Discount dental plans are designed for individuals, families and groups who want to save money on their dental care needs. Generally, there is a network of participating dentists and dental specialists for members to choose from, giving the patient time to pick the right dentist for him/her. All dentists within the network agree to charge a discounted fee to plan members. Discount dental plans are not insurance plans, however they can save you up to 60% on both routine and major dental care, and in some cases they can be used in conjunction with dental insurance to reduce dental care costs further.
It costs a dentist money and time to fill out dental insurance forms to finance a patient’s dental work. Plus, once the paperwork is done and filed, it takes an additional 45-90 days before the dentist is paid for their services. Occasionally, claims are turned down or rejected after the dentist has performed the work. This can be extremely frustrating for dentists, and could be the reason why more and more are joining discount dental plan networks.
Dentists generally charge one price for a certain type of procedure. For example, let’s say a dentist charges $75 for a teeth cleaning. Depending on what type of coverage the patient has, they are either going to
- Pay the $75 in total at the time of service,
- Show a membership card to the dental staff and receive the discounted price, or
- Pay a co-pay of $10 (example) for the services and let the insurance company handle the rest
Did you know that seven out of ten people do not have some form of dental coverage in the United States? This means, that seven out of ten people are paying the full $75 to have their teeth cleaned. However, by joining a discount dental plan they can receive additional savings (20-80%). For instance, depending on the dental plan one chooses that $75 could turn into $40 instead. The last bullet describes those who have dental insurance.
But remember, even if you have insurance, you can still join discount dental plans and use both at the same time (if the dentist is a participating dentist), saving you additional money.
Discount Dental Plan Benefits
Here’s a look at some of the additional benefits discount dental plans can offer:
- Pre-existing conditions are covered
- No exclusions
- No deductibles
- No waiting periods to start treatment
- You may choose any dentist within the network
- Do not have to continue treatment with one dentist if you’re unhappy
- You receive a discount on all work you receive
- Monthly premiums are significantly lower than dental insurance premiums
- Carry a membership card with you and show it to receive benefits
- Cosmetic procedures are usually covered
- Great alternative to dental insurance (even through an employer)
- Can include parents, adult children or anyone living in your household
- Usually multiple plans you can choose from
There are usually no restrictions set on your discount dental plan since the dental plan administrators are only providing you with lower dental care costs and are not paying for your expenses. In fact, it’s because of these reasons that dental insurance companies place annual deductibles and limits on their plans.
Discount dental plans are a great way to save money while maintaining proper oral health through routine procedures such as check-ups, teeth cleanings, x-rays and fillings. Without any dental coverage it’s easy to put off those important check-ups, that is why it’s so important to have it.
