Dental insurance premiums for small businesses vary based on the number of employees, their ages and the type of coverage provided. For a California retail store with three full-time employees (52-year-old male, 30-year-old female and 20-year-old male) covered by the policy but with no spouses or children, eHealthInsurance.com[1] provided more than 100 quotes ranging from $304 a month with a $1,250 deductible and no office visit coverage to a $2,061 monthly premium with a $1,000 deductible and patients paying 20 percent of each office visit. The majority of premium quotes for these three employees ranged from $450-$600 monthly, with deductibles of $500-$3,500 and at least partial coverage of office visits.
Discount dental plans available to the general public range from $7-$26 a month for individuals and $12.75-$75 monthly for a family, with immediate coverage and little or no deductible, and copays of $5-$45 for exams, cleanings, x-rays or fillings, according to a cost comparison chart compiled by BracesInfo.com[2] . You must choose a dentist who is in the plan's network, which means you must make sure there really is a network. Dental "plans" are not actually insurance; patients pay a fee to join and then pay discounted charges for services from a participating dentist.
When getting insurance, key factors to consider are the amount of deductible you must pay out of pocket before the policy kicks in; any limit on total annual benefits; the amount of copayment or percentage you have to cover for office visits, x-rays, cleanings or other services; if there's a "probationary" period before some procedures are covered; and how much freedom you have to choose a particular dentist.
Shopping for dental insurance:
DentalInsurance.com[3] and eHealthInsurance.com[4] offer online quotes for individuals, families and small businesses.
Check with your state insurance department for a list of registered dental insurance companies in your area. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners provides links to these state offices[5] as well as a database with financial details and complaint histories for specific companies.
7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.
CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit Paid: 147.00 Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
Spanish Medical Interpreter Paid: 150.00 I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
Skin prick allergy test Paid: 573.00 Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]