All throughout our married life together, my wife and I have maintained the common insurance coverage that our employers provide: health and dental insurance. We even have our son on our policies for his own coverage. We pay more in premiums for his coverage, but better that than paying full price for procedures. In 2010, we added vision care insurance, so we then thought that we had complete coverage for all of the most commonly used medical procedures. We went on not thinking much about our insurance until we made our various office visits. Then, early in 2010, our son’s dentist ordered the first stages of orthodontic care: spacers.
Previous dental insurance did not cover orthodontics
Our previous dental insurance covered most of our routine dental care and much of the costs for higher-level procedures. We still had to pay some out of pocket, but we rejoiced that the plan covered most of the costs. However, we did not know until we had our consultation with the orthodontist that our dental insurance plan did not cover orthodontic care such as spacers and braces. We cringed at the thought of having to pay full price for our son’s spacers, but since we already had a second opinion, we decided to do the best for our son and have the spacers put in.
Orthodontics costs and payment
After a few more visits, the orthodontist staff went over the costs and payment plans for the spacers: $1300. We went over various payment plans and decided on the down payment plus monthly payments. Soon into the term, though, I started feeling guilty about breaking my self-promise not to add monthly payments to our budget. We had more than enough money in our savings account to pay the remaining balance in cash, so we did. From that point on, we have paid nothing on each visit, so we do not have to spend our daily cash flow or dip any further into savings for his spacers, which served their purpose and have since come out.
New dental insurance covers orthodontics
In the fall of 2011, my employer’s financial/insurance handler decided to change dental insurance companies for us. We had a choice between the existing plan and the new plan, which also covers orthodontics, for only a few dollars more.
Our son will soon become a teenager, and if we can find any way to avoid braces for him, we will. I never had them, and even with crooked teeth and an extra front tooth, I have never had any trouble with my teeth. Nevertheless, the possibility of braces for our son exists. Therefore, I naturally chose the new plan. This new dental insurance plan pays more coverage for regular dental care. It also has a one-time deductible of $1000 for orthodontics, and from then on, the insurance pays all costs. Braces cost a few thousand dollars, so if can save money with the insurance, then we will appreciate every bit of help we can get. We hope he does not have to have braces, but if he does, we at least have some coverage.
Happy with the new plan
We have dental care only a few times a year for each of us, but having the extra coverage that our new policy afford us helps us to save money on each visit and procedure. We suggest that when given a choice, select the plan that offers more coverage even if the premiums cost a little more. The savings over time can greatly outweigh the immediate slight increase in premiums.
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