Dental discount plans are just what the name suggests; they are plans that reduce the price of your next trip to the dentist. Similar to membership programs such as Sam’s Club or Costco, discounts are offered to participating members who sign up for the plans and pay a small fee.
These plans typically come with a small monthly fee starting as low as $11.00 per month. Dental discount plans do not require copays or deductibles, nor do they carry annual maximum limits.
Unlike typical dental insurance, discount plans do not involve any kind of claims process. This means that your discounted rate is applied at the time of your visit and you do not have to wait for reimbursement.
Anyone who no longer has access to an employee dental insurance plan is a good candidate for this health care option. Seniors often times fall in to this category as they leave the work force.
Dental discount plans can operate along side with a standard dental insurance. This is especially useful if you find yourself in a long waiting period for your dental coverage and you need some financial assistance quickly.
No, discounts are standard for each discount plan. When signing up for a discount plan, you are not subject to any waiting periods based on preexisting oral health conditions and can actually visit the dentist the same day of enrollment.
Dental providers contract with discount plan providers to offer these lower rates for their clients. Dentists and dental practices realize that standard insurance isn’t always available to their patients and often times dental insurance does not offer enough coverage to meet their oral health needs.