Dental Discount Card Vs Insurance
It is no secret that dental procedures are some of the more expensive medical procedures. In fact, a good number of people forego dental checkups and minor procedures because they can’t afford it. Currently, there are two main options for low cost dental insurance. These are dental insurance plans and dental discount cards. How do the two compare?
Dental insurance plans
Many employers provide dental insurance coverage, which is categorized as a group plan. The alternative is an individual dental insurance plan. Like any insurance coverage, you pay a monthly or annual premiums to stay covered. There is a maximum coverage pegged on the amount of your monthly or annual premiums. A dental insurance plan will typically cover full preventative dental care, for example, two dental cleaning sessions and one x-ray scan per year. Many dental insurance plans will cover about 80% of what are described as basic dental procedures and about 50% of major procedures. For the latter, co-paying is required where the insurance covers some of the cost and the beneficiary the rest. How much you cover out of your pocket depends on your premiums .Dental insurance plans are ideal for families. The higher amount you pay as premiums become valuable when the two or three members of the family draw on it.
The other thing to consider with dental insurance is the waiting periods. These are time frames that you have to wait for restoration services to be covered, like a root canal. When choosing a dental plan you want to confirm how long you will need to wait for a procedure. If you are needing a dental procedure soon, you want to opt for a dental discount plan.
Dental discount cards
In this arrangement, you pay a monthly or annual fee to access a pool of dentists. The dental discount plan company negotiates for lower costs with these dentists. Or they contract with a dental insurance company to use their network of dentist that they have negotiated lower pricing with. You are offered a card showing that you are a member of this plan. You access dental services at a significantly lower cost, but you have to cover 100% of the negotiated costs out of your pocket. A discount card works best when you are single or need coverage for restoration now. The bills may quickly add up and become unmanageable if you are covering children who tend to have more dental issues. Of course if your children already need work done it will likely be best to get a dental discount plan for now and a dental insurance plan once the dental work is done.
Another type of plan that works well with a dental discount plan is a Health Matching Account. An HMA allows you to put money into a special account that is then matched by funds that can be used for dental and other medical needs. A HMA dental plan is a great way to double the purchasing power of your funds and you don’t have to worry about doctor networks or other insurance restrictions.
Choice of dentists
Under a dental insurance plan, you have a freer choice in picking your dentist in individual plans. But group dental plans (employer provided) often restrict the choice of dentists considerably. Dental discount cards restrict the choice of dentists because there is a negotiated agreement between the insurance company and these dentists. This can be a bit disadvantageous if there are no listed dentists in your area. Some people work a roundabout, where you ask your favorite dentist the discount cards or dental insurance he is on, and sign up for it. Low cost dental insurance choices save you money than the case would be without any coverage, but the frequency of dental visits also comes into play. If you make frequent visits to the dentists, go with for a dental insurance plan. If your visits are infrequent or you need work done right away, the high premiums and the wait periods may not be worth it and it would be better going for a dental discount card.
If you would like to purchase dental insurance or a dental discount plan Indyhealthagent.com can help. Contact us for personal services in finding the right plan for you.
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