Dental Discount Plan

Dental Discount Plan versus Insurance

Although a discount dental plan may be used in conjunction with a dental insurance policy in some cases, many people who purchase a discount plan do so because they cannot afford monthly premiums for a dental insurance plan. Self-employed people and those whose employers do not provide dental insurance often turn to a dental discount plan to make necessary dental procedures more affordable.

• Dental Discount Plans usually have one flat annual fee. The amount of the discount and the member's choice of a provider depend on which policy is chosen and which company the plan is purchased from.

• Dental Insurance Plans have monthly premiums, which vary according to the insurance company and the amount of money the insured is willing to spend in deductibles and co-payments.

Some employers provide dental discount plans to their employees in lieu of an insurance plan. Although dental discount companies often tout their plans as being superior to insurance plans, it is important to realize that with a discount plan there will always be an out-of-pocket expense. This is not always so with insurance plans, because with some plans there are no deductibles or co-payments as long as the monthly premium is paid.

Finding a Plan

Several companies provide discount plans, including:

• Aetna Dental
• Proactive Dental
• Dental Care Advantage
• Patriot Plan Plus

This is merely a small portion of the many companies that are in the business of providing discount dental plans. The best way to find a plan without needing to wade through hundreds of companies' websites is to visit a website that provides information on discount dental companies in the local area. Potential customers will visit one of these sites and input zip code information in order to receive information on several companies offering services in the local region.

Coverage

The coverage which members receive varies depending upon the plan they choose, but the following procedures are commonly discounted with a plan:

• Dental exams
• Dental cleanings
• Some orthodontic procedures
• Some dental surgeries
• Fillings

In order to receive the discounts, members are limited to the providers within the network who accept the plan.

Do It Yourself

A discount plan can be a great idea for people who do not have access to dental insurance, or who do not have adequate coverage from the dental insurance plan they currently have. People who find themselves in the situation of not having dental insurance but who need dental care do not necessarily need a dental discount plan in order to obtain affordable dental insurance. Some dentists are willing to discount services if they are asked by patients, especially if the patients are paying cash, because this eliminates the need for costly insurance paperwork processing.

This is certainly not to say that a discount dental plan is not a good idea – to the contrary, it can be a great idea for people who cannot obtain dental insurance. In many cases, however, discounts can be obtained without paying an annual fee to a discount dental company.