Dental Insurance vs. Discount Dental
Advantages:
- Preventive and Diagnostic care is typically covered at 100% without being subject to a deductible or waiting period.
- Dental Insurance plans usually offer a larger selection of participating providers than discount dental plans.
- After waiting periods are exhausted, coverage for basic and major services will typically leave the insured with less out-of-pocket expenses than a discount dental plan will.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive. Premiums range from approx. $22/mo. or more for an individual to $75/mo or more for a family.
- Deductibles will apply to certain services. Deductibles may apply to Preventive, Basic and Major services.
- Waiting Periods. Basic Care, such as fillings and sealants, usually has a minimum 6 month waiting period. Major Care, such as crowns and root canals, typically has a minimum 12 month waiting period.
- Cosmetic dentistry is rarely covered.
Advantages:
- No waiting - Discount dental plans provide the deepest discounts for dental emergency for people who do not have existing dental insurance at the time that services are needed.
- Quick activation
- Low monthly or annual membership fees. Plans start as low as $6.95 / mo!
- Deep discounts for most dental services.
- Discounts for cosmetic dentistry are included on on select dental plans.
- Some discount dental plans offer ancillary benefits such as discounted prescriptions and vision services.
- Discount dental plans can be used in conjuction with dental insurance.
Disadvantages:
- Discount dental plans often have smaller networks of participating providers than dental insurance plans do.
- Care provided by a specialist is not always discounted as deeply as care provided by a general dentist.
- With discount dental plans, specialty care providers, such as endodontists, periodontists and orthodontists, typically offer discounts ranging from 20%-25% off the non-member price. With dental insurance specialty care can be covered at 50% or more, subject to annual and lifetime plan limitations, AFTER waiting periods are exhausted, depending on the plan you choose.
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