An effective date refers to the date on which a dental insurance policy becomes active and the coverage of dental services begins for the plan enrollee. It is set by the insurance company for a specific date after the insurance application is submitted and the first premium is paid. An example of an effective date would be an insurance company stating that their dental coverage begins the first day of the month after the insurance application is submitted and approved. It is common for businesses to have employees sign-up for insurance coverage during an open enrollment period in the late fall with the effective date for the benefits being the first day of the coming new year.
Even though a dental plan is active, there may be a waiting period for coverage of some more expensive services. A waiting period is a temporary delay on the coverage of specific dental services. For example, a dental plan may make an enrollee wait a few months from the effective date before coverage of a crown becomes available.
Our knowledgeable customer service team will assist you with any questions you may have prior to enrolling in a dental plan. They can guide you through the process of choosing coverage that matches your needs as well as your budget.
