Show When you purchase something new, you probably want to use it right away. Dental insurance doesn’t always work that way. Some plans come with a “waiting period.” What does that mean, and does Beam have a waiting period? Allow us to explain. What is a waiting period?A waiting period is the length of time a member has to wait before they can use their dental benefits. It begins on the effective date (the day the dental policy begins) and lasts for a time specified by the plan, which could be 30 days or one year. Waiting periods may only apply to certain procedures. For instance, some plans could allow the member to get preventive procedures (e.g., cleanings) right away but have a waiting period for major services such as crowns, implants, or bridges. A member can still visit their dentist during a waiting period. However, if they get a procedure that isn’t yet covered by their plan, they’ll pay the full cost out of pocket. As an example, let’s say a member has a dental plan that goes into effect on June 1 with the following parameters:
This member could get a teeth cleaning and X-rays on June 1 and have it covered by insurance. However, their policy wouldn’t cover basic procedures until December 1 or major procedures until June 1 of next year. Why do waiting periods exist?Dental insurance companies usually implement waiting periods so customers don’t wait until they need extensive dental work done to sign up for a plan and then cancel the policy after the procedure is done. Does Beam have waiting periods?Fortunately, standard Beam plans do not come with waiting periods*. An employer may choose to implement a waiting period, but Beam does not require one. We want our members to be able to use their benefits as soon as their policy begins! This is one of several plan features that separates Beam from other insurers. In addition to no waiting periods, we also offer plans with:
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*Actual coverage and costs may vary. Check your dental plan to see what services may be covered. For informational purposes only and not intended to be relied on as complete information, or to be construed as tax, legal, investment or medical advice. This is not a sale of or an offer to purchase a benefits plan from Beam. For more information on benefits plans, contact . Dental insurance products underwritten by National Guardian Life Insurance Company† (NGL), marketed by Beam Insurance services LLC, and administered by Beam Insurance Administrators LLC (Beam Dental Insurance Administrators LLC, in Texas). Dental policy form series numbers NDNGRP 04/06, NDNGRP 2010, and NDNGRP 2020. Not all Products Available in All States. Dental in New York is underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company. † National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, a.k.a. The Guardian, or Guardian Life. BM-BLG-0004-202104 The truth is that most people don’t understand health insurance. To add to that, they don’t know the many insurance terms that may make sense to carriers and providers that seem like a foreign language. Two phrases that may confuse you are “waiting period” and “effective date”. Not understanding them makes it hard to pick the right plans for you and your family. So, let’s drill down to understand how a dental insurance waiting period works versus effective dates. What is a waiting period? A dental insurance waiting period is the amount of time that you must wait after buying your dental insurance before you can access your full coverage. During this time, your carrier will only pay for certain procedures. This period can last from a couple of months to an entire year. Not all dental insurance plans include a waiting period, which allows you to quickly receive the care and coverage you need. However, many do. So, it's important that you read your policy carefully or ask questions to determine if you can access all your coverage immediately. If not, how long before you can? Which dental procedures or categories are usually impacted by a waiting period? Dental insurance procedures fall into three main categories: preventive, basic and major. Procedures that fall into each category may vary per plan and per insurance company. What you will find is that you can receive full coverage for some categories of services from the very moment your plan becomes effective. For other categories, getting coverage may take a while. Here’s a basic description of the categories: Preventive care, such as exams, x-rays and routine cleanings are typically not subject to a waiting period. Therefore, you can start receiving coverage as soon as your policy becomes effective. Additionally, these services are usually covered at a 100 percent. Basic services can include extractions, root canals, fillings and treatment for gum disease. These may be subject to a waiting period. So, if you know you need these services, be sure to check your policy to see if you must wait for a time before you can get coverage. Major services are generally more involved, more expensive and most likely to be subject to a waiting period. These can go from a few months up to 12 months. So, if you know that you or the members of your family may need a bridge, crowns, dentures or inlays, you want to review your plan documents or ask when you can start getting coverage for these. An Effective Date The effective date is the date that your insurance policy goes into effect. This date is typically the first day of the month following your completed application and payment. For example, if you enroll or submit your plan changes by December 15, 2020, your effective date of coverage would be January 1, 2021. This may be different per plan and per carrier. While you have more choices than you have ever had before, selecting the right dental plan for you and your family is far from simple. It can be challenging to understand insurance in general, including the common phrases and terms they use. But don’t lose heart! The solution to this problem is found in an old proverb, which says, “The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” The “eating an elephant” part aside, at the heart of this analogy is the idea that the best way to accomplish a big goal is breaking it up into smaller tasks. In the same way, you will begin to understand insurance if you take it one phrase or word at a time.
What is meant by the waiting period?What Is a Waiting Period? A waiting period is the amount of time an insured must wait before some or all of their coverage comes into effect. The insured may not receive benefits for claims filed during the waiting period. Waiting periods may also be known as elimination periods and qualifying periods.
What is the typical waiting period?Most insurance companies allow you to set your waiting period anywhere between 0-90 days (90 days is the maximum allowed by law). One of the most common waiting periods (and what we recommend if you're unsure) is the 1 of the month following 30 days of employment.
What is a waiting period in health insurance?In simple words, waiting period in health insurance plans is the period for which you need to wait before getting the insurance benefits, hence the name. It begins from the date of policy commencement, and the insured cannot claim health insurance benefits during this time.
Is there a waiting period for fillings?Yes! As mentioned above, there are no waiting periods for either diagnostic services, such as x-rays, or preventive services, like cleanings. In most cases, major dental work, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures, has a waiting period of 6,12, or 24 months.
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What does a waiting period mean for dental insurance
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