Saturday, March 31, 2007

Individual Health Dental Plan - Dental Insurance or Dental Discount Plans - Which is "Really" Best?

By Joe Stewart

So this is the deal...You need to see a dentist, but you're not sure whether you should be searching for dental insurance or a good dental discount plan. Also, would it be better to buy an individual health dental plan or one of the many family dental plans available? Let's take a look at some of these options and then you can make an educated decision on which dental plan would be best for you.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance used to be the only option that you had and many people don't realize that there are other options available, other than dental insurance, now that can potentially give them a broader range of benefits and save them much more money on most dental procedures. However, if you've had a dental insurance policy in place for more than two to five years, then you should see some decent coverage on most major procedures.

Most dental insurance policies have what is known as a "waiting period" before you can be seen for any type of pre-existing condition. Most of these waiting periods are 6-12 months in duration. Even after the waiting period most policies won't cover certain procedures and if they do choose to cover them then they'll do it at a low savings rate, such as 10%.

Let me give you an example of how a dental insurance plan would not be a good buy.

Let's say that you have a toothache and, after visiting a dentist, discover that you must have a root canal performed on one of your teeth. Unless your insurance policy has been in effect for six to twelve months then you'll have to pay 100% of this procedure out of pocket. Many plans will pay up to half once the waiting period has ended.

Most dental insurance policies are not cheap either. If you are still undecided about whether you should buy a family dental plan or if you'd be better off buying an individual health dental plan then consider that dental insurance for an entire family can cost as much as $100.00 a month U.S. and, for most families, that's just not in their budget. It's no wonder that seven out of ten people in the United States have no type of dental coverage at all. They simply cannot afford it.

Dental Discount Plans

Dental discount plans are networks of dentists that have agreed to take a substantially reduced rate for dental procedures if the member agrees to pay cash at the time of the visit. This is a great deal for some people, if they're prepared for the visit. In other words, if you'll be needing a root canal, as in the example above, then you would save as much as 50-60% off of the cost, which could be as much as $400-$500.00. However, you would need to have the rest of the money "cash in hand" when you visit the dentist.

By using a dental discount plan you don't pay large monthly premiums. Most are under $20.00 per month, but, as stated above, you must have the cash in hand when you go to the dentist in order to pay for your visit.

Are dental discount plans a great deal or is dental insurance the way to go? That will depend on your finances and which plan you choose.

Do Dental Discount Plans Really Save You Money or is Dental Insurance The Way To Go? Find Out The REAL Truth by Visiting Discount-Dental.net or by clicking on Individual Health Dental Plan. Joe Stewart is a former Life And Health Insurance Agent that now works for himself by providing solid, expert information to consumers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Stewart

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Texas Dental Insurance Information

By Glenn Lamb Platinum Quality Author

As a Texas dental insurance agent I often have people ask if this is insurance worth getting. My answer is that it is an excellent value for someone that will make good use of it.

Most dentists will tell you that the most important things for dental health are frequent brushing and flossing plus regular checkups and cleaning. In most cases two visits a year are the suggested minimum. Unfortunately some people neglect the routine visits and will only go to the dentist when extreme pain drives them there! By then there is often a serious problem that will be expensive. There is some research that poor dental health can lead to other health issues. The “wait for pain for dental visits” is really not a good plan!

For those that are willing to do regular visits a dental plan is a great value. Plan savings for 2 semi-annual check-ups with x-rays and cleaning will normally more than cover the monthly plan costs. (It is also easier to pay a small monthly payment than a larger lump sum for service.) When you need other things like fillings, extractions, gum treatments, and crowns, the savings will add up.

If you can get dental coverage from your employer, that is usually the best value. If your employer doesn’t offer dental insurance there are several good plans available. The cost for an individual is usually around $20, depending on the coverage provided. One good choice is the Unicare plan. Texas residents can get a quote and sign up at my Texas Unicare insurance site. (Authorized independent agent) You can also call my Houston office at 281-537-2700 for more information.

