SMILESAVERS: How to Save on Dental and Vision Care in 2015
:DentalPlans Helps You Afford Your Smile
PLANTATION, FL--(Marketwired - January 15, 2015) - The Affordable Care Act has made it easier to get healthcare coverage, but more than 130 million Americans still do not have dental insurance and struggle to get the care that they need.
According to the :DP SmileMeter™, a national survey recently conducted by :DentalPlans, the largest dental savings plan marketplace in the USA, 25 percent of the people surveyed reduced other areas of their budget so that they can afford necessary healthcare services. Of those, nearly 60 percent have purchased fewer household goods and delayed major purchases. Twenty-six percent have purposely delayed paying bills.
":DentalPlans is committed to helping Americans afford dental services," said Bill Chase, vice president of marketing for :DentalPlans. "The health of your smile is critically important to your overall health, and regular preventative dental care can help catch expensive problems before they occur."
If paying for dental care is taking too big a bite out of your household budget, a dental savings plan may be for you. Dental savings plans are not dental insurance. Participating dentists have agreed to accept a reduced fee from dental savings plan members as payment in-full for dental services performed. Dental savings plans are available to consumers and businesses and offer a variety of other key benefits to membership:
No Annual Maximums. Dental savings plans do not have annual limits, so you can use the plan as often as needed. Dental insurance policies have annual maximums that are typically from $1,000 to $1,500. So if you need dental treatments that cost more than the annual maximum, like braces, root canals, crowns, oral surgery or dentures, you will have to pay the difference. Even if you already have dental insurance, the discounts offered by dental savings plans may be used after your dental insurance plan maximum has been reached for even more savings on your dental care.
No Waiting Period. Dental insurance can require up to a year before coverage starts for any treatments beyond annual cleanings and x-rays. So if you were thinking of signing up for dental insurance to get that crown, you may want to check the policy before purchasing. In comparison, most dental savings plans activate within three days and impose no waiting period for major procedures.
Get Your Vision and Prescriptions Covered Too. Select plans offered by :DentalPlans.com provide discounts on vision and hearing care services, prescriptions, chiropractic treatments and other wellness and health services and products.
Choice. At www.dentalplans.com, consumers can compare dental savings plans from more than 40 of the leading regional and national dental savings plans, accepted by more than 140,000 participating dentists. So it's likely your dentist accepts one of these plans.
Prevent Emergency Care Visits. Emergency room visits for dental care doubled nationwide from 2000 to 2010, rising from 1.1 million to 2.1 million, according to the American Dental Association. With quick activation, dental savings plans offer an affordable option to the emergency room. Emergency activation is even available on select plans, so you could start saving today.
"Rising out of pocket expenses means consumers must become savvy shoppers," adds Chase. "Looking for a good value, while still getting quality dental care, is important not only for your health, but your wallet too."
About :DentalPlans
:DentalPlans, founded in 1999, is the largest dental savings plan marketplace in the U.S., offering consumers access to 40+ dental savings plans from trusted healthcare brands, like Aetna, Careington, Signature Wellness, and UNI-CARE. Plan members have access to more than 100,000 dentists nationwide.
:DentalPlans, which has been included in the INC. 5000 list for three years standing, is committed to making you smile by making access to quality oral healthcare affordable and available to everyone. Visit us at www.dentalplans.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dentalplans.
*A national study was conducted for :DentalPlans between July 7th and 10th, 2014 by Infosurv Research. A total of 1,214 consumers were surveyed, yielding data with a margin of error of +/- 2.7%.
** The :DP SmileMeter™ is an ongoing national survey conducted for :DentalPlans designed to gauge consumer thoughts and perceptions on dental health.
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