In today’s fast-paced world, ensuring your dental health while managing financial concerns has become more accessible than ever, thanks to the convenience of online purchasing in India. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the finest dental insurance plans available in 2023, enabling you to make an informed decision to secure your smile’s well-being while purchasing health insurance.
Best Dental Insurance Plans in India 2023
1. Aditya Birla Active Health Platinum Enhanced Insurance Plan
Aditya Birla’s Activ Health Platinum Enhanced Insurance Plan is a standout choice in the realm of dental insurance. This plan offers coverage ranging from a minimum of Rs. 2 Lakhs to an impressive maximum of Rs. 2 Crores. One of its key features is the inclusion of dental implant insurance coverage for medical expenses, not just during hospitalization but also 60 days before and 180 days after. Dental consultations become accessible with plans that have a sum insured of ₹15 lakhs or higher. Moreover, it offers coverage up to the insured amount for obesity treatment, hospitalization related to psychiatric care, and specific advanced treatment procedures.
2. ICICI Lombard Health Advantage Plus Plan
The ICICI Lombard Health Advantage Plus Plan is a unique offering in the Indian insurance landscape as it includes coverage for dental care expenses. This plan provides protection not only for dental treatments but also for unforeseen medical situations such as accidents, severe illnesses, and surgical procedures. It encompasses expenses linked to outpatient treatments, which includes dental interventions and tests. The highest amount insured for both individual and family coverage plans is ₹3 Lakhs.
Premium Rates (inclusive of tax and cess):
- Age 5-60 years: ₹15,000
- Age 61-70 years: ₹20,000
3. Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy
Maintaining oral health and hygiene is of utmost importance, and the Star Comprehensive Insurance Plan recognizes that. This plan covers outpatient dental costs up to a predefined threshold, making it an excellent choice to safeguard your finances from steep personal expenditures. In addition to dental coverage, this policy extends to procedures like bariatric surgery and specific advanced treatments.
4. Digit Health Care Plus Plan
If you’re seeking relief from dental discomfort, the Digit Health Care Plus Plan has you covered. This insurance plan covers the expenses of regular dental interventions, including root canals, dental x-rays, composite fillings, correction of malocclusion in adolescents, and even tooth removals.
5. Tata AIG Medicare Premier
Tata AIG’s Medicare Premier plan offers extensive coverage for dental treatments. It provides coverage for outpatient dental procedures like root canals, tooth extractions, and fillings. In addition to this, it also encompasses in-patient dental treatments and hospital stays arising from dental accidents or injuries. After a waiting period of 2 years, you’ll be eligible for outpatient coverage of up to ₹10,000. Moreover, this plan facilitates cashless claims resolution for dental care at over 7,200 hospitals across India.
READ ALSO: The Importance of Health Insurance in Today’s World
Benefits of Buying Dental Insurance Plans
Individual dental insurance plans offer a range of distinctive advantages, including:
- Access to dental consultations when needed.
- Inclusion of expenses for dental x-rays, root canals, and related pharmacy costs.
- Provision for teeth scaling and alignment procedures.
- Coverage for expenses connected with braces or dental implants.
- Potential discounts on regular dental check-ups.
- Coverage for costs related to minor surgical interventions like oral biopsies.
- Protection for minor infections, amalgam treatments, and tooth extractions.
- Safeguarding against expenses linked to periodontal or corrective treatments.
Types of Health Insurance Policies that Include Dental Cover
1. Individual Coverage: Many individual health insurance policies extend partial coverage for dental expenses based on conditions outlined in the policy documentation. Some insurers may not encompass dental costs within their basic plans; instead, they may provide coverage for dental procedures through supplementary plans.
2. Family Floater Option: Family floater plans prove advantageous for households. If you’re seeking comprehensive coverage for dental expenses for your entire family, opting for a family floater plan that incorporates dental expenses could be the way to go.
