The value of having dental supplementary insurance for kids examined.
In the world of children's dental care, the costs of orthodontic treatments can quickly run into the thousands. This is where dental supplementary insurance for children comes into play, offering financial protection and potentially lowering immediate costs.
Firstly, it's important to understand that statutory health insurance covers the costs for braces within KIG 3 for children. However, in KIG 3-5, the out-of-pocket cost for braces is lower as the health insurance generally contributes to the treatment, with additional services costing between 500 € to 2,500 €. Dental supplementary insurance for children can cover these additional costs, including internally and externally worn braces, sealing of teeth, mini-brackets, and tooth stabilizers.
Moreover, dental fillings are common in children, and a dental supplementary insurance for children should cover 80-100% of the costs for high-quality plastic fillings. It's also worth noting that dental insurance for children should offer benefits specific to children, not just adult policies with added benefits.
Taking out dental insurance for children early, between 3 to 4 years, avoids exclusions and ensures full coverage for dental health. However, dental insurance or supplementary orthodontic coverage often has limitations. For instance, coverage only applies to children under 18, and extra riders for orthodontics may be required. Additionally, annual maximum payout limits, exclusions for treatments deemed cosmetic rather than medically necessary, and premiums, deductibles, and waiting periods might apply. Not all dental plans cover the full range of orthodontic treatments or prosthodontics in the first year.
On the other hand, saving money independently for orthodontic treatment gives you more control over how funds are used and avoids paying ongoing insurance premiums or out-of-pocket fees for unused coverage. However, this requires discipline and foresight to accumulate enough funds before treatment is needed. Without insurance, you bear the full cost at the time of treatment, which may be substantial depending on the complexity of your child's orthodontic needs.
In summary, dental supplementary insurance for children provides financial protection, potentially lowers immediate costs, and covers preventive care but often comes with cost-sharing features, exclusions, and coverage limits. Saving independently avoids insurance costs and restrictions but requires careful planning to cover expensive treatments when they arise. The decision between the two depends on your child's dental health needs, expected treatments, and your financial situation.
Other benefits of dental supplementary insurance for children include coverage for dental prosthetics, root and periodontitis treatments, and orthodontic treatments. Many dental supplementary insurance providers cover the 20% co-payment in advance for treatments in KIG 3 to 5. Saving money monthly for your child can accumulate enough to cover numerous additional services at KIG 3-5, and in case of a diagnosis in KIG 1-2, the savings could at least cover a portion of the treatment.
In the end, the decision for or against dental supplementary insurance for children depends on the severity of the malocclusion and the additional services required during the treatment. For less severe misalignments (KIG 1 and 2), the statutory health insurance does not cover the costs. However, for more complex cases, dental supplementary insurance can provide a financial lifeline.
[1] Source: Dental Health Guide for Parents [2] Source: Kid's Dental Health: A Comprehensive Guide [3] Source: Orthodontic Treatment Costs and Insurance Coverage [4] Source: Dental Insurance for Children: What You Need to Know [5] Source: The Pros and Cons of Dental Insurance for Children
Testing the financial impact of orthodontic treatments in health-and-wellness, especially mental-health, it's revealed that dental supplementary insurance for children can be beneficial, covering additional services such as internally and externally worn braces, sealing of teeth, mini-brackets, tooth stabilizers, and dental prosthetics. On the other hand, some parents might find the savings approach more advantageous, independence in managing funds to cover expensive treatments when needed, but this method requires discipline and foresight. The choice between these options depends on the severity of the malocclusion, the additional services required during the treatment, and one's financial situation.
