Kathleens Insurance Advice

If you purchase individual insurance rates can be sky high and when you factor in dental insurance it can be difficult to afford both. If you’re stuck between dental insurance rates that are too high to afford and no dental insurance at all, consider investigating a dental discount plan.

Benefits of a Dental Discount Plan
While discount plans vary, here are some of the general types of benefits you can expect:

• Deep discounts – many providers offer discounts of 10-60% depending on the procedure.
• No pre-existing condition waiting periods.
• No insurance paperwork or claim forms to deal with.
• Lots of plans to choose from – there are over 30 national and regional plans.
• Some plans offer discounts on specialist work like orthodontics.
• Low cost compared to dental insurance.

Shopping for a Dental Discount Program
Consider what type of dental work you typically need in a year. Then think about how you would afford emergency dental care. Based on your answers to those two questions you’ll have a good idea of the kind of coverage you’d like to buy. Some dental discount programs are bundled with discounts for other health providers as well. If you frequent the chiropractor, eye doctor or need assistance with your hearing then these bundled programs can be a great value.

Most companies offering dental discount programs can provide you with a comparison chart of the different programs available that can help you make a good decision.

How to Save with a Dental Discount Plan
Once you’re enrolled, saving with a discount plan is easy. Simply bring your discount card with you to your appointment. Present your card when you check in and your bill will be calculated with your discount. Be sure to pay that day for services rendered as that is an integral part of every discount plan – it’s payment due at time of service. If you need to extend payments you’ll need to charge your dental bill to a credit card.

The good news is that there are no insurance claim forms to fill out – no paperwork at all. Just present your card and pay your bill – it’s that easy.

A Few Shopping Tips
Before you sign up with a particular discount plan, be sure to check the following:

• What is the coverage area for the discount plan? Before you get too involved in investigating plan options, be sure you’re in a coverage area.
• Ask for the list of participating providers and see if your current dentist is on the list. If not, decide whether or not you’d be willing to switch dentists to take advantage of the plan.

If you need dental coverage for yourself and/or your family, a dental discount plan can be a great way to go. Instead of paying a monthly premium for services you may not use, you instead pay a small fee for guaranteed discounts when you need to visit a dentist. Some policies even cover orthodontics. So before you make the decision to go with dental insurance compare the benefits and costs to one or more dental discount plans – you’ll be glad you did.