Dental Insurance and Individual Health Plans

By Johny J

One could rarely find and buy individual health plans that also cover dental care. There is useful information that people should know especially if they consider buying the policies separately.

It is estimated that about 45 million Americans currently do not own any dental insurance policy. Most non-elderly citizens who own individual health plans also own dental care policies. However, majority of people who buy health insurance plans on their own do not have dental insurance. This data is according to a report released by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While individual health plans cover several added services like basic emergency care as well as costs of prescription drugs, they logically are not required to include coverage for adult oral care. However, for health care insurance policies for children, dental services are required.

In March 2010, reforms to the healthcare insurance were set. However, despite the push exerted by many advocates, that bill did not include a wider dental component. Supporters and proponents of the reform argued that individual health plans already cover costs for other pressing health conditions like diabetes and heart diseases.

About 75% of 172 million Americans under the age of 65 years (who own private health insurance policies) have dental insurance plans as well. Their employers mostly provide the health insurances. Among those with separate dental coverage, more than a quarter of them have comprehensive plans with dental insurance while a quarter have stand-alone plans. Some have both.

About 90 million American citizens own individual health plans through Medicaid and Medicare, which both do not offer dental care plans for adults. There is no figure available pertaining to public health insurance plans. Medicaid shoulders dental care for people under 21 years old. The insurer currently serves up to 45 million people belonging to the low-income group. However, such patients complain about troubles in finding accredited dentists.

A separate government-sponsored program provides dental care, albeit limited. It is the Children’s Health Insurance Program. As for the older people, they could always opt to purchase separate dental care policies from health insurers.

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Maryland Health Insurance – How to Get the Best Rate

By Brian Stevens

Due to increased medical costs, rising malpractice insurance rates, and increased longevity rates, health insurance premiums have doubled in the last few years. But you can still get a cheap rate on Maryland health insurance if you know how.

Government Health Insurance Programs

Marylandoffers a number of government sponsored health insurance programs. Depending on your level of eligibility, these programs are either very cheap or cost nothing at all. These programs include:

*Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) for low-income families, children, pregnant women, women with breast or cervical cancer, the elderly, and people who are blind or disabled.

*Maryland’s Children’s Health Program (MCHP) for uninsured children under the age of 19 whose family’s income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

*Maryland’s Children’s Health Program Premium (MCHP) for uninsured children under the age of 19 whose family’s income is more than 200% but less than 300% of the federal poverty level.

*Maryland’s Primary Adult Care Program (PAC) for low-income individuals, 19 or older, who are not on Medicare and who don’t qualify for Medicaid.

*Maryland’s Family Planning Program for women who have lost their Medicaid coverage after being covered for a pregnancy under MCHP.

To find out if you’re eligible for any of these programs go to the Maryland Department of Health website – dhmh.state.md.us – click on “Health Care Programs,” then click on “Medicaid and Health Insurance Programs.”

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