Why is the co-pay for dental insurance more expensive than health insurance?

2fine4u: Why is the co-pay for dental insurance more expensive than health insurance?
I compared the co pays on several reputable dental insurance companies and it is very expensive. Many things are not covered, even with the best dental insurance. Health insurance is usually a 10 dollar co pay for primary physicians and a 35-50 dollar co pay for specialty physicians. Is there any reason why dental insurance co pay is as expensive as it is?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Jennifer
You only go to the dentist one or twice a year if you don’t have any problems, and even if you do have a problem, you only go a few times more than that. I’d rather pay 10 dollars for a physician because I go there more often than I do the dentist.

Also, dental care is really, really expensive, and it’s hard for dental insurance companies to make money because people put the dentist last on their list of places to go unless they’re in unbearable agony.

Braces cost $ 5,000 and up where I live, and even a regular teeth cleaning costs three figures. We have a good friend who is a dentist, and he has a hard time earning a living because people put off going, and when they do come they don’t like to have any work done anyway.

I’m sure there are many other reasons for the copays being so high, but this is just my experience.

Answer by ISOintelligentlife
Actually, the only time the copays are so low for health insurance is when you’re dealing with those high-dollar plans provided by a lot of employers. (At least those are the types of plans that were provided be employers in the past; that’s changing significantly because of the cost involved.) Trust me, these are FAR from the “norm.”

As for dental insurance, the fact is that there are nearly as many organized networks for dental providers as there are for medical providers (where belonging to as many networks as possible is the best way to ensure you keep new clients coming in to your practice.) Dental insurance, by comparison to what you pay for medical coverage (particularly of the variety you mention) is also CHEAP. And I don’t know very many people who would pay triple the price for dental insurance so they could get the $ 10 copay. In the end, it’s really that simple.

Answer by Mike
Because the cost of dental insurance is usually so low….

Answer by Melissa
Generally, people don’t buy dental insurance unless they are going to have extensive work done so it’s a heavily used product. Unlike medical, people can put off having dental work done (except emergencies) so it’s easier to plan to be insured when it’s needed and that throws off the “unknown” that is usually a part of insurance purchases. So, it’s priced and copays set with a little more cost shifted to the consumer.

Answer by LI Guy
Generally speaking people go to the dentist more than they do a general doctor. Most dental plans cover 2 visits a year. I have not been to the docter in over 2 years.

Answer by Christie
You’re wrong about medical copays. Some are still $ 10, but most copays have been getting higher and higher. Currently, I’m paying a $ 25 copay, and I have excellent health insurance.

Typically there are no “copays” with dental coverage. You would be covered at 100% for preventative services, with no deductible. Basic restorative services are subject to deductible (usually around $ 50) and then paid at 80%, so you owe the remaining 20%. Major services are also subject to deductible, and then payable at 50%.