3. Incorporation in Critical Illness: Certain insurance providers might incorporate dental surgeries and accident-related dental treatments within the critical illness provision of their health insurance schemes. Some might also offer these as supplementary benefits. It is advisable to meticulously scrutinize the policy documentation for precise insights.
4. Coverage through Personal Accident Plans: Certain personal accident insurance policies might cover substantial dental procedures, contingent upon their necessity due to an accident. Many health insurance policies in India include a restricted range of dental treatments and interventions under the personal accident coverage clause.
5. Coverage for Preventive or Restorative Measures: Certain policies might reimburse expenses for preventive or corrective dental care. It is imperative to peruse the policy document diligently to ascertain the complete list of illnesses or conditions that fall under coverage.
How to Choose the Right Dental Insurance?
To choose the right dental insurance plan, consider the following factors:
- Comprehensive Evaluation of Costs and Benefits: Determine whether an individual policy or a family floater policy aligns more suitably with your needs.
- Exclusions and Waiting Periods: Take into account factors such as exclusions, waiting periods, and so on.
- Network Hospitals and Dental Procedures: Examine the roster of network hospitals as well as the dental treatments and procedures encompassed by the policy.
Common Exclusions Under Dental Health Insurance Policies
Typically, the following procedures are not usually included in dental insurance policies:
- Cosmetic surgical interventions
- Surgery for the upper or lower jaw bones
- Orthodontic treatments
- Dental prosthetics
- Jaw alignment procedures
- Denture placements
Eligibility Criteria to Purchase a Dental Insurance Plan
Eligibility criteria for dental insurance plans can vary among different insurers and specific plans. Generally, individuals within the age range of 18 to 65 years are eligible for coverage under individual policies. Family floater plans usually extend coverage to children aged 90 days and older.
How To Apply For Dental Insurance
Coverage for dental treatments can be availed as part of a health insurance plan. Such plans, as well as dental care, can be chosen after comparing various insurance policies online. To purchase a dental insurance policy, follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit InsuranceDekho and select the ‘Health’ tab.
Step 2: Enter the details like the names of the members you wish to insure, contact information, medical history, etc. Click on ‘Submit to view quotes’.
Step 3: Begin comparing various health policies that include dental coverage and select the best budget-friendly plan.
Step 4: Make the necessary payment online using a debit/credit card or net banking facilities.
You can also buy the policy in offline mode by getting in touch with the customer care executives at InsuranceDekho. You can call the toll-free number 7551-196-989 and share your requirements with the experts. They will help you buy the most suitable health insurance plan online at the portal. They are available all days of the week to assist you in the best possible way.
What Are The Documents Required For Dental Insurance?
The documents required for purchasing a dental insurance policy are as follows:
- Address Proof: Passport/Driving license/Telephone bill etc.
- Identity Proof: Passport/Aadhar Card/ Pan Card/ Voter ID etc.
- Recent Photographs
- Discharge summary
- Duly filled claim form
- KYC Document
- Policy Document
- Pharmacy Bill
- Consultation Bill
- Hospital Bill
- Policy Documents
How to Claim a Dental Insurance Plan
The procedure might differ based on whether it’s a cashless or reimbursement claim. Moreover, individual insurers could have their unique protocols and prerequisites. Nevertheless, here are several shared steps:
- Notify the insurance company, depending on whether your dental procedure is scheduled or unforeseen.
- Provide all necessary supporting documents alongside the completed claim form.
- Await the insurance company’s validation of your documents, which might involve requests for supplementary information and clarifications. Respond to such queries as needed.
- Reimbursement claims are typically resolved within a span of seven to 10 working days.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Dental Insurance Plans
Here are some of the things you need to consider before buying the best dental insurance plan in India:
- Assess Suitability: Examine your requirements and gauge how well a plan aligns with them. This will aid in determining whether an add-on or rider provision is necessary.
