Velicus Vs. Traditional Insurance

Deciding whether dental insurance is right for you can be a difficult decision in an industry full of different companies, different coverages, and different accepted providers. Typical dental insurances work on a 100-80-50 coverage system. This means that routine preventative care, such as your basic cleaning, are covered 100%, basic procedures like cavities are covered at 80%, and major procedures are covered at 50%. While this sounds like a foolproof system, it’s important to look into the fine print on any policy, because often the insurance underwriter will limit the frequency of care, cap the total amount of insurance payout, and disqualify treatment reimbursement based on pre-existing conditions.

At the end of 2014, approximately 64% of the American population had some kind of dental benefits. So how do you decide whether it is worth the cost of coverage? The first thing to consider is the current dental health and needs of your family. Many people have dental insurance offered through their employment at little additional cost to their health insurance. In this case, it is probably beneficial to have a dental plan and eliminate the worry of high out-of-pocket expenses next time you go to your dentist. If you have a growing family, dental insurance can also be a good decision, allowing you to take care of your children’s needs and help to establish good habits as they get older.

For the large group of people who do not currently have dental insurance, and don’t have a low-cost way to acquire it through their employer or current health plan, it is worth considering the handful of negatives before jumping right in. While many insurances mention their 100-80-50 coverage system, what they fail to make as clear is the waiting periods that are often associated with this coverage. Frequently with restorative treatments such as fillings or extractions, you have to wait up to six months before you are covered. With major services like root canals and crowns, you may have to wait up to 12 months before being eligible for coverage on these treatments. This probably isn’t what you want to hear when your tooth is bothering you and you need to get it taken care of quickly. The other thing to consider before beginning a dental insurance plan is the amount, and frequency, that it will cover. Most plans offer a cap of $1000-1500, as the total amount that they will pay out for the entire year. When you consider that the cost of a single implant can be up to $3000, the $1000 limit starts to look less beneficial. In addition to annual benefit maximums, insurances will commonly limit the number of times can use your insurance for a specific service. So multiple fillings in one year may not all qualify for coverage.

Velicus’ Benefit To You

You’ve decided that dental insurance isn’t right for you, but you still want an affordable way to take care of all your dental needs. Velicus was created for people just like you. Becoming a member of Velicus provides you with all the benefits of a typical dental insurance plan (annual cleanings, exams, and reduced cost of procedures, without all the negatives (waiting periods, and maximum coverage amounts).

With Velicus you will receive two free exams, x-rays, and cleanings each year. This is just what you need to keep your teeth clean and healthy, crucial for the prevention of major issues. In addition to your free twice annual appointments, Velicus provides you with a 25% discount on ALL dental treatments with Apex Dental. There are no deductibles you have to hit before this discount takes effect, and even better, there is no maximum limit on the amount you can save.