Find the Best Dental Insurance in Fort Myers, FL

How to choose dental insurance in Fort Myers

Dental care is expensive. A visit for regular preventive care, including an exam, cleaning and X-rays, can be several hundred dollars. Basic and major services — fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures — are significantly more.

Dental insurance in Fort Myers decreases your responsibility for these costs, making it financially easier for you to get care. Most plans pay for 100 percent of preventive services — or close to it — helping you stay in good oral health and catch problems before they become more expensive to treat.

A majority of people with dental benefits get coverage through an employer. About 7 percent buy their own plan through the private marketplace, according to the National Association of Dental Plans.

Anyone who doesn’t have dental benefits in Florida should consider signing up for a plan, since dental care is essential at all stages of life. The Florida Department of Health links poor oral health with heart and lung disease, diabetes, stroke, respiratory illness and adverse birth outcomes.

What are the types of dental insurance in Fort Myers?

When shopping for dental insurance in Fort Myers, you’ll come across three main types of plans: preferred provider organization (PPO), health maintenance organization (HMO) and indemnity, or fee-for-service. Here’s how they differ:

Plan	Features
PPO	Most popular type of plan; includes a deductible and coinsurance for basic and major services; annual maximum limit applies; lower rates at in-network dentists
HMO	Least expensive type of plan; restricted network of dentists; you make copayments for services; no deductible or annual maximum
Indemnity	Most expensive type of plan; freedom to choose any dentist; includes a deductible and coinsurance for basic and major services; annual maximum limit applies

Be on the lookout for waiting periods. Dental insurance in Fort Myers usually covers preventive care right away but requires monthslong waiting periods for basic and major services. That’s why it’s best not to wait until you have an urgent oral health care need before buying a plan.

If you can’t afford to wait, you may be able to find a plan with immediate coverage. Or you can consider dental savings plans in Fort Myers, which are less expensive than insurance. Members pay an annual fee and get discounts within a large network of dentists. But dental savings plans have no cost-sharing; you are responsible for 100 percent of the bill after discounts are applied.

How much does dental insurance in Fort Myers cost?

The cost of dental insurance in Fort Myers depends on several factors:

• Age(s) of the insured
• Tobacco habits of the insured
• Type of plan
• Number of covered individuals

If you’re buying individual coverage expect to pay $12 - $45 per month. For a family of four, monthly premiums are $40 - $150. Dental savings plans start at $100 per year for an individual and $150 for a family.

Whether you choose dental insurance or a dental savings plan, don’t sign up without reading over the terms closely, including any exclusions or limitations. Have a good understanding of which dentists you can see, your out-of-pocket costs for different types of services and how the claims process works.