Dental Insurance Plans in Arizona

Dental insurance works by helping to cover the cost of preventive care like cleanings and X-rays, as well as a portion of expenses for basic and major dental procedures. You typically pay a monthly premium, and the plan may include deductibles, copayments, or annual maximums.

There are several types of dental insurance plans, including:

• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans: Offer flexibility to see any dentist, but you can save more when using dentists within your plan’s network
• Passive PPO plans: Pays the same percentage for in-network and out-of-network providers.
• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans: Typically lower premiums and more limited provider networks that typically require you to choose a primary dentist and get referrals for specialists
• EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plans: Only provides coverage for services from in-network dentists, but usually don’t require referrals for specialists
• POS (Point of Service) plans: Combine features of PPO and HMO plans, allowing you to go out-of-network at higher costs while still requiring a primary dentist for coordination
• Dental discount plans: Not insurance, but membership programs that provide discounted rates on dental services through participating providers

The right dental insurance plan for you is one with monthly premiums that fit your budget and a network that includes your preferred dentist. Compare different plan types, like PPO, Passive PPO or HMO plans, across features like coverage amounts, deductibles, co-pays, and annual maximums to see what makes the most sense for your situation.

Dental insurance costs can vary depending on the type of plan and level of coverage you choose, but many plans have affordable premium options. That being said, choosing to buy dental insurance can help you reduce long-term associated costs. In addition to premiums, you may have to pay for copays, deductibles and any treatments that go over annual coverage maximums.

In general, preventive care like cleanings and x-rays are fully covered by dental insurance plans with no waiting period, and other, more complex treatments such as root canals are covered at a percentage after the waiting period has been met.

Some dental insurance plans include waiting periods for certain services, such as fillings and crowns. However, many plans offer immediate coverage for preventive care like cleanings and exams. Aflac dental insurance has no waiting period for routine services.

Dental insurance typically includes several types of costs you’ll want to understand. These can vary depending on your plan:

• Monthly premium: Your premium is the amount you pay each month to maintain your coverage.
• Deductible: A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket for services before your insurance starts to help cover costs.
• Copayments or coinsurance: This is your share of the cost for dental services, such as a flat fee or percentage of the total charge.
• Annual maximum: An annual maximum is the total amount your dental insurance will pay for covered services in a plan year. Once you reach this limit, you're responsible for any additional out-of-pocket dental costs.