This type of policy can save you money on dental services — and even other healthcare costs. Here’s how.

Taking care of your dental health is important for your overall well-being, but paying for dental services can get expensive. Even if you have dental insurance, out-of-pocket costs can add up.

One way to save money on dental services and invest in your oral health is to sign up for a dental discount plan. It gives you low- to no-cost access to pre-negotiated rates that are lower than what dental providers might otherwise charge.

Sometimes dental discount plans even provide expanded benefits, such as savings on hearing care, vision care and prescription drugs. Let’s take a look at how dental discount plans work, how they differ from dental insurance, and how extra offerings might ease your budgeting concerns.

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What is a dental discount plan?

A dental discount plan gives you access to a network of dental providers who have agreed to accept pre-negotiated discount rates for specific services. You pay the total amount due at the time of service, directly to the providers. Then they don’t have to file insurance claims.

Services can range from preventive care, such as having your teeth cleaned, to more extensive treatments, such as getting dental implants. Discount rates vary.

Price transparency is one of the advantages of dental discount plans. The provider tells you the cost of a service up front, so you know before you arrive what you’ll have to pay at your appointment. And providers may accept credit cards or help arrange for third-party financing.

How is a dental discount plan different from dental insurance?

Here are some ways that dental discount plans differ from dental insurance.

• Direct payment. With dental discount plans, you pay the provider directly. They do not submit claims to your insurance company.
• Simplified fees. With dental discount plans, you pay a flat, pre-negotiated fee. There are no insurance deductibles (the amount you pay for covered services out-of-pocket before your insurance plan starts to pay its share), copayments (set amounts you pay for covered services) or coinsurance (a percentage of the covered service’s cost that you pay after you’ve met your deductible).
• No annual caps. Dental insurance plans typically place caps on the dollar amount of coverage based on factors such as the plan year, type of service and frequency of service. Dental discount plans don’t have these caps. But you will have to pay the full amount of the bill.
• No exclusions. Dental insurance plans typically exclude certain services, such as bridges and cosmetic services. With a dental discount plan, you have access to whatever services the network dental providers offer.
• No waiting periods. Dental discount plans typically don’t have waiting periods before services are covered, like some dental insurance plans do.

Dental health is important to your overall well-being. Having dental insurance can provide additional coverage to help your overall health and budget. Learn more today.

What other benefits do dental discount plans offer?

Dental discount plans sometimes come combined with additional benefits. Here are some examples:

• Hearing care discounts. Dental discount plans may offer discounts on routine hearing exams and hearing aids from in-network providers.
• Vision care discounts. Dental discount plans may offer discounts for routine vision exams, contact lenses and glasses from in-network providers. This can help you save money if you don’t have vision insurance.
• Prescription drug discounts. Even if you have health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for medications can be high, especially if there isn’t a generic alternative to a brand-name drug. For instance, if you’re required to pay a percentage of the total cost of a drug (coinsurance), the higher the cost of the drug, the more money you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Prescription drug discounts that lower the overall cost will also lower what you have to pay.

What is the best dental discount plan for you?

The dental discount plan that will work for you depends on your individual circumstances and the insurance coverage you have. If you need braces, for instance, and your dental insurance doesn’t cover orthodontia, look for a dental discount plan that has local orthodontists in its network.

You may even already have access to a dental discount plan, which may be available to you at a low cost or no cost, through your:

• Employer
• Health insurance provider
• Organization membership
• School

If you do, check to see if the dental discount plan has additional benefits, such as hearing care, vision care or prescription drug discounts. Depending on your situation, these may be worthwhile even if you don’t have use for the dental benefits.

You can save by choosing an in-network dentist through a dental insurance plan. Learn more online, or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.

Compliance code:
51849-X-1224