You have both dental and medical insurance, and they are both very important when it comes to keeping your body healthy. However, you may be wondering what makes them different from one another and why they are separated into two completely different categories. This is something many people find confusing when it comes to navigating their coverage. Continue reading to learn more about the differences and reasons behind having separate insurance plans.
What’s the Different Between Medical and Dental Insurance?
The biggest difference between medical and dental insurance is their focus. When you think about medical insurance, you probably concentrate on how much it can save you from the heavy burden of large medical experiences. Without medical insurance, healthcare would be a challenge for many people to afford because of its high cost. Your medical insurance seems to have a large focus on unexpected care, like an injury or illness that can occur without warning. You may end up requiring immediate medical treatment to get back to everyday life.
When it comes to dental insurance, this is usually geared towards preventing issues before they occur. Of course, there is always the chance that you could experience a dental emergency, but most of the time you go to the dentist, it is likely just for a cleaning, checkup, or minor procedure to prevent more serious problems from occurring. With easy access to preventive care, you’ll be able to avoid a dental emergency more easily.
Why Are These Types of Insurance Separate?
You might be wondering why medical insurance doesn’t cover the care of your whole body. Here are a few reasons why they are separated:
- Separation of Fields: Dental and medical care have been separated for a while now. This is mostly because dentists and medical doctors require education from separate schools and are involved in different fields. The medical field never truly accepted dentistry as part of their practice. Dentists went their own way, and this eventually translated to insurance plans as well.
- Dental Carriers: Carriers are specific to dental practices. To create cost-effective insurance policies, specialization is needed. Your medical carrier is familiar with forming relationships with hospitals and doctors’ offices to help you get the best coverage for your money. Dental carriers will do the same thing except with a network of dentists. Dental carriers are better able to bargain with dentists for the best possible discounts.
- Insurance Companies View Them Differently: When it comes to medical insurance, it’s important to consider that health can be unpredictable. A single patient could cost the company greatly. However, this isn’t usually the case with oral health since preventive care is the main focus.
Dental insurance isn’t always the easiest thing to comprehend, but your dental team is here to help! By doing your own research and working with your provider, you can work towards maximizing your benefits.
About the Author
Dr. M. Kent Smith is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for well over 30 years. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and continues to pursue continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. His practice is in-network with Cigna, Delta, Metlife, and many more popular insurance providers. To discuss your benefits with a team member or to schedule an appointment at his office in Edmond, visit his website or call (405) 341-7773.