In addition to dental insurance, we carry Discount Cards that provide discounts for dental care. Although these cards are not a form of insurance, they will provide you with discounts for dental services when you visit a participating dentist.
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Key Differences
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Dental Insurance
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Discount Cards with Dental Discounts
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Who pays for services
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You pay monthly premiums, deductible and co-pay/coinsurance (see below); the insurance company pays dentist directly for remainder of charges.
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You must pay the dentist directly at the time dental services are rendered. The Discount Card does not pay any money to the provider. You also pay a monthly membership fee to the discount program in exchange for discounted rates at participating dental providers.
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Discounted Rates at Selected Providers
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PPO plans have pre-negotiated discounted rates with selected providers.
Indemnity plans allow you to see any dentist, and, as such, do not have discounted rates at selected providers.
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Offers discounted rates at participating dental providers.
Note: Can be used in conjunction with Dental Insurance Indemnity plans.
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Deductible
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Typically has a deductible, i.e., insurance company may not start paying for services until your dental expenses reach a certain dollar amount.
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No deductible - Discounts are available at first visit to dentist.
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Co-Pay/Coinsurance
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After deductible is met, you may need to pay a nominal amount (e.g., $10) per office visit or a percentage (e.g. 20%) of the cost of a larger procedure. Insurance company typically pays for remainder of charges.
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Not applicable - For a given service, participating dentists will charge you the contracted discounted rate that has been pre-negotiated.
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Waiting Period
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Many dental insurance plans require you to be a policyholder for 6 to 18 months before paying for major dental services.
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Not applicable - Since no waiting periods apply.
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Annual Maximum Benefit
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Most dental insurance plans will only cover up to certain amount per member per year (e.g., $1,000). After that cap is reached, you are responsible for all dental expenses.
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Not applicable - You and your family members can use your discount program membership as often as you need.
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