Lamb Insurance Agency, (Farmers Insurance) Dental, Health, Auto, Home, Life, and Business Insurance for Texas - http://houston-auto-insurance.com or http://houston-homeowners-insurance.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Lamb

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Dental Insurance; Am I Covered?

By Lance Winslow Platinum Quality Author

Most people do require major dental work sometime in their life. It seems that with the human species living longer that indeed the teeth cannot hold out that long. If your teeth start going at age 55 or 60 then obviously you will need to do something about this as those of us that live in the United States the life expectancy now is pushing the upper 80's and mid-90's on average. In the next generation you can expect this number to increase again.

Some believe that those being born today may in fact live forever due to the rapid advances of science and if that is true everyone will have artificial teeth someday. So it makes sense to have dental insurance, as most medical coverages do have some dental, but if you need major dental work, you better check on that. As most folks are not covered and the dental work costs are substantial these days.

It might make sense to get with an insurance expert and ask them about dental insurance and work hard to understand what is covered and what is not. As you get older you may find your risk increasing sharply for the need to have major dental work even if you have brushed your teeth every day of your life and flossed too. Some of it is genetics and some is just the luck of the draw, be wise and check it out.

I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Dental Discount Plans - Get The Dental Care You Need At the Price You Can Afford



Thursday, February 22, 2007

Dental Insurance, Dentist And You

By Gowri C

It is a fact that most people don't know much about their dental insurance. They just know that their company has provided them dental cover and are happy to have the routine check-ups and cleanings that is covered under most insurance plans. Most people hate all the technical jargon that goes into any insurance policy and just ignore it as long as possible. Only when an dental emergency strikes do they start wondering if their particular condition is covered under dental insurance or if an extensive treatment is needed and many others simply depend on their dentists to tell them if the particular treatment is covered under their insurance.

Coming to the dentists. How are they selected and who selects them. Insurance companies evaluate dentists on many criteria. Some companies conduct exams that the dentists need to pass, others check their malpractice claims and so on. What is needed is a more comprehensive check where insurers need to find out how the more expensive treatments are carried out and the costs involved. This may be more effective in reducing costs for the insurance company in the long run.

You should also study your insurance policies so you know exactly what you are entitled to. At least get an agent or a friend who is well versed in these things to explain the complex jargon to you. Depending on the dentist alone is not going to help if you need information urgently. Check the website of insurance company to see if they carry the details. Else request the company to send you all the relevant information concerning your policy. Only when you are aware of what is in your policy can you take complete advantage of it when you need to get treatment for your dental problems.

Remember though not all dental problems will be covered. Nor can you expect to get 100 percent of your expenses. Insurance will cover a certain percentage of your cost and you have to bear a part of the expenses. Dental insurance and dental plans are designed for preventive dental care and to ensure that you and your families can enjoy good dental health and rest easy knowing that most of your biggest dental expenses will be covered to a large extent.

Dental insurance policies need to be flexible. Not every body has the same kind of problems. Nor does every body need the same amount of dental care. A healthy person may not need even the basic minimum that is provided under the plan whereas the one with major dental problems will need much more than that. To rigidly apply the rules and deny the person who may be in real need will defeat the purpose of owning a dental insurance policy.

C.Gowri author, webmaster and blogger.
A1-Dental-Insurance.Com
Your Resource For The Best Dental Discounts Plans On The Web.

For Comprehensive Dental Insurance Plans /Dental Discount Plans Information Visit The

Dental Insurance Plans Blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gowri_C

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Finding The Right Dental Insurance Plan

By Gowri C

Choices, choices, choices. When you don't have them you wish you had them. When you have too many you wished you had just one option so you didn't have to make a choice. That sums up most people's feelings when faced with any difficult task. Now, for instance consider dental coverage. It should be a simple task to select the right dental plan for your needs but it isn't. The wide range of choices actually confuse and bewilder us.

Fortunately those of us who are employed are saved from this trouble as usually we don't get much choice here! We have to subscribe to whatever dental cover our company provides us. This may be full dental insurance - covering all dental problems. Dental Reimbursement plans - employee get the dental treatment and submits the dental bills, company re-imburses the employee the expenses incurred. Usually there is an upper limit to this. Group dental insurance - employees get discounts on premiums, usually the company also pays part of the amount.

