Even if the total cost of the dental insurance is borne by the individual, it can be as little as $159.95 a year for the entire family. Access will even include permanent residents of the household, though unrelated. A discount dental plan such as this does not mean that dental care is free. It does mean that a cleaning could cost as little as $12.00 rather than the $45.00 usually charged. Twice yearly cleaning can eliminate cavities, preventing costly fillings or complete tooth loss.
Information provided on Illinois discount dental plans advertises a family plan for $129.95 through Unicare. Looking into it a bit further reveals that coverage under this plan includes cleaning and x-rays only. For $30.00 to $40.00 more per year, the family can get discounted fillings, root canals and dentures, at significant savings, from Aetna or Affordable Family Health Services. In all cases, the patient would have to pay a portion of the cost above the annual dental insurance premium. This usually results in a savings over uninsured cost of approximately 40%.
For those unemployed persons looking for dental insurance in Illinois, the state Medicaid program provides for some services. There are income guidelines so that even those who have small incomes can qualify. This being said, the real challenge comes in finding a dentist who will accept Medicaid payments, which usually are the bare minimum. For example, if the dentist can charge $50.00 for a procedure, Medicaid may reimburse him $6.00 for the service. As a consequence, very few dentists will even consider service to Medicaid recipients. This leaves the possibility of a free dental treatment clinic. Such clinics are in short supply and usually overburdened. Dental care in Illinois faces the same challenges as all the other states. That is finding ways to provide for their citizens in a time of shrinking employment, with its attendant lower tax revenues.
Dental care with or without dental insurance is an extremely important component of preventative health care. Neglecting dental care can lead to serious health conditions affecting the entire body. An infected tooth, resulting from failure to have a cavity filled, can cause fever, pain, lost work days, and even worse. Research has shown that infected teeth can cause inflammation resulting in heart disease. Dental insurance providers in Illinois recognize the importance of prompt treatment before the patient becomes seriously ill.
Prominent companies, such as Aetna and United Health Care, offer dental insurance in Illinois. Many times this coverage can be continued if the patient moves to another state, because these insurance companies operate nationwide. The dental insurance coverage can even be continued if the insured person or family changes jobs. Employers often contribute to dental insurance as part of the health care coverage, recognizing that the employee will be healthier and have better work attendance. With the trend currently of higher unemployment in a poor economy, remaining healthy is even more critical.
