Dental Insurance or Dental Membership Plan?

As you start a new job, you have mixed emotions: you’re excited for the opportunities ahead of you, overwhelmed at meeting so many new people, and undecided about what you want to do for your dental benefits. Should you enroll in insurance or perhaps take advantage of an alternative? Keep reading to learn the difference between dental insurance and dental membership plans so you make the right choice for you!

How Dental Insurance Works

With dental insurance, you pay a monthly fee in exchange for certain services and coverage. Although plans may differ slightly, most pay the whole amount owed for checkups and cleanings. Additional restorative treatment is discounted between 50 and 80 percent, depending on the procedure. In general, cosmetic services as well as dental implants are not included in insurance plans because they are considered elective.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Insurance

Pros:

• Many dental practices accept and work with insurance, so you have a large network of dentists to choose from.
• Most preventive care is completely covered with dental insurance with no extra out-of-pocket cost.

Cons:

• You likely will face waiting periods when you start a new job or switch insurance companies.
• You have to worry about preapproval, annual maximum, deductibles, and many other headaches that could affect how much you pay out-of-pocket.
• Sometimes the quality of care can suffer in order to meet the requirements insurance has in place.
• Most insurance policies do not include cosmetic procedures or dental implants.

How Dental Discount Plans Work

While dental insurance may seem inescapable, it is not the only financial option out there. Some dental practices offer savings, discount, or membership plans, which are sometimes paid for on an annual basis. In exchange for this fee, you receive significant discounts on necessary and optional services. Other practices simply offer a discount on all their services!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Discount Plans

Pros:

• Benefits take effect right away, so you don’t have to wait to receive care your smile needs.
• There are no yearly maximums, so you have more freedom to get any treatment you want or need.
• Discounts apply to dental implants, cosmetic services, as well as other products and procedures that insurance doesn’t cover.

Cons:

• You pay for the entire year upfront.
• The discount plan only works at a single dental office and cannot be combined with other discounts or insurance.

Ultimately, you can crunch the numbers and weigh the positive and negative of both options until you come to a decision that works best for you. By figuring out these kinds of details with your new job, you can focus on looking forward to the new challenges you’ll face!

About the Practice

Bristol Family Dental is proud to be in-network with many dental insurance companies, including Anthem, Cigna, and Delta Dental. For those who do not have insurance, we offer our own membership plan, which entails a 12 percent discount on all their products and services. If you have questions about the membership plan or using your dental insurance, you can contact our Bristol office online or call 860-589-2794.