Dental plans, discount plans, payment plans—confused about these terms thrown at you by your dentist’s assistant? Do they sound almost the same to you? As if the technical details of the procedure the dentist has recommended for you weren’t hard enough to understand, now you have to deal with jargon about paying the charges too!
Don’t worry, we’ll break it all down for you in this post.
What are Dental Payment Plans?
Dental payment plans are quite different from dental insurance. Although the main objective of all these is to make dental care affordable to people and to encourage them to not overlook their oral health and hygiene, payment plans work in very different ways.
Dental payment plans are also known as dental discount plans and dental savings plans. Like the alternate titles suggest, payment plans are discounts that are extended to the patient, specifically for their dental care needs. Like any other plan, there are certain terms and conditions that the patient would have to meet in order to get a membership card testifying that you’re part of a certain payment plan.
Many dentists accept dental payment plans to make patients’ lives easier, prevent them from ignoring necessary treatments because of high costs, and to help them with the financial burden.
Unlike dental insurance, the process for applying and acquiring membership for a dental payment plan is extremely simple and effortless. This is one of the major reasons why more and more people opt for dental payment plans.
How Do They Work?
The process is seamless. You apply for membership at a dental payment plan provider and you’ll receive your membership card in just a few days. Once you have the card in hand, you can present it at your dentist’s office to get discounts for dental procedures, given that your dentist is part of the network for the payment plan you’ve chosen.
The discounts vary from 10% to 60%, depending on the complexity of the procedure you want to opt for. The coverage also differs across different plans; some offer discounts at only necessary dental work, while others have small discounts for cosmetic dental procedures too. Before deciding on which one to choose, study the features and coverage of the plans to assess which one best fits your needs.
While the processing time varies for different payment plans, the process generally takes about 2 weeks to get approved. It is also not uncommon for people to get their approval within a week of applying.
Now, if you need a procedure and get your treatment done from any dentist from the provider’s in-network, the dentist will charge the discounted amount to you directly. You pay the price to the dentist and are on your way. All you really need to do is meet the yearly payments in a timely manner to avoid any problems.
There are several payment plan providers around. You can search for and compare them here on Dental Plan Provider to see which one would work best for you.
Key Features and Benefits
Dental Payment Plans are simple and less cumbersome than most other types of dental plans. Lately, many people have started opting for payment plans instead of insurance plans because they offer many more benefits
- A lot of young people are opting for dental payment plans because some of the plans also offer discounts on cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening and alignment.
- It is a good option for people whose dental needs exceed the amount that is generally covered by insurance. For example, payment plans are a wise choice for elderly people
The payments are definitive and yearly; there’s no stress of making payments every month. - The process is far quicker than applying for loans and insurances, and you can start taking advantage of the plan within a few days of application
- There is no need for authorizations and no waiting period involved for emergencies or major dental work. You can go ahead with the procedure as your dentist recommends.
How Much Do They Cost?
Unlike in many other types of plans, the charges are very easy to understand. The charges usually are:
- A small, initial, establishment fee to be a part of the payment plan
- A yearly charge, generally not more than $150 for a family
- There is no deductible with dental payment plans which means there is no certain amount to be paid before the plan kicks in.
- You can start using the plan as soon as you receive the membership card.
- There’s also no hassle of monthly payments
What Is The Best Dental Payment Plan For Me?
Not all dentists would accept all dental payment plans, thus you can look for what dentists are covered by your payment plan, or ask if your dentist is part of some payment plan that you can purchase.
You can search for the best dental payment plans and their in-networks of dentists here on Dental Plan Provider.
Instead of overlooking and delaying important dental procedures because of the mere lack of funds, your best bet is to apply for a dental payment plan.
Dental plans are an uncomplicated, risk-free way of staying on top of your dental game, while not being financially stressed. With the security of easy discounted payments, you can ensure regular attendance and treatments.
If you’re unsure of what payment plan to opt for, you can search through our site here at Dental Plan Provider for payment plans and compare your options.
