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Dental savings plans are also called dental discount plans. They are affordable alternatives to dental insurance.
These plans offer discounted rates for dental services. They are provided by dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons within their network and are available for individuals or families.
With a dental discount plan, you can pay a monthly or annual fee (typically $100 to $200 per year) and automatically receive 10 to 60 percent savings on dental care. There are no copays, deductibles, or annual maximums.
Each doctor will charge a flat discounted fee for each service they perform. You’ll pay the discounted fee directly to the dentist, eliminating excessive paperwork.
Another benefit of dental discount programs is that there is no waiting period. It only takes a couple of days to sign up and gain access to their complete range of discounts. This way, you can wait until you need dental work to sign up for coverage.
A discount dental plan can save you 10% to 60% on dental procedures. There are no caps, limits, or restrictions. Learn more at DentalPlans.com.
Dental savings plans cover preventative and restorative dental work. They also cover specialist care provided by endodontists, orthodontists, and prosthodontists.
Many cosmetic dentistry procedures and prescription drugs are covered as well. Sometimes, an additional fee is charged for prescription coverage.
Common dental treatments that discount programs cover include:
Dental discount plans benefit people who don’t have access to health insurance, or whose health care plans don’t include dental coverage.
You and your family members will save money on every procedure that would require you to pay full price out of pocket.
Many traditional dental insurance plans won’t cover more than $2,000 per year. For expensive procedures, like root canals, this can be used up quickly.
Dental discount plans can act as supplemental savings plans when your dental insurance runs out. They can also provide supplemental coverage for people with Medicare, or people whose medical plans cap their coverage.
Anyone looking for savings on cosmetic dental procedures will also benefit from a discount plan. Insurance coverage typically does not apply to “elective” or “cosmetic” procedures. These are often quite expensive, so your savings from a discount program will far outweigh the cost of your membership fee.
Find the perfect discount plan for individuals or families at DentalPlans.com.
Similarities include:
Both require you to obtain treatment from a qualified doctor within their network. This requires you to do a bit of research to ensure there is a reputable doctor in your area before signing up.
You’ll receive discounted care for you and all your plan members. With insurance, you may have to pay a copayment, or pay the full price upfront and wait for a reimbursement from your insurance provider. With a discount plan, you’ll pay a flat rate directly to your doctor.
Both plans will require you to renew your coverage annually or monthly.
Differences include:
Insurance plans cover significantly fewer types of treatments. They usually will not cover elective or cosmetic procedures, but discount programs will.
Most insurance providers have annual coverage caps. This means they stop covering treatments after you spend a certain amount of money. This is typically between $1,000 and $2,000. Discount programs have no annual limits.
The average dental insurance premium is approximately $200 to $600 per year. Discount dental program membership fees average $100 to $150 annually.
Because you pay the dentist directly, you will not have to file any claim forms or other types of paperwork with a discount dental program. There is also no waiting period for coverage and eliminates any waiting for reimbursements.
NewMouth recommends using DentalPlans.com to find a dental discount plan. Their easy-to-use website helps you find different plans available in your area.
You can also search 'by dentist' if you want to find a plan that includes your favorite local dental office. You can use their compare plans feature to look at multiple plans.
The side-by-side comparison shows you the prices of common procedures, the number of participating dentists in your area, and any additional plan benefits.
Using your DentalPlans dental savings plan is a straightforward process. You’ll have access to a nationwide network of dentists that offer 10 to 60 percent savings on preventive and restorative treatments.
Here’s how the process works:
The first step is to buy a dental plan. To find your plan, you’ll have the choice to search by dentist, procedure, or savings directly on DentalPlan’s website.
If you search ‘by dentist,’ you can find the plans that your dentist (or dentists near you) accept. Searching ‘by procedure’ allows you to find plans that provide big savings on specific dental procedures. You can also search ‘by savings’ to compare the discounts you’ll receive with select plans.
After you select the plan, you can start using it to save on treatments. The membership card can take up to 72 hours to activate.
You only have to pay for the treatments you need. Simply show your membership card to your dentist (after making sure they accept it) to save on treatments. Unlike insurance, you don’t have to pay monthly, and there are no spending limits.
DentalPlans offers 30+ plans from trusted brands like Aetna and Cigna that can help you save on almost every dental procedure. However, not every plan is created equal.
For example, some plans cover preventive care like teeth cleanings and x-rays, while others cover more invasive treatments like fillings, dental crowns, and dentures. The price of the plan will vary depending on which treatments you need.
You can also choose a plan that provides reduced rates on cosmetic treatments like veneers and/or specialty treatments (e.g., endodontics and orthodontics).
There are two ways to sign up for DentalPlans. You can either
If you are unsure what plan is right for you, calling an agent may be the better option. They can provide you with in-depth details about each plan and help you compare benefits.
Signing up online is more convenient. It is the ideal option if you have already compared plans and benefits.
Keep in mind that you can switch plans at any time, so don’t worry if your dental needs change throughout the membership course.
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