The health of your teeth and gums affects your whole body’s health, so it’s important to see a dentist regularly.
Should I get a dental insurance plan or a dental discount plan? What’s the difference?
Both plans will generally cover dental exams, checkups, cleanings, extractions, deep cleanings, porcelain crowns, dentures, and implants.
Dental INSURANCE plans generally have an annual deductible, a waiting period before certain procedures are covered, and a maximum annual coverage limit. Some plans will allow you to go out of network to ANY dentist.
Dental DISCOUNT plans are membership-based. A network of participating dentists agree to provide treatment to members at a discounted rate. These plans generally have a low monthly premium, no deductible, no waiting period, and no coverage limit. Members save 20% to 60% on most dental procedures. Direct Access Dental (administered by Careington) offers two plans to choose from: Direct Access Value and Direct Access Premier. The monthly premium is the same for both plans; the difference is in the provider list and the negotiated prices that you will pay for treatments. In most states, the Direct Access Dental-only plan is $7.90/mo. (Click here to see a sample of how much you will save.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Although many dentists accept both plans, you cannot combine a dental insurance plan with a dental discount plan to pay for the same dental procedure. For example, if your dental insurance only covers 50% of the cost for a root canal, you cannot use the dental discount plan to save money on the remaining balance.
Which is better?
It’s really a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to have a traditional dental insurance plan, others prefer a dental discount plan. We invite you to compare them:
If you have questions about dental, vision, or other life & health insurance products, click here to contact Linda Bell, a licensed independent insurance broker at Heart to Heart Insurance Agency, LLC.
Disclaimer: Heart to Heart Insurance Agency LLC is not connected with or endorsed by the United States Federal Government, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, or the Department of Health and Human Services.