What is a Premium?

A premium is a fee you pay monthly, quarterly or annually for your dental insurance coverage.

If you have dental insurance through your job, your employer might pay the full premium or split it with you. Or you may pay it in full. Your payroll department will deduct the premium (or your portion) from your pre-tax earnings and pay the dental insurance company.

If you purchase dental insurance directly from an insurance company like Delta Dental of Arkansas, you will typically pay the premiums via bank drafts or credit cards.

Examples:

• Premiums can vary based on the type of plan, number of covered individuals and location.
• Basic dental plans tend to have low premiums but may not offer the coverage you need. Premium dental plans come with higher premiums and more extensive dental benefits, such as higher annual maximums or orthodontia.

FAQs

• Are premiums the same as out-of-pocket expenses? No, premiums are regular payments you make, while out-of-pocket expenses are costs you pay when receiving dental care.
• Should I select a dental insurance plan based on the monthly premium? While your budget is certainly important when choosing insurance coverage, you should first consider your oral health and dental care needs. For example, if you’re a single adult under 30 with excellent teeth who visits the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings, a basic plan with a low premium might be right for you. But if you require extensive dental work or you have dependents needing braces, a plan with higher premiums and more extensive coverage of dental treatments might be the better choice.

Example of Dental Premiums

These charts show the 2023/24 monthly premiums for different Delta Dental of Arkansas dental plans.

Individuals/families

Small Businesses

Delta Dental of Arkansas Offers Dental and Vision Insurance for Individuals and Groups

Are you interested in our dental coverage plans so you don’t have to pay the full dentist bill yourself? Check out our insurance options for individuals and families, and small, mid-size and large groups.

And while you’re browsing, take a look at our vision insurance, too.

More Dental Insurance Terms Explained

1. What is a premium?
2. What is a waiting period?
3. What is a network dentist?
4. What is a benefit period?
5. What are preventive/diagnostic, basic and major dental procedures?
6. What is a deductible?
7. What is a copay?
8. What is co-insurance?
9. What is an annual maximum?
10. What is a claim?
11. What is an explanation of benefits (EOB)?
12. What is a pre-determination of benefits?
13. What are out-of-pocket expenses?

Back to Dental Insurance Terms Explained: A Quick Guide

Are there additional dental insurance terms you’d like us to add to this series?

Email your requests to marketing@deltadentalar.com.