Dental Plan Discounts
When
looking for dental insurance, the most important thing to understand is
the difference between dental insurance and dental discount plans.
If
you have access to dental insurance, it's a good idea to elect coverage
- you never know what your dental needs will be, and coverage can save
you thousands of dollars. But if you cannot get dental coverage through
work, don't despair - there are other options available to you.
If your employer does not offer dental coverage, you might be able to buy an individual  dental
insurance policy. However, there is no guarantee that the insurance
company will offer you a policy - if you have made a large number of
claims in the past, you can be denied. Furthermore, the premiums
charged can be expensive.
A
number of companies offer dental discount plans. For a monthly or
annual fee, you get access to a network of dentists who will work for
discounted rates. There are no guarantees that your dentist will
provide services for the discounted rate for the entire term of your
plan membership.
Before
deciding to purchase dental insurance, talk with your dentist regarding
the extent of your treatment plan. This way you can decide if you would
be better off with or without dental insurance. A very important factor
to remember regarding any dental insurance plan is that dental
insurance is not at all similar to medical
insurance. The majority of dental insurance plans are designed with the
the purpose of only covering the basic dental care around $1000.00 -
$1500.00 (about the same amount that they covered 30 years ago) per
year and is not intended to provide comprehensive coverage like that of medical insurance.
Dental
insurance can be an effective way to prevent damage to your teeth and
gums, but when determining what dental insurance plan would fit you
best, it is important not to just look for cheap and affordable dental
insurance. Besides cost, there are other factors you will want to
consider before choosing your next dental insurance plan. Below are
four of the top questions to ask yourself before choosing dental
insurance.
Your Dental Plan Insight
1. Can I choose my own dentist?
Just like health insurance, some dental insurance plans will restrict
you to only certain dentists while others will give you your choice.
So, if you have a favorite dentist and s/he does not fall into the
cheap dental insurance category, it may be worth it to you to pay a
little extra for the dental insurance that includes your favorite
dentist.
2. Will my dentist and I get to choose the best treatment for me?
Some dental insurance plans will restrict payment to the cheapest
treatment for a condition, although there may be other treatment
choices available.
3. What will be covered?
A good dental insurance plan should cover two cleanings a year with no
fee or office visit. X-rays and fluoride treatments are also usually
covered at no additional cost. The cost of other services are usually
split 50/50 with the insurance plan and patient, up to the plan's
maximum payout amount depending on the policy. But, if you are looking
for a more affordable dental insurance plan, you still can find good
plans with a little less coverage than above.
4. What will I pay?
Dental insurance is usually well worth the premium cost and will
average $30-$40.00 a month. An employer sponsored dental insurance plan
is usually the best deal and will cost a family much less than if they
paid for the dental procedures without dental insurance. Dental
discount plans run far less averaging $12-$14 per month for a family of
any size. Even if you opt for the cheaper and/or more affordable dental
discount plan, it will still be a far better savings over paying for
the procedures out of pocket
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