A crucial component of your overall health involves taking care of your teeth and gums, which means it’s essential to visit the dentist regularly and remember to properly brush and floss. Sadly, millions of Americans neglect their oral health and wait until there’s an emergency before taking action. A segment of the population does not have health insurance, meaning they have to pay out of their pocket for regular dental services. So, we’ve created this guide in regards to how much a routine cleaning will cost you if you’re uninsured.

What Does A Routine Appointment Involve?

The human body naturally produces a substance called plaque that coats the teeth and gums. Plaque cyclically forms after 24 hours and if it’s not properly removed, it hardens and starts to decay over time. A regular cleaning prevents this build up and is the only way to properly remove the callous substance.

During a normal check-up, the dentist will also ask for a few x-rays, which can provide a view of what’s happening beneath the surface. You typically have to wear large goggles and a heavy piece of lead armor to ensure the rays don’t penetrate your upper body. The results can indicate if you have a rotten or decaying tooth that’s going to need a filling, extraction or other types of dental intervention.

How Much Does It Cost?

The truth is that it really varies depending on where you live in the nation. Some states are less expensive compared to others and it usually has something to do with the number of dentists in the area. For example in a big city, there are tons of dental offices, which create competition and naturally drive down the price of routine cleanings. However, in a small town, it’s usually the opposite, as there may be only one dentist to serve the entire population, which therefore drives up the price.

The Academy of Dental CPAs and Dental Economics did some research in 2016 and compiled an average price based on the region. Here are the results.

Northeast region

• Comprehensive exam:  $101
• Cleaning: $110

Mid-Atlantic

• Comprehensive exam: $90
• Cleaning: $95

Midwest region

• Comprehensive exam: $85
• Cleaning: $92

Southern US region

• Comprehensive exam: $84
• Cleaning: $88

Mountain region

• Comprehensive exam: $89
• Cleaning: $97

What If You’re Insured?

Routine dental services are usually 100 percent covered, whether you have a job-based plan or one that you purchased through HealthCare.gov or the state-based exchange. Insurance companies typically allow for two visits a year that involve cleaning, fluoride treatment, and x-rays. Remember the insurance company is looking to save money in the long run, which is why they’re willing to expend money on preventative measures.

Do You Have More Questions?

If you’re looking for dental coverage and are still slightly confused about the subject, call one of our agents today at 855-881-0430! Here at HealthQuoteInfo, it’s our mission to serve you and provide the latest advice regarding health insurance. We understand it can be confusing at times, which is why our agents are ready to respond to any questions or concerns.

 

 

The most common questions anyone has when moving to a new area is the request for a new doctor. Social media has become a hot spot for doctor recommendations, whether it be a person has moved into a new area, or has a pain or ailment that requires a specialist. However, while reaching out to friends and family is a key component to finding a doctor in the area for your medical needs, it is not the only part of the process, and most definitely not the first part of the process. In reality, there are four distinct steps to finding the right doctor, which will result in a perfect match for you and your physician when done together in order.

Check Your Coverage

Your health insurance coverage should always be the first step when looking for any type of medical related answer. In the case of finding the right doctor for you, it is important to first see who is in your network of approved providers. There is no sense going to a physician who you will leave because you cannot afford to keep seeing him or her. Most health insurance provider lists offer the ability for you to look for specific qualifications, like a female gynecologist or a doctor who speaks Spanish in his office. This feature will help you narrow down your search and the resulting options prior to moving onto step 2.

Ask Your Friends and Family

Once you have the list of approved providers that meet your needs, turn to social media, your friends, and your family. Ask for recommendations from your list of approved providers. Find out if anyone has dealt with any of the physicians on your list and then ask their thoughts. Attempt to eliminate more than one doctor from your list, leaving you with only a handful of options. Make sure you ask the questions that matter most to you, such as the potential physician’s specialties, bedside manner, and availability? Many people may also want to ask for appointment wait times and whether the staff is as friendly and competent as the doctor. One bad staff member can ruin the entire practice.

