We’re not knocking corporate insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or Obamacare. What would most of us do if those safety nets didn’t exist? Many of us may do things like skip dentist visits or get negligent about any sort of preventive health care actions. That’s because the reality for many folks is that those insurance alternatives are not alternatives at all. Corporate insurance like All-State or State Farm? Premiums are lower than medical insurance but still costly for someone on a limited budget. Medicare? Too young. Medicaid? Not poor enough. Obamacare? Still doesn’t cover everybody or everything.
At Dentalux we want to make sure you don’t skimp on preventive oral health procedures and general mouth maintenance. And, we want to help you in a way where you aren’t betting against yourself. Enter: the Dentalux Private Dental Insurance plans. Pay-up-front programs that offer a slate of dentistry services that are free or performed at a significant discount. Rather than paying a pricey monthly premium and trying to meet an ominous yearly deductible, these programs charge one annual fee. There are two programs, one for individuals and one for businesses.
The Private Dental Insurance Plan for Individuals
Starting at $145.99 per year, the individual plan has no annual maximum or deductible as well as no waiting period for benefits to kick in. The benefits are:
- Free dental check-ups (up to 2 per year)
- Free dental cleanings (up to 2 per year)
- Free dental X-rays (up to 4 bitewings)
- 30% off dental procedures
- 30% off cosmetic dentistry
The Private Dental Insurance Plan for Businesses
Starting at $249.99 per year, the plan for businesses also has no annual maximum or deductible as well as no waiting period for benefits to kick in. The payment covers employers and employees as well as their family. The first year is free for your employees and then $249.99 thereafter.
The benefits are:
- Free dental check-ups (up to 2 per year)
- Free dental cleanings (up to 2 per year)
- Free dental X-rays (up to 4 bitewings)
- 30% off dental procedures
- 30% off cosmetic dentistry
It should be noted that not every dental procedure we do at Dentalux is eligible for the 30% discount. That’s because there are certain pass-through costs from manufacturers such as Invisalign, Vivos and more.
Getting started with either plan is easy. Just visit us online at dantaluxpa.com and scroll down to the private dental insurance section. There’s a link there to fill out a contact form. But please note, we are dentists not insurance salespeople. Traditional dental insurance may make the most sense for your budget and dental needs. Here are some things to think about when looking into the traditional insurance route. According to Investopedia:
- Dental insurance usually follows a 100-80-50 coverage structure. Plans generally pay 100% of preventive care—exams, X-rays, and cleanings. Basic procedures, however, such as fillings, root canals, and extractions, only pay 80%, while major procedures such as crowns, bridges, implants, and gum-disease treatment may only be 50% of the cost. Orthodontia and cosmetic dentistry, which are not deemed medically necessary treatments, are usually not covered at all. This means you may still have to pay a hefty price to get your work done.
- Dental policies range from group insurance to individual and family plans, and they come in three categories.
- Indemnity Dental Plans tend to be the most expensive and aren’t as common in the market. They’re also often called “fee-for-service plans.” Insurers cap the amount of money they’ll pay for various procedures—a usual and customary amount set by the American Dental Association. If your dentist charges a higher amount, you’ll have to pay this amount out of pocket. Most insurance companies that offer indemnity plans require you to pay for the entire cost and file a claim. Once the claim is approved, the insurance company reimburses you for its portion. The main advantage to having a plan like this is that it doesn’t come with a network, so you’re free to choose any dentist you like.
- A preferred provider organization (PPO) is one of the most common types of plans available. Dentists join a PPO network and negotiate their fee structure with insurers. If you decide to use an out-of-network provider, you’ll have to pay more out of pocket. These plans can be more expensive because of the associated administrative costs. Still, they do provide more flexibility than other plans, because they often come with a wider network.
- With a health maintenance organization (HMO), you’ll pay monthly or annual premiums but are restricted to the network, and you may have to live within the area where the HMO is offered. It’s generally the cheapest of the three types of plans, with dentists agreeing to charge fees for specific services
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