The decision of whether or not to enroll for dental coverage
comes down to a personal decision that is not the LRO's role
to influence. However, if you would like to read about the
logic that LRO Member Lola Hotchkis has applied to her
personal decision on dental insurance coverage, click here.
In general my personal opinion is that dental insurance is
rarely worth it. Here are some facts:
* Last night I looked up the cost of my dentist for an
exam, cleaning and
x-rays. I know this will vary a lot, but it's a data
point. My dentist is
in-network for both Lucent and my current employer. If I
add up the cost of
2 exams, 2 cleanings, and 1 set of x-rays (the typical
amount picked up at
100% for one year on a dental plan), my dentist charges a
total of $217.00
* If I were to pay for Lucent's plan for just myself, it
would cost me
$300 annually.
* So, let's deal with the $300 premium. Obviously, I'm
paying for the
total cost of the preventative plus an extra $83 ($300 minus
$217).
* Now let's say I need a filling, which I did last year so
I know the cost.
My dentist charged $98 and Lucent's plan paid $34 while I
paid $64 out of
pocket.
* I also needed a crown last year. I couldn't quickly find
the paperwork,
but my recollection is that Lucent's plan paid about $200
which I think was
about 30% of the cost (tops).
* Since I don't think I'll need something that expensive
every year, and my
experience tells me that even with my teeth I probably need
something
as expensive as a crown maybe every 4 years, I could take
the extra $83 I'd
be putting into insurance each year and save it. Over 4
years I would have
saved $332 when the plan only paid $234 on the work I had
done last year.
* So, who ends up taking the dental insurance? The answer
is people who
think they need a lot of work done. That's why dental
insurance is so
expensive even in a group plan.
* Dental HMOs can be more cost effective, but the number of
dentists and
choice of dentists in those is very limiting.
* The bottom line: I don't think the LRO should get
involved in dental
insurance. If someone feels they will personally need it,
they should take
the Lucent option which is a fairly good deal.
Lola Hotchkis