Dental Braces: Are There Ways To Discount the Cost of Braces for Teeth?
Imagine: You just got back from a visit with your regular dentist and they recommended to visit an ortho regarding braces. You check your teeth in the mirror and, yeah, you agree, your teeth could definitely be straighter. You make an appointment with the braces specialist. Teeth braces are in your future.
Fast forward a few weeks. Everyone is really friendly at the orthodontist office. The dentist's staff is cordial with you and you wait a bit in a nicely decorated waiting room. The visit goes well. The ortho X-rays your teeth, inspects your teeth, and you're done. Later on, the office staff shows you the quote. It'll be 00. That hurt. At least the first visit was free! The staff explains that you can pay this in installments and proceeds to start your line of credit. You're not so sure. The credit line is okay but what about 00, that is too much money! And your dental insurance won't pay anything they said.
You wonder whether there are ways to bring that price down. There are. One possibility would be to inquire with the dental plan website where you can find instant suggestions about the plans that would help you the most with the price. Also, it is always possible to get braces later. But would that make sense? Yourself, your dentist, and the orthodontist agree that braces would be a boon to your mouth. Your teeth are more maleable when you are younger. The costs ain't coming down either it seems. Why not get started?
discount dental plan vs. fee for service?
i need to go to the dentist to have a number of fillings…soon! i do not have time to be on a wait list for dental insurance. i’ve read about discount dental plans, and fee for service plans. i’m so confused! i know for both dental plan and fee for service you have to pay IN FULL when you go. i’m sure the work i need done will run me well over $1000 and i just can’t afford that. any advice?
The key is finding one that fits your budget and great coverage for you family. Your right in the average price for orthodontic treatment. I would recommend this site to you: http://www.healthsavings.ourperfectcard.com I signed up online over 5 years ago and they have saved me thousands since $$. From my Braces, to exams, xrays, extractions..etc. all services are included in this very very affordable plan. Even cosmetic surgery and denture treatment. I have used it so many times for my family, its been great. My benefits were active in 2 hours and was able to use it the very same day. Hope this helps.
dental insurance vs dental plans?
I have to go to the dentist and possibly have some work done on my teeth. I want to get some sort of insurance or a dental plan to help me pay because i know its going to cost a arm and a leg.
So does anyone know anything about dental plans? from what i read they are a lot better than insurance? and they seem cheaper too? but this seems too good to be true! so does anyone have one or know anything about them?
i was told to go here..
http://www.dpbrokers.com/default.aspx?locationid=20349
i dont get what the difference is between discount plans and fee for service discount plans? how will i know which one im getting? and making sure im not being ripped off??
You need to be cautious about any dental plan. You will want to contact some of the dentist on the list to make sure they are taking the plan. If no list is provided consider it a scam.
Discount plans just give you a discount on the normal fee that a dentist will charge. There is no control over what the discount is. Very few dentist will actually accept a discount plan.
A fee-for-service discount plan has a schedule of fees that a participating dentist can charge, so you know before going in how much the charge will be, similar to the co-pay on your health insurance. These plans also publish this schedule so you will know what to expect before purchasing the plan.
With both plans no waiting period applies. Not so with regular dental insurance. With insurance there will be a waiting period before some procedures are covered. A typical plan will have a 6 month waiting period for basic services such as a filling to 18 months for major services such as a root canal. They also have a deductible and co-insurance that you will need to pay.
Dental school clinic vs. dental insurance?
I am going to need quite a bit of work done since I am terrified of the dentist and haven’t been in about 8 years. I know I will need many fillings and at least one crown…and probably more stuff.
I am probably going to go to the UCSF dental school clinic were they say they charge about half of what a private dentist’s office will charge. They also way that they accept most dental insurance.
I was thinking about getting Delta Dental or something like that before, but is it worth it to get dental insurance if the dental school prices are already discounted?
And what is the difference between a dental discount plan and dental insurance?
Has anyone had work done at the UCSF dental school clinic?
Will they sedate you if you ask? (I’m scared!)
Sorry for so many questions.
I’ve never had to do this before…I’m so confused!
