Business and Finance

With the cost of medical insurance on the increase dental insurance is at the top of the casualty list when it comes to employee benefits.

Historically many employees didn’t have to worry about dental insurance with employers being able to offer full dental insurance cover along side other popular employee benefits. However with health insurance continually on the increase dental insurance is generally one of the first benefits to bite the dust.

Luckily low cost dental discount plans are now widely available and are proving to be a completely affordable alternative to dental insurance.

Unlike dental insurance, dental plans provide plan holders with low cost dental care for all dental work, including cosmetic procedures although, for non routine care, the level of discount will generally be reduced.

There are now many plans available and, as with dental insurance, the benefits will vary according to the price you are willing to pay. DentalPlans.com is becoming a popular choice of dental plan provider and offers consumers a choice between 30 different national and regional plans with up to 60% discount on routine dental care.

Dental plans are not a dental insurance but rather a service by which, for a fixed monthly fee, members will receive deep discounts for all dental care from routine dental work to more complex dental procedures.

The benefits of dental plans over dental insurance are that:

o There are no deductibles, you receive a discount on all work received.

o The monthly premiums for dental plans tend to be significantly less than dental insurance premiums.

o If you move house you will generally be able to just switch to another participating dentist.

o Unlike dental insurance, there doesn’t tend to be any limit to the amount you can use your dental plan in any given period of time. You will continue to receive a discount no matter how many dental visits you make.

o You can make use of a dental care plan as soon as you receive your card. Dental plans are not dental insurance and there is no waiting period.

o With dental plans there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Are you one of the millions of people who don’t have any dental insurance at all, let alone a supplemental plan to cover the additional expenses associated with things not normally covered? Did you know that half of all Americans have no coverage at all? For those without employer provided benefits or those who are self-employed or in between jobs – what do you do when it’s time for your six month teeth cleaning? What if you have an accident?

Fortunately, there are discount cards and private insurance plans available. With that being said, there are also many unscrupulous insurers as well, so it is important that you do your homework before signing a contract with a company representative you just met on the phone. Things like total coverage and co-pays are essential, and just as important as the total cost of your coverage. This is where many people make a poor choice when choosing their provider.

Before you make a commitment you may regret once you get the first bill from your dentist, or find out you can’t go to the dentist you want – read the small letters in the contract. You may be surprised at what you find in the fine print. Here are a few tips for finding the best private dental insurance plan:

Learn what the co-pays are for each basic visit. Things like check-ups and cleanings may have small costs associated for each time you go. How much will your dental plan cover in regards to major work? Things like cavities, extractions, root canals and crowns usually are only covered for a certain percentage. What is the maximum benefit of your coverage? Many plans have a fairly low max benefit per year that they will stop paying for if you exceed. Will your company pay for treatment and repair of pre-existing conditions? Most don’t. If they do, how long do they require you to maintain coverage before they begin to cover major work?