Make a Preliminary Decision

Now that you have asked your friends and family and done your online research, it is time to make a list of the top three. This is your first, second and third choice. Should the first choice not be a good match, move onto the next, until you find the perfect fit. Now, start with your first pick and do your research. Determine how close the doctor is to your home and office. Call the office to see how the staff deals with new and existing patients over the phone. Analyze how you are treated and the ease in which the appointment is made. You may even use this time to ask pertinent questions of the provider’s office, such as the normal hours for appointments, how available the doctor may be, and what types of equipment and tests can be done in the office while you wait. Depending on the answers to the questions, you may choose to stop with this doctor or call the next on your list. Make a meet and greet appointment to get a better feel for your choice of physicians.

Visit the Doctor

The final step in this process is to make an appointment to allow you the opportunity to meet your potential physician and see if he is a match. This is the opportunity to test his bedside manner, sense of humor, and his overall knowledge. From this meeting, you should walk away knowing whether the doctor is a good fit for you and your family. If you dread the thought of having to go back to his office, thank him for his time and call the next doctor on your list. However, if the visit goes well, make sure to add the doctor’s information to your contact list in your phone and continue with your day.

Should the physician be a family physician, it may be a great idea to bring your entire family to the meet and greet appointment. Make sure your spouse and children relate to the physician, and the physician can relate to them. Otherwise, you may find yourself repeating the process sooner than you had hoped.

Thinking about quitting your job? Do you sense your company is about to downsize and you might be on the chopping block? Either way, unemployment can be a stressful time for many Americans as they try to navigate through the uncertainty, but it’s important to remain calm and create a game plan for the future.

One of your top concerns has to be health insurance because many Americans lose their coverage once they depart from the organization. There is another option called COBRA, which stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and is meant to extend your health coverage while you’re unemployed. COBRA insurance coverage is flawed though because it’s usually quite pricey, costing upwards of $500 per month per individual in certain cases. This means COBRA is not an option for many Americans, so here are a few alternatives if you find yourself unemployed.

Purchase A Plan

Through the Affordable Care Act, you can shop around for a new health insurance plan. Under normal circumstances, most Americans have to wait for the open enrollment period. The enrollment period for 2018 starts on November 1, 2017, and ends on December 15, 2017. If you’ve lost your job, you may qualify for a special enrollment, which means you’ll have to explain your situation and wait for approval. Once you get approved, you will be able to purchase a health plan.

Utilize Your Spouse’s Plan

This is a great option if your spouse is employed and their company offers health insurance. In many instances, joining your spouse’s plan can save a lot of money in the long-run while you’re unemployed. It’s important to always check with your spouse first and calculate the cost of the monthly premium increase. Your partner’s coverage might differ from your old plan as well, so it’s best to read the fine print and fully understand the new conditions and benefits.

Medicaid

If you’ve lost your job and have had to sell some property, you may be eligible for Medicaid. This provides health coverage to low-income individuals who would otherwise be uninsured. Medicaid is controlled by each state but is federally regulated, meaning coverage and eligibility varies depending on where you live. You can always find out more information at HealthCare.gov to see if this is a viable option.

Trade Unions or Alumni Associations

A lot of individuals often overlook this option, but it’s always best to do a bit of research and make a few phone calls to see if this is available. Many college alumni associations do offer health insurance plans, meaning you can join their plan by simply paying a monthly premium. Several trade unions also provide the same coverage, meaning you can purchase insurance through your specific union. Several other options for different professions exist, so it’s always best to reach out to the union and ask a few questions.

If you’re facing the prospects of being unemployed in the near future, consider these options instead of immediately reaching for the COBRA option, as it can be quite costly and take a chunk out of your wallet. For more information regarding the complex health insurance landscape in America, count on HealthQuoteInfo to give you the latest information and the best advice in the industry.