Dental Insurance Vs. Dental Plans
Posted by admin | Posted in Dental Insurance | Posted on 21-06-2009
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When people want to find a solution to covering their dental care expenses, many of them normally think of dental insurance. After all, we have or can have insurance for almost anything else, such as medical insurance, car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and many more. Therefore, people usually choose dental insurance and pay for a policy only to discover later on that this was not their best option, for several reasons.
First of all, your dental insurance is very likely not to cover any of the conditions you had prior to buying the policy. In other words, if an older dental problem is bothering you now, you’ll have to pay to get it fixed, although you have dental insurance. The waiting period before you can treat a pre-existing condition is somewhere around twelve months, but who can wait that long if the problem persists or gets worse? And not even after the waiting period is over can you be sure that your condition will no longer be considered ‘pre-existing’ and will be covered by your insurance. Moreover, the cost of dental insurance is rather high, the cheapest insurance possible being somewhere around $150, while some of the most expensive are around $ 600. You can imagine that the services covered vary according to the price of the dental insurance, so you shouldn’t expect too many coverings from a rather cheap insurance. Furthermore, cosmetic dentistry is not included in dental insurance; this is something you will have to pay for yourself.
Fortunately, all those who want to have access to affordable dental care can do so by joining dental plans. These are the far better option now, in light of what the dental insurance covers and how much it costs. The discount dental plans are not expensive to join, starting as low as $80 a year. If you want your whole family to join the discount dental plan, the price is even more convenient, beginning with about $ 130 a year.
But how do dental plans work? Well, you can join such a plan by paying a yearly fee and finding a dentist in your area who participates in a dental discount plan. It can be any dentist or dental specialist in the plan network, the choice is entirely up to you. Once you have joined a dental plan, there is no waiting period before you can have a dentist see you, there is no such thing as pre-existing condition (everything is treated) and there is no coverage limit.
What do dentals plans cover exactly? Pretty much everything, from preventative care and restorative care to periodontal, orthodontic and endodontic procedures, from oral surgery and infections to cosmetic dentistry. In other words, you can join a dental plan and visit a dentist the very next day for dental problems such as check-ups, cleanings, x-rays, root canals, caps, gum surgery, root planing, braces, retainers, bridges, dentures, veneers and teeth whitening.
All in all, if you are in need of immediate and decent dental care, at an affordable price, I suggest you weigh your options carefully and consider joining a dental plan, which comes with a lot more benefits and advantages.
For more resources about dental insurance or even dental plans please review this website http://dentalonlinebenefits.com.
Watch the video related to dental insurance
American Medical Review report on Ameriplan USA Business model
You need to be cautious about any dental plan. You will want to contact some of the dentist on the list to make sure they are taking the plan. If no list is provided consider it a scam.
Discount plans just give you a discount on the normal fee that a dentist will charge. There is no control over what the discount is. Very few dentist will actually accept a discount plan.
A fee-for-service discount plan has a schedule of fees that a participating dentist can charge, so you know before going in how much the charge will be, similar to the co-pay on your health insurance. These plans also publish this schedule so you will know what to expect before purchasing the plan.
With both plans no waiting period applies. Not so with regular dental insurance. With insurance there will be a waiting period before some procedures are covered. A typical plan will have a 6 month waiting period for basic services such as a filling to 18 months for major services such as a root canal. They also have a deductible and co-insurance that you will need to pay.
If you have good teeth and just want the basics you probably don't need any plan. A yearly cleaning and exam will cost you less without insurance.
You have four options with dental.
1. Visit a local dental school. You can get many procedures done for a reduced price if you're willing to let them practice on you and they actually do a very good job.
2. Insurance – Depending upon the policy: cost $30-$60 per month. You pay a $50 deductible first, they have an annual maximum that they'll pay per year of $750 – $1500, they have a waiting period up to 18 months for major work and then you're paying 50% of the charges. Example – average cost for a root canal in my area is $829. With insurance you pay $414 after paying 18 months of premium (around $800 or $900). Advantage – you can use any dentist with most plans.
