|
Dental Discount Plan
Strictly speaking, dental discount plans aren't actually dental insurance. With these plans, there are no claim forms to submit, no arguments about pre-existing conditions, no deductibles to meet, no limits on the amount paid or the number of times the plan is used. In fact, patients are encouraged to get routine cleanings and examinations, which often prevents more costly, major procedures.
A dental discount plan is inexpensive. By paying a flat fee once a year, you can register as a member and gain access to all the dentists in the network. It's structured like a club, and members are able to visit any dentist within the network to receive treatment.
It's easy to find a dental discount plan under $15 per month that provides routine dental services for less than half the traditionally listed fees - and often much less - for services provided by dentists within the network Discounted fees have been negotiated and established by the company administering the network. Paperwork for the patient is minimal and the patient receives the same type of service as someone paying full price.
One of the advantages to a dental discount plan is the savings over listed fees. For some dental procedures, such as bridgework, a root canal, or orthodontics, the savings may be substantial. The main disadvantage is that you must use a dentist within the network, and not all dentists are eager to participate.
However, the national companies have networks of thousands of dental service providers, and all must be certified as licensed dentists for the specific region where they practice before they are able to sign on to provide dentistry for patients in the network. This takes the worry out of finding a qualified provider when away from home - another advantage to the dental discount plan.
For those people who travel frequently, having a national network is a real bonus. That means wherever in the U.S. they happen to be, there will be a dentist available under the dental discount plan for emergencies, such as a cracked tooth, repair of a filling, or gum infection. This eliminates the fear of having to go blindly shopping for a dentist while in the middle of an emergency, and then wondering if that choice was a reasonable one.
Some people may even travel to an area to have dental work done if they know of a particularly good dentist or for a considerable financial savings. Depending upon location, fees for work performed under a dental discount plan will vary. Some areas of the country generally have more expensive health care costs, and in those regions you should expect to pay more.
Dental insurance has become a nuisance for many dental practices, and some no longer will accept it. However, under a dental discount plan, that is not a worry. Participating dental offices will often post their fees, so that there are no financial surprises when receiving treatment. This is another reason why so many people have recently been enrolling in a dental discount plan.
|