- Familiarise Yourself with Dental Plan Types: There are four categories of dental insurance plans, each with its unique features. a. Preferred Provider Organisations (PPO): These plans provide access to a network of dentists who accept reduced fees for covered services.
b. Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (DHMO): Emphasizing preventive care, DHMOs offer cost-effective coverage.
c. Discount Plans: Members can select from a range of dentists offering services at discounted rates.
d. Managed Fee-for-Service Plans: Also referred to as traditional plans, these plans offer a wide selection of dental providers. - Check Eligibility: Before applying, confirm that you meet the eligibility prerequisites of a dental insurance policy.
- Examine the Exclusions and Clauses: Determine the extent of the sum insured and its adequacy. Understand the exclusions, waiting periods, and whether coverage extends to your family members. Scrutinize these aspects with care.
- Conduct a Cost-Benefit Evaluation: Seek value for your money by thoroughly assessing factors like the sum assured, exclusion clauses, waiting period terms, and pre-existing condition clauses. Aim to quantify the value provided in terms of protection and advantages.
How Does Dental Health Insurance Work?
- OPD Extension: Conventional health insurance policies in India usually do not encompass dental treatments and care. However, you have the option to purchase an extra OPD dental plan by paying an additional premium, granting you access to dental coverage.
- Waiting Period: Similar to standard health insurance schemes, dental add-on covers also come with their own waiting periods. This waiting duration varies from plan to plan and from one insurer to another, ranging from two to three years.
- Coverage Limit: Dental coverage entails a predetermined upper threshold, beyond which the insurance provider may not reimburse dental expenses. For instance, if your supplementary coverage has a limit of ₹5000 and your dental bill totals ₹6000, you’ll be responsible for the additional ₹1000 from your own funds.
- Claims Resolution: Much like conventional health insurance plans, dental plans offer the choice between reimbursement or cashless treatment facilities. However, this choice is contingent upon the specific terms and conditions of the particular plan.
Conclusion
In a world where dental health is paramount, these online dental insurance plans provide the ultimate solution. By offering coverage for a range of treatments and procedures, they empower individuals to prioritize their oral well-being without compromising on financial stability. Embrace the convenience of online purchasing and make the smart choice to ensure a healthier, happier smile for years to come.
FAQs
Q1: Must I provide the original hospital invoice when filing a dental insurance claim?
A1: Indeed, when initiating a claim, you’re required to provide the genuine hospital bill, pharmacy bill, and consultation invoice.
Q2: Does dental coverage extend to injuries resulting from accidents?
A2: Expenses for dental treatment necessitated by accident-related damages are eligible for reimbursement under the dental insurance scheme.
Q3: Are expenses for teeth whitening included in a dental insurance policy?
A3: Certainly, teeth whitening expenses are covered by dental insurance.
Q4: What are dental add-on plans?
A4: Dental add-on plans are supplementary coverage options that can be added to your existing health insurance policy to provide coverage for dental treatments and procedures.
Q5: What dental treatments are typically covered?
A5: Commonly covered treatments include dental consultations, cavity fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, dental X-rays, and more. It’s important to check the specific coverage details of each plan.
Q6: Can I buy dental insurance as a standalone policy?
A6: While some insurers offer standalone dental insurance plans, many dental coverage options are provided as add-ons to existing health insurance policies.
Q7: Is there a waiting period for dental coverage?
A7: Yes, dental insurance plans often have a waiting period before you can start claiming benefits. Waiting periods can vary depending on the insurer and the specific plan.
Q8: Are pre-existing dental conditions covered?
A8: Coverage for pre-existing dental conditions might have limitations or exclusions. Be sure to understand the policy’s stance on pre-existing conditions before purchasing.
Q9: Can I choose my dentist with dental insurance?
A9: Many plans have a network of empanelled dentists, and seeking treatment from these network dentists can provide cashless facilities. Some plans might also offer reimbursement if you choose a dentist outside the network.
Q10: Is there an age limit for dental insurance?
A10: Age limits can vary between plans, but typically, dental insurance is available for individuals between 18 and 65 years. Family floater plans might also include coverage for children above a certain age, such as 90 days.