Retiring to Florida? Know your Dental Plan Options

As a retiree, you have decided to make a big change by relocating to sunny Florida. Relocating at any point in life is stressful. There are so many details, lists and tasks to track.

Make sure that once your move is complete, you take time to sign up for new dental insurance. It may not seem like something high on the priority list when getting settled. However, keeping up your dental care shouldn’t fall through the cracks.

To ease your new dental plan decision making and know your dental plan options, we have listed helpful hints for retirees moving to Florida—what to look for in dental insurance in Florida.

First, consider current and future dental health needs.

Before we look at Florida’s dental insurance options, it may help to take a moment to consider the current state of your dental health and foreseeable dental health needs. This information will lay the groundwork for your dental insurance plan decision-making.

• Consider whether you have a preexisting condition—such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease—which may affect your dental health as you age.
• Ask your pharmacist whether any medications you may be taking might affect your oral health.
• Consult with your current dentist about any other considerations, such as gum health, enamel health or dry mouth.

Next, review Florida’s dental insurance options.

Florida has four types of dental insurance plans: PPO, Indemnity, Indemnity with PPO and Prepaid. Three key differences among the plans may help your decision-making:

1. Prepaid dental plans cover dental care provided only by dentists within their networks. The other three types of plans cover dental care provided by any dentist.
2. The plans have varying costs depending on whether or not you choose an in-network dentist (where that is an option), whether you have fixed copayments and the amount of your deductible.
3. Two plans—PPO dental and Prepaid—offer preventive care at low or no charge.

Here are the major things to know about each type of plan:

PPO Dental Plan

• Your cost is lower when you use network dentists.
• Preventive care: no charge for most in-network care. All other care: you meet annual deductible and then pay a percentage of the cost.
• Orthodontia: covered.

Indemnity

• You have a deductible to meet and then pay a percentage of the cost for the services you receive.

Indemnity with PPO

• Your cost is lower when you use network dentists.
• An annual deductible must be met before the plan starts paying benefits, and then you pay a percentage of the cost for the services you receive.
• Orthodontia: adults not covered.

Prepaid plans

• Pays benefits only when you use network providers.
• No deductible or annual maximum.
• Most preventive care at no charge.
• You pay a fixed copayment for dental procedures listed on the copayment schedule.
• Orthodontia: covered.

Be sure to think about both coverage and cost considerations as you choose your new dental insurance plan.

Last, review plan options while keeping in mind your new Florida location.

There are two more considerations before finalizing your dental insurance plan choice.

1. Distance to a hospital.

Are you moving to a city with a hospital? If so, any reputable dentist would be an appropriate choice.

If, however, you will be living in a more rural area, you might consider choosing a dentist nearer to a hospital in the event of a medical emergency—especially if your initial considerations about the state of your general health and your oral health may have led you to think about potential oral health issues on the horizon.

2. The potential need for more than just routine dental care.

If you believe you may need dental crowns, dentures or implants, or deep gum cleaning, it may be wise to join a plan with a network of providers who specialize in your specific oral health needs.

Remember, too, that each year there is an open enrollment period during which you can change your dental insurance plan and your provider. Just note that if you are changing to a new dental network, make sure that your dentist is a member of the new network, too.

Retiring to Florida is an exciting change, but one that comes with many new choices. Be sure that a dental insurance plan is near the top of your to-do list as soon as the move is complete, so you can keep your great smile as you meet new friends and neighbors.