Hellobee Boards

Needing braces isn't usually an immediate need. Will you be able to change plans next year if your kids needs work? I'd go with the cheaper plan for now, and reassess later.

I'd probably go with A. Its saving you almost 450 (had done my math wrong, i get paid weekly) bucks per year (which you could use if you had to have work done). If it were me I'd probably boost my FSA contribution for next year, because odds are you'll use that FSA money for something (unlike the money that you'd be putting towards option B if you never ended up needing the extra coverage B provides) And you'll have some $$ for dental in the FSA should you need it.. I wouldn't opt for B until I was told by the dentist that your kid will need braces in the near future. I'd just keep asking the dentist for any indication that braces might be required, odds are you can wait 6 months or whatever until open enrollment.

I would do plan A for sure if you don't think you will need major work done this year! Regarding braces, my parents held me off for almost a year to get them when I was a kid because they realized I needed them a few months we moved and they didn't want to have me go to 2 different dentists with them. My teeth turned out awesome.

I didn't think I'd need major coverage at all this year, and got the cheaper coverage like always. Both federal plans, so good coverage. October 31, and I had some tooth pain. Found out I need $2000 worth of work that cannot wait until the new year. My coverage is 35% vs, the 50% on the high option. UGH! Never again. I wish I had just done the $20 a paycheck! It was $13 more!! Now look!

@Mamaof2: I'm also weighing our dental plan options. Like others have said, plan A seems like the most penny-wise choice for your family situation now, but like @dc yoga bee: points out, it's easy to max out benefits and pay a lot with just one adult tooth problem like a crown or root canal and bridge. Putting money in a FSA that rolls over would be smart and a good back-up plan. And like @MamaG: says, the plan B orthodontic coverage is amazing! Last thought: Make sure that plan A doesn't have any waiting periods that would be waived in plan B. Loopholes aka fine print on dental plans can be tricky like that.

Do you see your dentist regularly? We have a good relationship with ours so I called ours up to ask if they had an opinion. Turned out I needed to go with the more expensive one because their office was only going to be covered under the "premier" providers (the more expensive plan). May be worth a phone call to them!