Those of us who are not employed have the difficult task of finding a dental plan that will provide with the best of care and the least of worries. For that you need to research and choose a plan that meets your needs. Look for a dental plan that allows all kinds of treatments without resorting to something called LEAT - least expensive alternative treatment and UCR - usual and customary. These are some of the escape clauses using which dental insurance companies will weasel out of expensive treatment that you may need.

Check that your plan does not have low annual limits, restricts your choice of dentists and treatment options. All these conditions will lower your premiums no doubt but so will it restrict your treatment. If you and your family have a history of dental problems then choose a plan that offers the most at a cost that you can afford. The premiums will be high but atleast you will get the treatment you need, when you need it.

C.Gowri author, webmaster and blogger.
A1-Dental-Insurance.Com
Your Resource For The Best Dental Discounts Plans On The Web.

For Comprehensive Dental Insurance Plans /Dental Discount Plans Information Visit The

Dental Insurance Plans Blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gowri_C

Saturday, February 17, 2007

VT Dental Insurance Plans

By Frank Merrill, MBA

I will help you find a cheap VT dental insurance plan. Actually, you can easily be enrolled in a plan that will cover all your dental care needs. Getting dental coverage today is much easier than it was in the past. Take a minute and read a little about getting a dental plan in VT.

So how much does dental care really cost? All dental plans vary in price, depending on the coverage you are looking for. Most dental plans are under $200, which is easily affordable to most. To be honest, you aren't going to get any other type of medical coverage so cheap. Dental coverage is by far the cheapest medical care that exists, if you have a good dental plan. The convenience of discounted price of dental plans makes them worth looking into. Many of the plans also provide orthodontist care as well, which is a great option if you are looking for a family plan.

So if I have a dental emergency; will I be covered? Yes, most dental plans will cover all emergency procedures, from extractions to a broken tooth. It is rare for a plan not to offer this, as I would not worry about this too much.

What is the best way to find a plan? First, you will choose from a number of plans that vary from one to another. The more expensive plans will cover all comprehensive procedures, while most of your cheaper plans will cover basic procedures like cleanings and fillings. Finding a dental plan is actually quite easy.

After using this service, I strongly believe using the internet is a great way to find cheap VT dental insurance plans easily. You can apply online for your dental health plan and be enrolled in minutes. As a consumer myself, I strongly recommend using this service to find the best dental discount plans available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Merrill,_MBA

Dental Benefit Insurance Plans

By Frank Merrill, MBA

Getting dental benefit insurance coverage is often not an easy thing to do. I would suggest looking into dental plans, if you are looking for dental coverage. Dental plans are amazingly cheap and very convenient.

Dental plans usually cost less than $200. Yes, you can get dental care coverage this cheap. Dental plans are designed for those who are not covered by their employer at great prices. Plans do differ in cost, as the more comprehensive plans will cost a bit more, usually not over $300. The cost alone of these plans make them well worth looking into, how can they not. I wish I would have learned about dental plans a long time ago, as it would have saved me lots of money.

You can often have your first appointment in a week! Once you're enrolled in a plan you will be able to schedule your first appointment usually within a week. This is great if you're looking for urgent dental care. If you haven't been to dentist in awhile don't worry. Did you know that 65% of the population don't have dental coverage. The rise in dental plans should help get more people covered, as more people learn what dental plans offer.

Dental plans will cover your entire family. Most dental plans will cover all members of your family, which is a necessity for most people. You will even be covered for your children to see a orthodontist and care for braces. Many plans are also designed for individual coverage as well. I believe that the benefits of dental plans are definitely worth looking into.

After using this service, I strongly believe using the internet is a great way to find cheap dental benefit insurance plans easily. You can apply online for your dental health plan and be enrolled in minutes. As a consumer myself, I strongly recommend using this service to find the best dental discount plans available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Merrill,_MBA