The best dental plans are an inexpensive and easy-to-use substitute for dental insurance. These plans have no yearly limits, no health restrictions and no tiresome red tape hassles, unlike dental insurance. Discount dental plans save you money on quality dental care, and offer you the following benefits:
- One low annual membership fee
- Savings of 10% to 60% on most dental procedures
- Families and groups, as well as individuals, can benefit
- Orthodontic treatment included in select plans
- Choose from dentists in regional and national dental networks
- Immediate online enrollment and quick plan activation
- Easy-to-use search tools and plan comparison charts
- Qualified customer service representatives to assist you
- Discounts on dental specialties available with most plans
Twenty years ago dental insurance was pretty much the only thing available to consumers. Unless made available by your employer, dental insurance isn’t as cost effective these days.
Discount dental plans were introduced several years ago as an insurance alternative. These plans allow you to visit a dentist at a reduced rate. The only condition is that you pay the bill at the time of the visit.
Selecting a suitable dental plan calls for careful thought and research. However, offering a dental benefits plan to your employees makes good business sense.
In addition to promoting good oral health, a quality dental benefits plan can aid in the recruitment and retention of employees. Fortunately, offering a dental benefits plan to employees can be affordable. There are some important things to consider before selecting or changing your dental plan.
Shopping for the Best Dental Plans
When trying to select the best dental plan, ensure that you do the following:
- Contact different coverage groups, or ask your rep to show you different plans from a variety of insurance companies so you can compare them
- Ensure that the plan covers you for major dental costs
- Check to see what you are covered for, and take time to know your plan thoroughly
Employer-sponsored dental plans actually encourage you and your family to make an annual or even semi-annual dental office visit.
Your contribution to the costs for non-preventive services – referred to as your “co-payment” – gradually rises as the type of dental procedure becomes more complicated.
The total cost of care above which a dental plan will not pay – referred to as your “annual maximum”- is often in the range of $1000 to $1500.