Understanding Illinois Dental Insurance – Something to sink your teeth into
For many of us, the extent of our oral or dental care is brushing and flossing, which for daily maintenance is very important. We go to the dentist two to three times a year, put on a bib and say “ahhh”.
Why is going to the dentist so important? Is it about making sure our pearly whites shine bright and that we have no cavities? Well, yes, however proper dental care is extremely important for your overall health care management. How so you ask.
Take a look at these figures:
- The connection between gum disease and heart attacks is higher than the connection between high cholesterol and heart attacks;
- One study showed that 85 percent of heart-attack patients had periodontal disease;
- Every $1 spent on dental care can save $20 in medical care (this was as of the year 2000). I haven’t seen new data but I am going to go out on a limb and say it is higher.
- Diet changes because of tooth loss could lead to heart risk.
- Bacteria that is released from infected gums (gum disease) can find its way into the bloodstream and attach to blood vessels and increase clot formation, then in turn decrease blood flow to the heart, increasing chances of heart attack and aggravating high blood pressure.
Not only is the heart affected by periodontal disease – the liver, lungs, pancreas (diabetes) and kidneys can also be affected.
Good oral hygiene is vital; that much you understand. Having dental insurance will take the financial pain out of the regular maintenance that good oral hygiene requires and will significantly diminish the financial pain for some other procedures.
Dental insurance covers a wide variety of services and many of the services fall into various categories – some categories are entitled Preventative, Basic and Major or Type I, II and III – depending on insurance carrier.
The majority of the dental insurance covers the following types of services at varying levels of coverage or maximum allowance:
- Cleanings
- Examinations
- X-rays
- Sealants
- Space Maintainers
- Fillings
- Simple extractions
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Dentures
- Endodontics
- Oral Surgery
- Periodontics
Maximum allowance – is that like Maximum Benefit?
Yes. Dental insurance plans carry maximum calendar year allowances or benefits – in most cases, the benefit is $1,200 per calendar year per individual. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BlueCare Dental offers one of the highest maximum annual benefit levels available at up to $1,500 per individual per calendar year.
It is tempting to make dental insurance an after thought to the purchase of major medical or life insurance. In reality, dental insurance is critical to ensuring that your smile is bright and the rest of your body doesn’t suffer the ill effects that can come from poor oral hygiene; while at the same time reducing the financial pain that can come from a trip to the dentist. But don’t confuse diminished financial pain and long term health benefits with an actual reduction in physical pain that can come from procedures like a root canal. That’s one thing dental insurance can’t fix.
For more detailed information on dental insurance, consult our article library or call one of our insurance specialists today.
