Dental Insurance Articles
What to Do When You Cannot Get Dental Insurance From Your Employer
2010-06-04
Knowing what to do when you cannot get dental insurance from your employer is important for your health, as well as your family's. Gum disease and tooth decay has been linked to heart disease and other serious issues. An insurance policy is a valuable asset in preventing future problems. After talking to human resources and higher management and getting nowhere, it's time to go around them.
Talk to the Union
If you have a union workplace, the first step in gaining extra benefits is to go to your union representative with your concerns. If enough workers petition to get dental insurance from your employer, negotiations can begin. Even if you end up paying for some of the fees for an insurance policy out of your checks, it can be worth it in the end. The worst that can happen is you get told no.
Talk to the County
Your local human services office can give you information about any city, county, or state dental insurance that is offered to low income individuals and their families. Some areas offer free cleanings and screenings to children under the age of eighteen that do not have an insurance policy on certain days during the year. Even if you do not qualify for these programs, they will have a list of any available sliding scale fee dentists in your area. These dentist's offer their services for less to families that are not insured, or under-insured. Discounts vary between providers.
Get Rate Quotes to Insure Yourself
Contact insurance companies for monthly rate quotes on insuring yourself and the members of your family. Some places offer discounts if you group all of your policies together with them such as homeowners, auto, health and dental insurance. Factors for how much you pay can differ from company to company, as well as be affected by individual laws and state criteria that is in place in you area.
Look into Discount Plans
Though dental discount plans do not provide an actual insurance policy, they have a network of dentists that provide services for a lot less than what you would pay for it straight out of pocket. Most plans work by offering a percentage off services if you see dentist's that are signed up as being a provider. These percentages vary greatly from company to company, as well as for what type of services that you are needed. You must read the fine print and see if the monthly or yearly fee to be a part of the program makes sense for you and your family.
What to do when you cannot get dental insurance from an employer is entirely personal matter. It depends upon your current situation, financial status and individual needs.