3. Discount plans – Cost – $5-$12 per month. No deductible, no annual maximum and no waiting periods. Also, hardly any dentists will accept the plan and when they do you MIGHT get a 10% discount, which is about the same discount you can get by paying cash. Example – average cost for a root canal in my area is $829. With discount plans you pay around $746. Be very wary of these plans because most are scams. The people that sell these plans have little or no knowledge about health & dental insurance and do not need a license to sell them. The plans are not regulated by the state so you have no recourse when you have problems. Some states are starting to ban these plans from being sold. Here is an informative link http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2006/11/22/74554.htm concerning these plans.
4. Fee for Service discount plans – Cost $7-$15 per month. No deductible, no annual maximum and no waiting periods. Many dentist will accept the plan (check providers first before signing up with any plan). When you use the plan there is a set fee that the dentist will charge you. Example – average cost for a root canal in my area is $829. With fee for service plans you pay as little as $404.
I'm an insurance agent and my personal plan is the fee for service plan. I got mine here http://www.dpbrokers.com/default.aspx?locationid=20349 specifically the Aetna Dental Access plan but which one you get depends upon your area and comparing the fee schedule to find the best for what you need covered.
healthplans.my-age.net – my family have this health insurance. It is affordable and has good coverage for dental issues.
The key is finding one that fits your budget and great coverage for you family. Your right in the average price for orthodontic treatment. I would recommend this site to you: http://www.healthsavings.ourperfectcard.com I signed up online over 5 years ago and they have saved me thousands since $$. From my Braces, to exams, xrays, extractions..etc. all services are included in this very very affordable plan. Even cosmetic surgery and denture treatment. I have used it so many times for my family, its been great. My benefits were active in 2 hours and was able to use it the very same day. Hope this helps.
health-quotes.isgreat.org – I switched to this health insurance from them, cause it gives much cheaper rates for mе.
Remember you get what you pay for. an old dentist i knew once said "you can hide a multitude of sins in someone's mouth"
I'd go to the "good" dentists and pay out of pocket, work overtime, do whatever it took. there is nothing more miserable than bad dental work and a toothache.
There is a reason those people have the HMO plans, they can't get patients any other way!
You're dentist's treatment plan is not something that has to all be done this year. I'm sure your dentist understands that you can't afford to do all this work at once & is used to doing so much per benefit year. Ask him/her what they think needs to be done ASAP and make sure you're using all of your $2000 from your insurance for this year and then go ahead and schedule next years work right now so that way you're ready. Also, most dentists are ok with you "pre-paying", meaning you just send a little bit at a time so that way some of your work is already paid off. Another thing to consider is to check out: http://www.carecredit.com
Hope this little bit of information helps.
A lot of these questions will be best answered by the people at the dental clinic. I'm not sure what the dental discount plan is they offer, but the folks in the business office can explain that to you. The insurance might be worth the investment, since it will pay a portion of the cost, for repairs and such that are covered. That will mean less out of your pocket at the end of the day, and may mean you can afford a crown as opposed to the extraction for instance. I've had plenty of dental work done at dental school clinics, some of the most advanced care at that. I have enamel hypoplasia, and most of my teeth were either malformed or missing, something most regular dentists only read about when in school and don't see a lot of in practice. So a dental school means I have access to the real experts at the cutting edge of things. The student dentists are supervised carefully, and the professors are always at hand to step in if needed. And yes, you can be sedated if it's needed. Student dentists have to learn that procedure as well, so it is done. You just have to arrange that at the clinic. As far as your fears, well- dentist get pretty accustomed to not being the most popular people around and they are not surprised when you are afraid. To be honest, I always found the student dentists to be a little more sympathetic about it. For one thing, they are still excited about their career, and have the time to be patient with you. They don't have to be concerned about things like the office overhead cost, or squeezing in all the patients they can to cover the payroll. Your care is really the only thing they have to be concerned about. So I say go for it. Talk to the business office about costs, see an insurance agent about a policy, and talk with your dentist there at the clinic. I'm sure you won't find the experience to be nearly as traumatic as you dread. It might not be the most fun you ever had, but it shouldn't be any where close to the worst experience either.
