Compare the best dental plans now

Dental insurance works in much the same way that medical insurance works. For a specific monthly rate (or "premium"), you are entitled to certain dental benefits, usually including regular checkups, cleanings, x-rays, and certain services required to promote general dental health. Some plans will provide broader coverage than others and some will require a greater financial contribution on your part when services are rendered. Some plans may also provide coverage for certain types of oral surgery, dental implants, or orthodontia.

Like health insurance plans, dental insurance plans are usually categorized as either Indemnity or managed-care plans (Dental PPO plans fit in this latter category). Put broadly, the major differences concern choice of dental care providers, out-of-pocket costs and how bills are paid. Typically, Indemnity plans offer a broader selection of dental care providers than managed-care plans. Indemnity plans pay their share of the costs for covered services only after they receive a bill (which means that you may have to pay up front and then obtain reimbursement from your insurance company).

Managed-care plans typically maintain dental provider networks. Dentists participating in a network agree to perform services for patients at pre-negotiated rates and usually will submit the claim to the dental insurance company for you. In general, you'll have less paperwork and lower out-of-pocket costs with a managed-care dental plan and a broader choice of dentists with an Indemnity plan.

Although there is no one "best" dental insurance plan, some plans may work better for you and your family than others. Plans differ primarily in how much you'll have to pay monthly for your coverage and how much you'll have to pay when dental services are rendered. Some plans will require that you pay a certain co-payment for services, or meet a specific deductible before the dental insurance company begins payment. Other plans may limit coverage to a specific dollar-amount maximum per year.

When reviewing your dental insurance options, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• How much will it cost me on a monthly basis?
• Will I be required to meet a deductible? Once the deductible is met, how much will the dental insurance provider pay for my services?
• What dentists participate in the plan's network? Are these dentists that my family and I would like to see?
• If I used a dentist outside the plan's network, how much will I have to pay?
• Are there waiting periods for certain procedures?

Dental PPO (Preferred Provider Organization or Participating Provider Organization) plans are perhaps the most common type of managed care dental insurance plans. Most Dental PPO plans require you to pay a deductible. With a Dental PPO plan the patient typically obtains care through a network of dental providers who agree to serve the plan's members at reduced rates. When you use a network provider, you will typically pay a certain percentage (e.g. 20%) of the reduced rate, and the insurance company will pay the remaining percentage (e.g. 80%).

As a member of a Dental PPO plan, you may use dentists outside of the Dental PPO plan network, but you will typically only be reimbursed based on the amount that a network dentist would have accepted as payment in full. The rest of the total charges will be considered the patient's responsibility.

Vision insurance is generally a supplemental insurance to other types of medical insurance policies. Vision insurance will help offset the costs of routine checkups as well as help pay for vision correction wear that may be prescribed by the attending physician.

Please note, however, that definitions of certain terms may vary across insurance companies.

Thorough eye exams are essential, not just for detecting vision problems, but as an important preventive measure for maintaining overall health and wellness. It does more than just help you see well. It can also help your doctor see signs of common health conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Caring for your eyes should always be a part of your regular healthcare routine.

Please note, however, that definitions of certain terms may vary across insurance companies.

Routine eye exams are an important preventive measure for maintaining your overall health and wellness. During an eye exam, your doctor can look for vision problems and signs of serious medical conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, and even cancer.

During a contact lens exam, your doctor will evaluate your vision with contacts. Although your vision may be clear and you feel no discomfort from your lenses, there are potential risk factors with improper fitting of contact lenses that can affect the overall health of your eyes.

Please note, however, that definitions of certain terms may vary across insurance companies.

Accident Insurance helps you handle the medical and out-of-pocket costs that add up after an accidental injury. This includes emergency treatment, hospital stays and medical exams, and other expenses you may face, such as transportation and lodging needs.

Please note, however, that definitions of certain terms may vary across insurance companies.

Accidents happen to all of us. And, whether it's a broken bone, a sprain, a car accident, or an allergic reaction to a bee sting, meeting the costs for treatment and recovery after an injury can be challenging. An affordable accident insurance policy can help you pay for the expenses that are not fully covered by your major medical insurance.

You can choose to get cash benefits from the carrier directly. Meaning, you'll have the cash on hand to help you with expenses incurred due to an injury, to help with ongoing living expenses, or to help with any purpose you choose.

Please note, however, that definitions of certain terms and plan designs may vary across insurance companies.

No. You are under no obligation to buy a health insurance plan when using our site. After submitting your application you may cancel it at any time during the underwriting process. When you submit an application you will typically include your credit card number or a check for the first premium payment. Most insurance companies will not charge your card or deposit your check until you are approved. If you are charged or your check is cashed and you are denied for coverage or cancel your application prior to approval, the insurance company will issue a refund.

A few insurance companies may charge an application fee. You will be notified in the application if the plan you chose requires an application fee. Please note that these fees are non-refundable.

Most people purchase travel health insurance plans for short periods of time, for vacations or holiday. In addition, typical travel health plans may not be renewable.

The coverage period of an international health plan usually runs for 12 months and can be renewed, though exceptions may apply.