Discount Dental Plans versus Dental Insurance Plans

When you are shopping for coverage for your dental needs, you will find that there are two basic options. You can either purchase one of the many dental insurance plans that are out there, or you can look into discount dental plans. These are two very different options, and you need to understand the differences so that you can choose the dental health plan that is right for you. Remember, the first dental health plan you find may not be the best, so take your time and shop around until you find one that is a good fit for your family's needs.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance plans work like health insurance plans. You, or your employer, pay a premium each year for the coverage. In return, you can visit the dentist and the insurance plan will pay the amount, minus any deductibles or co-pays that you are responsible for under the plan's contract. Many people consider insurance plans to be the best dental plans because they cover so much once your deductible has been reached.

Discount Dental Plans

Discount dental plans, on the other hand, are not insurance at all. With these plans, you pay a yearly fee, and in return you can get your dental care at a reduced price. The amount of the discount varies depending on the procedure you need to have. Many people choose a discount dental health plan over insurance because it has a much lower cost. These are the most affordable dental plans available, but they do leave you with a bigger bill when you need to have dental procedures done.

Benefits of Choosing Insurance

If you choose to shop for dental insurance plans rather than discount plans, there are some benefits you will enjoy. First, you will know how much you need to set aside for your dental care. You will know upfront what your premiums are going to be and what your deductible is going to be. You can set aside enough money to cover your deductible, and this will allow you to access whatever dental care you need no matter how expensive it might be.

With dental insurance coverage, you will always be able to get your preventative dental care. This is important, because many cases of gum disease or tooth damage can be caught with routine checkups before they get out of control. People who do not have dental insurance coverage often skip these checkups because of the tremendous cost.

Drawbacks of Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is not perfect. Most dental insurance plans are not low cost dental plans. They cost quite a bit, and if this is not covered by your employer, you may find that the cost of these dental care plans prohibits you from buying one.

Dental insurance also has many restrictions placed on its users. For instance, if you have a pre-existing dental condition, it will likely not be covered by your new insurance. Also, you may have to face long wait times to get a big procedure done. Many specialties are not covered at all by dental insurance plans.

Benefits of Dental Discount Plans

If you are in the market for more affordable dental plans, chances are you will be shopping for discount dental plans. There are many benefits to participating in this type of a plan. The biggest benefit is the price. These typically cost less than $100 for an individual for a year, compared to thousands of dollars for insurance coverage in some situations.

Another benefit of these plans is the fact that very little is excluded. Because the plan provider does not pay for services, but rather helps you get a discount, you will not have to worry about exclusions. Some procedures have better discounts than others, but there are not procedures that you will be unable to get as a plan member. You may even be able to find a dental health plan that covers specialties, including cosmetic dentistry.

Drawbacks in Dental Discount Plans

Of course, like all dental care plans, there are potential draw backs to these low cost dental plans. First, expensive dental procedures will still be expensive. Even the best dental plans can only offer a percentage off of the cost of the procedure, and you will still need to pay some money out of your pocket for these procedures.

Also, you may be limited to just one or two dental offices when you purchase one of the many discount dental plans that are available. This is not a problem if your preferred dentist is part of the list of approved providers, but if you are stuck going to someone that you do not like, you may find that you don't like your dental health plan. If you choose to use this type of dental plan, make sure you find one that lets you go to a good dentist and provides deep discounts on the services that you may need.