Tips on Buying Dental Plans Online

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Its important that you take your time when shopping around for a dental discount plan because some plans may cost less per month/year but offer smaller discounts on dental procedures which could end up costing you more (maybe much more!) should you visit the dentist more than once or twice in a given year.

But how does one know which discount plan to go with? There can be literally a dozen or more plans in your area for you to choose from, each one with their own group of participating dentists, premiums, fee schedules and restrictions.

5 Questions You Need To Ask About Any Discount Dental Plan
Because studies done by the National Association of Dental Plans show that 68% of all buyers pay too much for their dental coverage, DiscountDental 4 U strongly suggests you know the answers to the following questions before choosing a discount dental plan. After all, an informed consumer is a smart consumer.

How Many Local Dentists Practice In My Area?
DiscountDental4u.net strongly recommends that before you enroll in any dental program, find out how many dentists and dental specialists in your area accept that plan. After all, what good is a dental plan if there aren't any dental providers located within driving distance of where you live. If there is three or less dental providers nearby, you should call their offices and make sure that they are still accepting the plan you're considering joining.

Should I Pay For A Plan By The Month Or The Year?
DiscountDental4u.net recommends buying a dental plan on a monthly basis, especially if you're unsure if you'll be getting dental coverage through your employer in the next 6-8 months. However, it should be noted that subscribing to a discount dental plan on a yearly basis will probably save you more money than if you subscribed on a month-to-month basis. Less money upfront vs. less money in the long-run; your choice.

To What Extent Does The Plan Cover Specialists?
DiscountDental4u.net recommends choosing a plan that offers at least a 20% discount on all work done by dental specialists (Periodontists, Orthodontists, Oral Surgeons, etc.) unless you live in a rural area where just finding a dental specialist is rare, let alone one that accepts discounted dental plans. Please note that many dental procedures usually associated with "Specialists" (whitening, implants and root canals for example) can frequently be done by a general dentist at a much lower cost so don't be so quick to see a "specialist".

How Trustworthy Is The Dental Plan Company?
Despite being part of a very heavily regulated industry, companies that put out discount dental plans have a history of fly-by-night operators who look to scam the public such as collecting membership fees without providing any service. Make sure you are working with a legitimate firm by checking with your state insurance commissioner to see if the firm is registered. You can reach your state insurance office by visiting NAIC.org.

How Long Before Dental Benefits "Kick In"?
DiscountDental4u.net recommends choosing a discount dental plan that allows you to begin using your benefits within a week or two of joining, except for emergency dentistry situations where you need a dental plan with instant activation so that you can see a dentist the same or next day you enroll.