What Are the Features of a Good Discount Dental Plan?
Most
discount dental plans are structured so you go to the dentist of your choice, have the procedures you need done, use the services you want, and send a claim form to your dental insurance company to receive a discount on these services.
Other discount dental plans contract with a set of in-network preferred providers who accept one flat fee for their services on behalf of the patient. That’s payment in full, and discounts range from 10 to 50 percent less than what the dentist would normally charge.
General Cost Comparison
We compared 37 different discount dental insurance plans and did some math so you could see how much you might pay in a given year for dental insurance. Here are some numbers:
• The average amount for individual coverage is $116.83 per year ($9.73 per month).
• The average amount for family coverage is $165.36 per year ($13.78 per month).
• A family of four might pay $750 a year just for cleanings, exams, and x-rays. You can see how the savings add up quickly when you have a discount dental plan.
• Savings on these plans range from 20 percent for almost every procedure up to 100 percent on some procedures.
• Most plans offer a discount of 40-60 percent on the most common services, including orthodontics, periodontics, and of course preventive care.
By comparison, you could pay the premiums for every single one of these discount dental plans for less than the amount you would pay in premiums for an individual major medical policy. You could enroll in 37 dental insurance plans for the price of one medical plan! That’s truly amazing.
Save At Least 20 Percent on Elective Procedures
Dental insurance companies lump everything beyond preventive care and occasional fillings in the elective procedure category, and usually offer discounts instead of full reimbursement. Determine what your family needs right now, and then find the plan that fits those needs now and in the future.
• Your kid may not need orthodontics (braces) now, but will she in four years?
• If you still have a wisdom tooth hanging out in your mouth, chances are it will need to be removed at some point by an oral surgeon.
• Endodontists perform extensive root canals, so if you or your spouse have neglected teeth, it is almost inevitable that a root canal procedure is in your future.
Some discount dental plans offer vision services, chiropractic care, and even discounts on prescription drugs and hearing devices. These incredible savings plans offer these extra bonuses because they realize if you had to pay for insurance on each thing your family needed, you could never afford it. Look into this “side” coverage for your discount dental plan.
A discount dental plan is the perfect way for health conscious consumers to maintain their dental health and minimize dental care expenses. The freedom of choice provided by these plans is priceless to most people, and this dental insurance is affordable even on an individual or family basis.