Will "Repeal and Replace" Affect Your Dental Coverage?

Many individuals and families in the US, face overwhelming difficulties in acquiring a sufficient dental plan and health coverage. This demographic amounts to over two-thirds of the population. The vast majority of this demographic includes marginalized individuals of ethnic minorities, people with preexisting conditions or chronic illnesses, senior citizens, and the growing population of low-income families.

This lack of a dental plan and accessible coverage is a major contributor to both the imbalance of oral disease and general illness which the people of these demographics bare.

Contributors to this hardship can include; inability to access adequate transportation, financial insufficiency, and ever-changing regulatory measures for public health care government assistance programs. Today, this leaves millions of citizens of the United States wondering, how their dental treatment accessibility will be impacted by the ideologically shifting tides in Washington.

The amount of people in the U.S. who have dental insurance coverage is far outweighed by those that have some kind of medical insurance coverage. This means that more people have general health coverage than having dental coverage. Even for those who have insurance plans which provide for the dental care, this benefit is often lost when the primary care holder goes into retirement—leaving spouses and families without a sufficient health plan or insurance for oral treatments and simple dental procedures.

Affordable Care Act and Dental

At present, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides otherwise unobtainable medical coverage for millions of Americans.

However, a conclusive health plan to provide publicly accessible dental coverage and health insurance coverage and a comprehensive dental service for adults still looks to be a long way off.

For all of the many problems with the ACA, it does require dental coverage overall ACA plans to be a comprehensive benefit by offering child dental care.

Children's Dental Coverage Under ACA

Though the ACA does not give adults inclusive dental care coverage as a part of Medicare and CHIP, children are completely covered through child dental care. The wisdom in this being oral health care can treat larger health risks preventatively and pre-existing conditions before something becomes a debilitating issue and also mitigates the likelihood of developing diseases later in life, such as diabetes.

Spending federal tax money for children's dental coverage reduces the cost of continuing care expenses for the taxpayer down the road. In theory, the same logic applies as that of sustainable energy solutions like solar panels; the cost of service is lower in the long run by fronting an initially larger sum of money for a sustainable investment.

“Trumpcare” Changes to Children's Coverage

In 2010, Medicaid law was expanded to insure a greater constituency of the United States, amounting to over 75 million men, women, and children gaining health benefits.

Medicaid works as an entitlement health benefit program; this means that those who meet the qualifications for coverage are guaranteed as such, regardless of financial status. Under Medicaid, states and the federal government put their money together to pay for the cost of care.

The Trump Administration's proposed changes under the ‘Repeal and Replace’ act would dismiss the federal government's part in making up the difference for a state's Medicaid expenses, by introducing block grants. Instead of the state and federal governments working together to cover the cost of

Medicaid, states would be allocated a lump sum grant with which they had control to spend as they wish. “To reduce the number of individuals needing access to programs like Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program, we will need to install programs that grow the economy and bring capital and jobs back to America.”

Reducing the Stress of Out-of-Pocket Payments

Atlanta dentistry practices are making it easier for the patient to afford any necessary dental work while working in combination with dental insurance programs.

A patient’s healthcare is considered the top priority and the combination of experience, comprehensive services, and compassionate care in a positive environment can make all the difference to the patient and their overall well-being.

With different financing options available including Care Credit monthly payment plans and Prosper Healthcare Financing, you can receive low-interest rates, fixed monthly payment plans, and no deferred interest, no hidden fees, or prepayment penalties. Financing options work in addition to the patient’s insurance plan and help to cover the cost of any additional out-of-pocket expenses; this means all the expenses that the insurance company is not going to pay for and instead bills to the patient.

Financing options for dental work generally provide the patient with a quick decision. Care Credit is accepted at over 200,000 locations nationwide, and they extend special financing that a patient wouldn’t receive with a regular credit card. It is not a medical insurance policy and does not replace insurance; it is simply available to help manage the stress and financial burden of higher dental bills.

Benefits of Dental Financing

Dental financing is a great resource to help pay for dental treatments that include, but are not limited to, preventative checkups, cleanings, and cosmetic procedures. Good dental health is essential to a person’s general health, and it is not an aspect of healthcare that should remain overlooked because of the cost factors involved in the work that is needed.

Some dental work may also be unpredictable and not covered by insurance at all. Financing is in place to help offset any high or unforeseen costs and to ensure that the patient gets the service and attention they need to prevent any future problems or conditions.

As always, there is a financial director and insurance coordinator available to assist with any and all questions the patient may have about their treatment plan and cost, financing options, insurance coverage and maximum allowances.

Most dental insurance plans include regular and ongoing diagnostic and preventative care, but the primary purpose of these insurance programs is for prevention and early diagnosis. Regular checkups are essential in avoiding any of these additional out-of-pocket expenses mentioned above but remember: there are always options so the work can be done and the patient can pay in installments to make it easier for them financially.

Contact us today to discuss your dental coverage!