Paying the entire cost of dental care yourself is a tall order for many people; this is an important reason why dental insurance exists. Of course, not everyone has dental insurance, which is why many practices offer their own in-house discount plan. Both insurance and dental discount plans are useful for reducing your out-of-pocket costs for dental care, but there are some important differences in how they work and what kind of benefits they offer. Your dentist in Kittanning can go over these differences with you so that you can pick the savings strategy that’s best for you and your loved ones.
How Dental Insurance Works
As you might expect, dental insurance in Kittanning is comparable to general health insurance. Either you or your employer needs to pay a monthly premium, and you often have to meet a deductible before receiving any coverage. Once these conditions are met, your plan will pay for all or part of dental expenses that fall under your coverage (although there is generally a maximum amount your plan will pay each year). The premiums, deductible, and coverage provided all vary depending on what plan you have.
Unlike health insurance, dental insurance focuses on preventive care. That means regular checkups and cleanings often receive full coverage; meanwhile, restorative services typically only get around 50% to 80% coverage, and elective procedures like teeth whitening usually aren’t covered at all.
How Dental Discount Plans Work
A dental discount plan is designed and executed by the practice itself, with no third party to worry about. In order to enroll in the plan, you need to pay the appropriate fee every year. Unlike insurance, you won’t have to worry about meeting a deductible first or being limited by an annual maximum; you’ll get to enjoy savings right away and all throughout the duration of the plan. Most plans will fully cover the cost of two routine cleanings per year and offer a certain percentage of savings for all other dental procedures. Depending on the practice, some might even offer special discounts for whitening and other simple procedures. Get in touch with your practice to learn the particulars of their plan.
Which One is Right for Me?
If you already have dental insurance, then there’s generally no need to enroll in a dental discount plan. For those who don’t have insurance, however, an in-house plan is often the more cost-effective and less stressful solution, since there are no insurance-related pitfalls or complications to worry about.
Of course, everyone’s financial situation is different, so it’s important to thoroughly explore all of your options before settling on any sort of plan. Be sure to ask the important questions like, “What sort of dental insurance plans are out there?” and “What does the dentist near me offer?” Don’t be afraid to get in touch with your own dentist if you need additional advice.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller has been practicing in Kittanning since his graduation in 1980. He knows that some families have more trouble than others when it comes to paying for quality dental care, which is why he’s pleased to offer the Voller Value Discount plan, which places the patient’s best interest as the highest priority. To learn more about this plan or to ask about dental insurance, get in touch with Voller Dentistry through our website or call (724) 543-4948.