A lot of these questions will be best answered by the people at the dental clinic. I’m not sure what the dental discount plan is they offer, but the folks in the business office can explain that to you. The insurance might be worth the investment, since it will pay a portion of the cost, for repairs and such that are covered. That will mean less out of your pocket at the end of the day, and may mean you can afford a crown as opposed to the extraction for instance. I’ve had plenty of dental work done at dental school clinics, some of the most advanced care at that. I have enamel hypoplasia, and most of my teeth were either malformed or missing, something most regular dentists only read about when in school and don’t see a lot of in practice. So a dental school means I have access to the real experts at the cutting edge of things. The student dentists are supervised carefully, and the professors are always at hand to step in if needed. And yes, you can be sedated if it’s needed. Student dentists have to learn that procedure as well, so it is done. You just have to arrange that at the clinic. As far as your fears, well- dentist get pretty accustomed to not being the most popular people around and they are not surprised when you are afraid. To be honest, I always found the student dentists to be a little more sympathetic about it. For one thing, they are still excited about their career, and have the time to be patient with you. They don’t have to be concerned about things like the office overhead cost, or squeezing in all the patients they can to cover the payroll. Your care is really the only thing they have to be concerned about. So I say go for it. Talk to the business office about costs, see an insurance agent about a policy, and talk with your dentist there at the clinic. I’m sure you won’t find the experience to be nearly as traumatic as you dread. It might not be the most fun you ever had, but it shouldn’t be any where close to the worst experience either.
what is the difference between the coverage of dental discount plan &vs. insurance?
I know that the discount plan provides discounts (duh) but would I be lacking something by not choosing actual insurance.. and what would I lack if so?
Private dental insurance is far superior to a discount dental plan. The problem is that dental insurance is also far more expensive than a discount plan… which is why it’s superior!
Most people who have dental insurance get it through their employer who is able to purchase it at group rates making it substantially less expensive then when purchased privately. On the other hand, a discount dental plan costs only a fraction of what dental insurance costs making it very affordable this book because it eliminates the dental insurance company as a middleman and passes the savings on to it’s members.
Below is a very interesting article comparing dental insurance to discount dental plans. What it boils down to is dental insurance is better when purchased at group rates (such as through work or may be a credit union) but when you have to buy dental coverage on an individual basis, your best bet is a good discount plan as its far more affordable.
Dental Ins’ Compared To Discount Plans (http://www.discountdental4u.net/compared2.htm )
Dental Discount Plans vs Dental Insurance?
What’s the difference between Dental Discount Plans vs Dental Insurance? Which is better? Also, which dental insurance is the best?
If you have good teeth and just want the basics you probably don’t need any plan. A yearly cleaning and exam will cost you less without insurance.
You have four options with dental.
1. Visit a local dental school. You can get many procedures done for a reduced price if you’re willing to let them practice on you and they actually do a very good job.
2. Insurance – Depending upon the policy: cost $30-$60 per month. You pay a $50 deductible first, they have an annual maximum that they’ll pay per year of $750 – $1500, they have a waiting period up to 18 months for major work and then you’re paying 50% of the charges. Example – average cost for a root canal in my area is $829. With insurance you pay $414 after paying 18 months of premium (around $800 or $900). Advantage – you can use any dentist with most plans.
3. Discount plans – Cost – $5-$12 per month. No deductible, no annual maximum and no waiting periods. Also, hardly any dentists will accept the plan and when they do you MIGHT get a 10% discount, which is about the same discount you can get by paying cash. Example – average cost for a root canal in my area is $829. With discount plans you pay around $746. Be very wary of these plans because most are scams. The people that sell these plans have little or no knowledge about health & dental insurance and do not need a license to sell them. The plans are not regulated by the state so you have no recourse when you have problems. Some states are starting to ban these plans from being sold. Here is an informative link http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2006/11/22/74554.htm concerning these plans.
4. Fee for Service discount plans – Cost $7-$15 per month. No deductible, no annual maximum and no waiting periods. Many dentist will accept the plan (check providers first before signing up with any plan). When you use the plan there is a set fee that the dentist will charge you. Example – average cost for a root canal in my area is $829. With fee for service plans you pay as little as $404.
I’m an insurance agent and my personal plan is the fee for service plan. I got mine here http://www.dpbrokers.com/default.aspx?locationid=20349 specifically the Aetna Dental Access plan but which one you get depends upon your area and comparing the fee schedule to find the best for what you need covered.