It’s not always easy to afford quality dental care. Fortunately, most offices nowadays provide many different ways you can save money, like in-house membership plans and dental insurance coverage.
These two options in particular can look pretty similar, though, especially if you’re a first-time patient. If you’re wondering what the difference is, keep reading. This post will lay it all out in clear and simple terms!
Dental Insurance Basics
Now, dental insurance can be confusing to say the least. And since no two plans are quite the same, it’s always a good idea to confirm your coverage with your provider or with your dentist. With that out of the way, here are some key facts you should know:
- In order to receive dental insurance benefits, you pay a low monthly premium.
- Your coverage may vary depending on whether you visit an out-of-network or in-network dentist (PPO plans usually follow this rule).
- A deductible is the amount of money you have to spend out-of-pocket before your coverage will “kick in” for certain services (checkups and cleanings are typically 100% covered regardless).
- An annual maximum is the most amount of money your dental insurance provider will use to cover your expenses in a given year.
- Certain services might have a waiting period, meaning you have to wait for a few weeks after purchasing a policy for some coverage to become “active.”
- Dental insurance benefits don’t “roll over” into the new year, so if you don’t use them, you basically lose them.
Overall, dental insurance tends to be relatively inexpensive, and most plans ensure you get two free checkups and cleanings per year. But coverage for other services do come with restrictions.
How an In-House Membership Plan Works
While dental insurance is almost always provided by a third party, an in-house membership plan is often provided directly by your dentist. Some offices charge an annual fee, some do so monthly, and others allow you to choose your preference. In exchange, you’ll receive a discount on their various services. The details can vary from office to office, but here’s an outline of how most in-house membership plans work:
- You can receive one or two free checkups and cleanings per year (this usually includes x-rays).
- All other services are discounted by 15%.
- There are no deductibles, annual maximums, or waiting periods, and you never have to worry about being “out-of-network.”
Like dental insurance, an in-house membership plan can help you save money via a monthly fee. Unlike dental insurance, there aren’t restrictions on when and how you can use your discount.
Which One is Right for Me?
There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to make your dental appointments more affordable. That said, in-house membership plans are typically only offered to uninsured patients. Talk to your dentist about your options, and they’ll be happy to walk you through all the details!
About the Practice
Dr. Andrew Cote and Dr. Jacob Son value the lasting relationships they form with their patients. To them, quality dental care isn’t just about providing top-notch treatment – it’s also about being an attentive dentist who can make sure their patients feel good about their treatment plans. If part of that means working within your budget, they’ll readily help you navigate your affordability options! To see whether your dental insurance plan is in-network or whether you would benefit from our in-house membership plan, contact our office at 303-797-6453.