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It doesn’t make sense to pay more than you must at the dentist. But what’s the best way to cut costs on dental and still get quality care? America’s personal financial expert, Suze Orman, says that dental savings plans provide the best bang for your dental care buck. Read on to find out why Suze recommends dental savings plans over traditional dental insurance.
DentalPlans: Suze, were you skeptical about dental savings plans when you first heard about them?
Suze Orman: Of course I was! First of all – how was that possible that I had never heard of something that claims to save people money? And if it really does save people money why hadn’t I heard about it? I for sure thought it was just another way to get people to buy something that did not work like the claims made by the company. Boy was I in for a rude awakening.
DP: What’s your take on dental savings plans now?
SO: The truth is dental savings plans are not only far more affordable to purchase than dental insurance – they can also save you more money in the long run especially if you need extensive dental work such as dental implants, dentures or braces.
DP: Do you feel that dental insurance is still a good buy?
SO: If your employer gives you dental insurance and you don’t really have to pay for it in some cases it’s okay. But if you need a lot of work done and have already maxed out your policy or have kids that need braces you will be shocked when you find out that most likely your dental insurance policy will not pay for it at all. So as maybe you can tell I am not a fan of dental insurance especially if you have to pay for all of it yourself.
DP: What surprised you the most about dental savings plans?
SO: First that they did exactly what they claimed to do which was to save me money on my dental work. At the time I purchased my dental savings plan I already had a year where I needed quite a bit of dental work done. The problem with most dental insurance policies is they max out at $1500 per year so no way were they going to lay out a penny toward any more work that I needed. But on my next visit to the dentist my dental savings plan saved me $1,100.
DP: Was it easy to use your plan at the dentist?
SO: Yes. I applied online, got my card in the mail, presented it at the time of checkout at my dentist’s office and saved money. And looking back, I can’t believe how much money I wasted by not having a dental savings plan.
Dental savings plans are an affordable alternative to traditional dental insurance. Plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care. Give us a call at 1-833-735-0399 to learn more
Visit Suze’s website, www.suzeorman.com, to access a wealth of resources that will help you to get smart about your money. And make sure to listen to Suze Orman’s Women & Money podcast.
Learn More About Dental Savings Plans
Suze Orman is known for giving commonsense financial advice and telling it exactly how it is. So, you’re probably figuring that if Suze loves dental savings plans, you should look into getting a plan for yourself.
You can find everything you need to know about dental savings plans on dentalplans.com – including details on over 30+ plans, plus easy to use tools to help you choose the right plan for you. But let’s get you started with answers to the most frequently asked questions about dental savings plans.
How much can I save at the dentist with a dental savings plan?
Plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care, as mentioned above. For a quick peek at how much you can save with a plan, use our calculator directly below.
What else do dental savings plans offer?
Many of the plans on dentalplans.com offer additional “bonus” savings on health and wellness services such as vision and hearing care, discounts on prescription medications. Select plans offer savings on telemedicine, diagnostic tests, and fitness programs.
In addition, most dental savings plans offer discounts on some dental treatments that are rarely covered by dental insurance, including cosmetic dentistry services such as veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants and more.
What is an “annual spending limit”?
That’s the annual maximum coverage provided by your dental insurance, which is sometimes referred to as the plan’s “annual cap.” Traditional dental insurance policies generally limit coverage to $1000 -$1,500 a year per person covered by the policy. It may sound like a lot, but one root canal and crown can easily wipe out your dental insurance allowance for the year. When your dental costs go over that limit, you then must pay for your own dental care for the rest of the year.
Dental savings plans do NOT have annual spending limits.
What is a “waiting period”?
Dental insurance plans often impose 6 to 18 month waiting periods before the plan will cover major dental treatments such as crowns, root canals, bridges and dentures. Additionally, many dental insurance policies have exclusions on getting treatment for dental problems – such as a missing tooth – that were present when you joined the plan.
Unlike insurance, dental savings plans do NOT have waiting periods. As soon as your plan is active – typically within 72 hours of purchase, some plans activate within 24 hours – you can begin saving on your dental care costs.
How do I use a dental savings plan?
Dental savings plan members have access to an extensive network of participating dentists and dental specialists that provide discounts on dental care at the time of service. You choose a dentist who accepts the plan, make an appointment (mention that you are savings plan member), and bring your plan ID card to the dentist.
There is a dental savings plan that fits every dental care need and budget. Give us a call at 1-833-735-0399 for help finding the plan that’s right for you. You can also use our calculator below for a quick look at how much you can save on virtually all your dental care.
*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.
