Whats the difference in dental plan and dental insurance? which is better and why?

Question

self employeed and living in louisiana

Answer 1

Dental plans are discount plans. As a member you are give access to the dentist that have agreed to give members a discount off the full retail price. A good dental discount plan will let you search for dentist in your area before becoming a member and show you the agreed upon rates. Dental plans run from $80 to $150 per year per person. If you need work done this is the route to take, it will beat paying full price. Try this site for researching dental plans

http://www.dentalplans.com/search/zipsum...

In general individual dental insurance is a cost sharing plan. You pay a monthly fee around $32 per month. You get two free cleanings per year and xrays once per year at no charge. Basic dental work has a 6 month waiting period and major work has an 18 month waiting period.

If you get cleanings twice per year it can be a a good value depending on the dental cost in your area. Group dental plans tend to be a much better value.

If your health carrier offers dental as an option it is usually priced lower than a seperate dental plan. For example in VA Blue Cross will let you add dental for $9 to per month.

A good alternative for you would be a high deductible health plan with a Health Savings Account, then you could pay for your dental care with tax free dollars.

Answer 2

A dental plan sells you a list.  They don't PAY anything.  They don't COVER anything.  Allegedly, the providers on the list will give you a "discount" on services rendered, but if they won't, you don't get your money back from the "plan".

Dental insurance COVERS you.  They PAY, a limited amount.

I haven't seen a private dental insurance policy that pays out more than it takes in.  When I did NOT have access to group dental insurance, and I "ran the numbers", I was better off paying out of pocket.

Answer 3

Well, the other answerer's explained a dental plan to you, now I will tell you that you can purchase affordable dental insurance for $15 per month for an individual, $23 per month for 2 persons, etc. from CompBenefits that will cover 2 cleanings per year, annual xrays, and 2 oral exams a year for zero copay. Everything else has a copay which is listed in the schedule of benefits.

Pre-existing conditions are covered without a waiting period. That alone is worth the $180 a year don't ya think...

I have sold many of these plans to seniors who are on a fixed income and who asked me to find them a plan they could afford. Every single person I have enrolled has told me they are satisfied with the policy even though they have to use network providers. There are lots of providers with Coast Dental being one of the largest in the network.

Now I also sell Delta Dental insurance; however, the premium starts out at $34 a month per individual, and pre-existing is not covered for 12 months. There are 2 options a HMO or a PPO but you still have to select a primary care dentist and use network providers.

In my opinion comparing apples to apples CompBenefits is the better deal and is affordable for everyone. You definitely will NOT pay more out of your pocket than the policy costs per year.  Best wishes.