levels: Depending on whether or not you’re purchasing dental insurance for the first time, the insurance provider may give you the option of choosing between several deductibles and copays. The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay on a dental visit up to the specific amount when the insurance coverage kicks in. If you choose a dental insurance plan with a high deductible plan enables you to pay less in monthly dental insurance rates. However, this will mean you pay more out-of-pocket should you need to see a dentist because of an emergency.

iv) Annual Maximum: In dental insurance, the annual maximum is the amount of money the insurance provider is willing to pay toward your dental care costs in a benefit year, typically defined as 12 months. The higher the annual maximum, the lower your out-of-pocket dental care costs.

While purchasing dental insurance coverage isn’t a legal requirement, it is strongly recommended. Unless you’re someone of means, you may need such coverage in the event of a dental emergency.

Types of Dental Insurance Plans in Florida

The most common ones include:

i)Dental Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan

Here, you have a choice as to which dentist you’d like to see. This is one of its perks. However, this also means you pay more in insurance premiums. This can set you back about $600 a year. One of its other perks is that you don’t need a referral from your regular dentist if you ever need specialist care.

ii) Dental Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan

This is a more pocket-friendly dental insurance option compared to PPO. However, you’re limited to seeing only dentists in the insurance plan’s network. This can be easier if your regular dentist is already on this network.

Limitations of Dental Insurance Coverage in Florida

It’s always good to understand what your dental insurance plan will cover. That way, you’re aware of any out-of-pocket costs you may have to foot when you go to see the dentist. Typically, Florida dental insurance plans cover x-rays, fillings, cleanings, and preventive exams. Surgical treatments like root canal surgery, periodontics, and endodontics may also be covered.

Here, you have to pay attention to the annual maximum. This is the amount of coverage above which the provider will not pay. For example, if your annual maximum is $1200, you’ll have to take care of any dental costs above this amount. It helps to remember that dental insurance plans only cover dental issues that are considered health risks. For instance, aesthetic dentistry involving teeth whitening is not covered under dental insurance plans.