When you’re self-employed, you’re used to making big decisions for yourself, especially when it comes to your dental and vision insurance because an employer isn’t there to cover those benefits for you.
Although it might be a little scary to think about the costs of buying insurance for yourself and your family, the great news is that there are a lot of affordable choices available for people just like you. When it comes to dental and vision insurance options, you don’t need to miss out, and you don’t need to break the bank to get the coverage you want.
To tackle this important topic, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions surrounding self-employed insurance. Check out the information below to see how easy it is to make sure you’ll be able to maintain your oral and vision health.
Can I Buy Dental Insurance on My Own?
Absolutely! Self-employed insurance plans are available to entrepreneurs and those who run their own businesses, as well as those who work as freelancers or independent contractors. You don’t need to be traditionally employed to get high-quality, comprehensive coverage!
In fact, when searching for dental and vision insurance for self-employed individuals, you’ll likely realize that you can get similar plans to those that employers can buy for their employees.
Does Self-Employed Health Insurance include Dental?
As you shop for health insurance, you might find plans that include dental coverage. This may be a convenient option if you want to get everything from a single provider, with one premium to pay each month. Just be sure to read the details so you’re aware of any limitations.
Alternatively, you can search for separate dental insurance plans that don’t come as part of your health insurance package. You might discover that a standalone dental plan provides you with the level of coverage that you prefer, at a price you can afford.
What Is the Best Insurance for Self-Employed Workers?
The best insurance for individuals who are self-employed is one that’s affordable and comprehensive. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you look at the options that are available:
Self-employed dental insurance plans
- There are different types of dental insurance plans, such as HMOs, PPOs, and indemnity plans. Each has its own pros and cons to consider. For example, compared to an HMO, you might have more freedom to use a dentist that’s out-of-network with a PPO, but you may not get the same amount of support as you would if you went to an in-network provider. On the other hand, with an indemnity plan, you might be able to choose any dentist you want, and the insurer will cover a percentage of the cost.
- With dental insurance, there are different categories of care that you can receive. These are known
as preventive care, basic procedures, and major services. Coverage for each category will vary from one
plan to another. For example, an insurer might cover 100% of preventive care, 70% of basic procedures, and 50% of major services, and you’d be
responsible for anything that the insurer doesn’t cover.
- If you have a particular dentist that you want to continue using, it’s wise to search for a plan they accept. It’s also a good idea to check if you’d need to get a referral to see a specialist.
- Dental insurance plans typically come with various out-of-pocket costs, such as a monthly premium, co-pay, deductible, and coinsurance. And there may also be an annual maximum that dictates how much the insurer is willing to spend each year to help you get the care you need.
Self-employed vision insurance plans
- As is the case with dental plans, a vision plan will come with out-of-pocket costs, such as a monthly premium, deductible, copay, and coinsurance, and there might also be limits on the amount of support you can receive annually.
- Vision plans might have limits on the types of coverage that they provide for things like exams, glasses and contacts, and laser vision correction procedures.
- It’s a great idea to see if there are limits in coverage if you see an out-of-network provider, or if you need a referral to see a specialist. If there’s an eye care professional that you want to continue using, consider enrolling in one of the plans that they accept.
Is Dental Insurance Deductible for Self-Employed People?
Are dental insurance premiums deductible for self-employed individuals? Yes, in the same way that you may be able to deduct the costs of health insurance and medical care, you might be able to take advantage of a self-employed dental insurance deduction and/or vision insurance deduction come tax time. Plus, you might be able to deduct some of the out-of-pocket costs that you incurred throughout the year when receiving dental and vision care.
Discuss this with your accountant or a tax expert for personalized guidance, as that is the best way to determine if you qualify for these types of deductions, which might help you save money.
Start Shopping for the Best Insurance for Self-Employed Pros!
It’s extremely important to take great care of your teeth and gums, as well as your eyes and vision. But dental and vision costs can quickly add up when you’re paying for them completely out-of-pocket, Thankfully, there are low-cost vision plans, as well as affordable dental insurance plans for self-employed people.
When it comes to getting self-employed dental insurance, or vision insurance for self-employed professionals, the process is straightforward. You can use resources like the Direct Benefits Marketplace to browse the many options that are available in your area, and you can compare plans to see which ones suit your needs, preferences, and budget best. Then, once you’ve made a decision, you can enroll quickly and easily, at any time of year, and start reaping the benefits of your coverage before you know it.