When you don’t have money to get the care you need:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/financialassistance.html
http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/
http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=18
http://www.hrsa.gov/help/default.htm
http://www.thefrugallife.com/medicalalternative.html
http://www.google.com/search?q=Free+Low+Cost+Medical+Health+Services+&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&start=10&sa=N
Free and low cost prescription medication:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?section=about_medications&Template=/ContentManagement/contentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=19169
http://www.themedicineprogram.com/links.html
This is about FREE hospitalization, if you need it and they WILL help you!
http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm
Hill Burton Hotline
1-800-638-0742
(1-800-492-0359 in Maryland)
In 1946, Congress passed a law that gave hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities grants and loans for construction and modernization. In return, they agreed to provide a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay and to make their services available to all persons residing in the facility’s area. The program stopped providing funds in 1997, but about 300 health care facilities nationwide are still obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care.
http://www.hrsa.gov/help/default.htm
How to apply for Medicaid or medicare
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidEligibility/
http://www.aarp.org/money/lowincomehelp/applying_for_medicaid.html
For information about Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
http://www.ssa.gov/
For information about Medicaid, contact your local social service or welfare office. You can also find information about Medicare and Medicaid at http://www.CMS.gov
How To Pay for Mental Health Services
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN98-0050/default.asp
http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx.htm
Additional Public Benefits for Families Raising Children: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/financialassistance.html
DENTAL HELP:
Free or low cost dental care United States
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/53F91091-23DB-47F3-8782-6572C33F9D42/0/LowCostFactsheet.pdf
http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/dental/dentalfaq.php
FREE AND LOW COST DENTAL HELP FOR DENTURES , BROKEN TEETH , PAIN , ETC.
http://dental-assistance.app-sl-1.aidpage.com/dental-assistance/
Need eyeglasses or eye care?
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/financialaid.asp
http://www.uniteforsight.org/freeclinics.php
How to Get a Free or Low Cost Pap Smear, The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides free or low cost Pap smears to eligible women across the country. Through this program, uninsured and impoverished women can receive Pap smears at local clinics and doctor's offices.
Here’s a list for every state:
http://cancer.about.com/od/screeninganddiagnosis/a/freepapsmear.htm
Where can I go to get free or reduced-cost prenatal care?
You can call this number if you need free birth control help, too!
Women in every state can get help to pay for medical care during their pregnancies. This prenatal care can help you have a healthy baby. Every state in the United States has a program to help. Programs give medical care, information, advice and other services important for a healthy pregnancy.
To find out about the program in your state:
·Call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229) This toll-free telephone number will connect you to the Health Department in your area code
·For information in Spanish, call 1-800-504-7081
·Call or contact your local Health Department.
Private dental insurance is far superior to a discount dental plan. The problem is that dental insurance is also far more expensive than a discount plan… which is why it's superior!
Most people who have dental insurance get it through their employer who is able to purchase it at group rates making it substantially less expensive then when purchased privately. On the other hand, a discount dental plan costs only a fraction of what dental insurance costs making it very affordable this book because it eliminates the dental insurance company as a middleman and passes the savings on to it's members.
Below is a very interesting article comparing dental insurance to discount dental plans. What it boils down to is dental insurance is better when purchased at group rates (such as through work or may be a credit union) but when you have to buy dental coverage on an individual basis, your best bet is a good discount plan as its far more affordable.
Dental Ins' Compared To Discount Plans (http://www.discountdental4u.net/compared2.htm )