.

Dental Plans - Dental Plans: Dental Insurance versus Discount Dental Plans

Many of us realize that routine dental care is an important aspect of maintaining general overall health. While dental insurance is often available for people who work for large companies, dental discount plans are appearing as an alternative. The differences between these two approaches to dental care may help you decide which approach works best for you and your family.

Dental Insurance

Large employers often offer dental insurance . In the past, employers often covered insurance premiums for dental care. However, with the cost of insurance on the rise, more and more employers are requiring the employee to pay at least a portion of the premium for their dental plan.

Dental insurance may allow a policyholder to use the services of any dentist. However, many dentists do not accept the lower payments offered by dental insurance carriers . That leaves the patient to deal with the paperwork required for a claim and pay for the services up front. Additionally, it is common for dental insurance to limit payment for treatments for pre-existing conditions and cosmetic procedures are rarely covered.

It is not uncommon for dental insurance to also have annual deductible amounts in addition to per-visit co-pays and limited reimbursement for procedures.

Dental Discount Plans

Discount dental plans are very similar to dental insurance. However, there are significant differences that make them very attractive, including plan cost, ease of use and variety of treatment procedures covered.

Dental discount plans are commonly referred to simply as ‚”dental plans.‚” Dental plans are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact that fewer employers are offering health benefits that include dental insurance. Additionally, instead of paying monthly premiums, dental plans allow an individual to pay a flat rate, usually on a yearly basis. They may choose a plan that covers just themselves or their entire family.

Dental plans also offer ease of use. Simply choose a provider from the list of general dentists , family dentists, orthodontists or cosmetic dentists and make an appointment. These providers have a pre-negotiated reimbursement rate with the dental plan and many will only charge the reduced rate, eliminating the annual deductibles and payment hassles associated with dental insurance.

Another benefit of dental plans is the wide variety of procedures allowed. Unlike dental insurance, services for cosmetic dentistry are included under most plans, including teeth whitening, veneers and implants. Additional services may include orthodontic treatment for adults.

Summary

Dental discount plans and dental insurance are both important considerations for individuals wanting to receive regular dental care for themselves and their families. With fewer and fewer employers offering health benefits that include dental insurance, many people are looking for cost effective alternatives for their dental care. One of the newer options is a dental plan that offers discounts for dental services, including many services that are not usually covered by traditional dental insurance. These services include cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening , veneers or dental implants. Additionally, many dentists accept discounted rates for routine dental care services such as services provided by a dental hygienist, plus placement of crowns, bridges, x-rays and other services.