Which is most cost-effective, Dental Insurance or Dental Discount Program?

[LostDollar]

I hate selling dental but I get asked so much.Wellabe's above age 65 is pretty good . After hearing so many people like physician mutual's plan being good I picked it up . $56 for there premium plan . 2 free cleanings , they cover 70% for basic and major and no yearly maximum .No $50 deductible and they have one if the biggest networks in Ameritas . You can go out of network to . What's wrong with this plan ?

I can't tell from the post. Was this a rhetorical question or was it a specific question addressed to someone?

 

[AllThingsMedicare]

PM sounds good to me. Yes what's the downside?

 

[somarco]

I wonder if I should get my name on the list at the local mortician school.

I understand they are waiting on you to donate your body . . .

 

[LostDollar]

PM sounds good to me. Yes what's the downside?

Two things.

First, I am NOT an expert on dental plans. I am a consumer of dental insurance with a focus on coverage I personally need focused on restoration of damaged teeth.

Second, before I try to work out a short answer to your question, would you tell me why it sounds good to you.

 

[Alan Blackwell]

Choosing a dental insurance plan and a discount program should be based on your needs.

If the preventative maintenance of your teeth is your primary concern, you should consider a dental insurance plan. Most dental insurance plans offer both HMO and PPO options. HMO plans are usually cheaper than PPO plans but restrict you to a specific network of dentists. The PPO plans allow you to use your choice of dentists but at higher out-of-pocket costs.

Dental insurance plans help consumers maintain their dental at a modest monthly cost. Unfortunately, the plans may contain restrictions such as exclusions for prior tooth loss, benefit maximums, or waiting periods. Dental insurance plans will usually cover preventive care at no cost. Comprehensive care, however, may require copayments of 50%.

Dental discount programs generally have no benefit maximums, exclusions, or waiting periods. You may use any dentist that accepts the discount program. Dental discount programs may offer discounts of up to % for dental services regardless of whether they are preventive or comprehensive.

Finally, when evaluating an insurance plan or discount program, you should read the coverage documents. The coverage documents will have a list of dental codes. The dental codes detail the services that are covered and at what cost.

 

[somarco]

If you were comparing cost /benefit what would a good plan look like? For instance "annual premium + deductible divided by Maximum annual benefit" =??? For a good plan?
____ Provider network within 25 miles
What am I missing?

You are missing the fact that a majority do not like their plan, regardless of the structure.

80% of dental practices do not participate in any dental plan, insured or discount.

Dental insurance often has waiting periods for major work, limits on how much they will "cover" for procedures, often has prior authorizations . . .

Discount plans have no oversight. If a dentist wants to schedule multiple visits for work that could have been done in one visits you will end up paying more than you need to. If a dentist wants to perform a procedure that is not necessary you will never know if it would be approved by a carrier or not.

Several years ago my wife went to a new dentist for a checkup and was told she had multiple "holes" (50+) in her teeth that needed attention.

She never went back and no one since that time have observed the holes.

 

[LostDollar]

Choosing a dental insurance plan and a discount program should be based on your needs.

If the preventative maintenance of your teeth is your primary concern, you should consider a dental insurance plan. Most dental insurance plans offer both HMO and PPO options. HMO plans are usually cheaper than PPO plans but restrict you to a specific network of dentists. The PPO plans allow you to use your choice of dentists but at higher out-of-pocket costs.

Dental insurance plans help consumers maintain their dental at a modest monthly cost. Unfortunately, the plans may contain restrictions such as exclusions for prior tooth loss, benefit maximums, or waiting periods. Dental insurance plans will usually cover preventive care at no cost. Comprehensive care, however, may require copayments of 50%.

Dental discount programs generally have no benefit maximums, exclusions, or waiting periods. You may use any dentist that accepts the discount program. Dental discount programs may offer discounts of up to % for dental services regardless of whether they are preventive or comprehensive.

Finally, when evaluating an insurance plan or discount program, you should read the coverage documents. The coverage documents will have a list of dental codes. The dental codes detail the services that are covered and at what cost.

If preventive maintenance of your teeth is your primary concern, meaning that your dental care visits will probably be with a general dentist rather than specialists such as orthodontists, endodontists, dental surgeons and the like:

I think some agents might suggest a consumer's wisest course of action is to find a dentist they like who also offers their own in house equivalent of dental insurance for an annual fee and go that route.