If you want dental insurance but the cost is making you reconsider, you might be interested in a discount dental plan. We’ll explore this type of dental plan, including what’s covered, what’s not, and how much you can expect to pay:
Discount dental plans (also known as reduced fee-for-service plans) aren’t a type of insurance. Instead, they offer discounts on dental services with a group of participating dentists. Essentially, you can enjoy basic dental care without needing to invest in a costly insurance plan or paying the full cost of the service, as with a discount plan, they are offered at a reduced rate.
The proportion of the fee that you need to pay with a discount dental plan is likely to be more than the proportion you’ll pay in a PPO or DHMO insurance plan. However, you won’t have to pay a deductible, and there aren’t any annual limits to worry about. Plus, their monthly premiums are much lower than other types of dental insurance plans.
Discount dental plans tend to provide coverage for all types of dental care. Preventative (x-rays, cleaning, routine exams), basic (fillings) and major (root canals, crowns, dentures, complex oral surgery) procedures will all be discounted, although the rates at which they’re discounted by depends upon the specifics of your plan.
Although specialist dental treatments may be available, many discount dental plans won’t include them. Before you choose a plan, you should check to see whether the treatment that you need is included. If you’re an elderly person, for instance, you should try to find a plan which covers dentures.
There are plenty of reasons why a discount dental plan might be the right choice for your oral healthcare needs:
However, discount dental plans aren’t without drawbacks:
Many people find that the costs that they end up paying for their dental insurance aren't proportionate to the number of claims that they make. Over a long period, the money can mount up, and you might find that downscaling your dental plan is a better option. Discount dental plans offer an alternative solution. Instead of paying high premiums, deductibles and having your dental care capped with an annual maximum, a discount dental plan is a great way to maintain a high standard of dental care while saving money.
Looking for a discount dental insurance dentist in your local area? Get in touch with 1-800-DENTIST today!