Discount Dental Plans vs Insurance

Discount healthcare programs provide one part of the solution to the nation’s healthcare crisis by enabling consumers to purchase dental services at discounted rates. CBS News recently reported that 100 million Americans are currently without any dental coverage at all and are forced to pay full price when visiting the dentist.

For individuals and families without dental benefits, discount healthcare programs off substantial savings on dental services including services not typically covered by insurance programs.

Individual dental insurance is more expensive than group dental and individual dental insurance can come with waiting periods. Some discount dental plans would be a better fit for individuals than dental insurance. Discount dental plans typically have no waiting periods or claim forms and cost less that dental insurance. The discount plans offer a set fee schedule for dental procedures done by dentists and dental specialists within the network. People with discount plans receive big savings on procedures like cleanings, fillings, crowns, and root canals and also have coverage for cosmetic procedures like braces, bleaching and bonding.

Dental insurance and dental plans can complement each other to provide enhanced dental coverage. Dental insurance often has waiting periods of 6-12 months before major services are covered. Limits of $300 to $1000 annually  in maximum benefits coverage with insurance programs is not umcommon. With discount plans there are no limitations.

A client needing $20,000 worth of dental work with yearly limits of $1000 would have to wait 20 years for benefits to complete the needed dental work. Savings of 50% on the extra work would be very cost effective with the discount dental plan. Clients with a discount plan receive immediate savings with no paperwork to complete and with no limits on services.

To learn more about Discount dental plans visit www.1st-discount-dental.com or the National Association of Dental Plans.

Debbi Carroll, RN author, is a benefits consultatn that helps individuals and small business owners acquire health and dental benefits with AmeriPlan USA. Plans start as low as $14.95.