DentalPlans.com Review
Most dental insurance plans have low deductibles and reasonable monthly rates, but also have downsides such as a $1,000 to $1,500 yearly limit on covered dental work and waiting periods of up to 12 months before any major procedures will be approved. If you can’t wait for costly dental treatments, a DentalPlans.com plan comes with a big network of over 100,000 dental service providers with savings from 10 to 60 percent. All of this comes with no waiting period and low annual fees that range from $100 to $200, depending on your location and the number of people you’re covering.
Pros
- Choose a plan by dentist, procedure or savings on DentalPlan.com website
- Many plans come with extra perks like discounts on vision, prescriptions, hearing and chiropractic care
- DentalPlans.com is easy to navigate with instant plan comparisons
Cons
- No provider networks in South Dakota and Vermont
DentalPlans.com Dental Savings Plans
According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC), 36 percent of American adults aged 18 to 64 haven’t seen a dentist within the past year. That number rises for seniors aged 65 and over, up to 37.3 percent. As the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH) reports, 18 percent of seniors 65 and older have untreated tooth decay.
Medicare does not cover most dental care like cleanings, fillings, dentures, or other dental devices unless a severe dental issue lands you in the hospital.
DentalPlans.com (:DP) gives you choices with over 30 dental savings plans and online plan comparisons and savings calculator tools to help you choose the best option to help pay for dental services. While the company has members of all ages, the majority are from the age of 55 to over 65. The website is easy to use, and once you sign up, you can print your dental plan card and see at a glance what various procedures will cost.
DentalPlans.com has a lot of online resources to help you learn about all of their products, or you can call the U.S.-based: DP AtYourService customer support team with questions. Either way, you will receive information about Medicare, Medicaid, private dental insurance coverage, and the benefits you can expect from the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
DentalPlans.com Plans and Costs
We compared the number of plans offered and the average cost from several different cities known for access to excellent health care. Depending on whether you’re buying for yourself or for your family, where you live and which plan you select, the costs for DentalPlans.com’s offerings are low compared to traditional insurance.
| City | Individual Plans |
Avg. Annual Cost |
Family Plans |
Avg. Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 20 | $63.96 – $143.96 | 20 | $103.96 – $239.96 |
| Madison, WI | 15 | $99.96 – $159.96 | 15 | $143.96 – $239.96 |
| Overland Park, KS | 19 | $63.96 – $159.96 | 19 | $103.96 – $239.96 |
| Raleigh, NC | 20 | $63.96 – $159.96 | 20 | $103.96 – $239.96 |
| San Francisco, CA | 4 | $124.95 – $154.95 | 4 | $179.95 – $199.95 |
| Honolulu, HI | 20 | $63.96 – $159.96 | 20 | $143.96 – $239.96 |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 23 | $63.96 – $159.96 | 23 | $103.96 – $239.96 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 18 | $63.96 – $143.96 | 18 | $103.96 – $239.96 |
| Orlando, FL | 21 | $63.96 – $159.96 | 21 | $103.96 – $239.96 |
| Lincoln, NE | 18 | $63.96 – $159.96 | 18 | $103.96 – $239.96 |
How to Use DentalPlans.com Dental Savings Plans
Using a dental savings plan from DentalPlans.com involves paying one annual fee to gain access to a network of dentists who charge reduced fees for services to plan members. There are no surprises with dental costs as the rates are predetermined, so you know the cost associated with your dental care in advance. The savings range from 10 to 60 percent off dentist’s customary fees across the U.S.
To choose a plan on DentalPlans.com, click on Find a Plan, then narrow your search by dentists in your area, savings, procedures or select a business plan. Alternatively, you can enter your ZIP code on the site to get a list of plans or participating dentists. Compare plans and make your selection, pay the annual fee, and within 72 hours your plan will be activated. Once activated, you can use your dental savings plan for even complex procedures, and there is no waiting period.
DentalPlans.com Savings
When we tried the dental plan search on DentalPlans.com, we received options that cost from $79.99 to $199.99 per year for an individual and $129.99 to $299.99 for a family. The list included a dental insurance policy with a monthly rate. Unlike the dental savings plans, the insurance did not cover X-rays for six months from the date of purchase, and the wait was 12 months for oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, crown and cast restorations, and other procedures.
| Plan | Savings | Included Health Discounts |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna Vital Dental Savings℠ Plus Rx | 15% to 50% | Pharmacy, vision, hearing |
| Affordable Family Health Services | 25% to 60% | Pharmacy, vision, chiropractic |
| American Dental Plan | 10% to 60% | Dental only |
| Aon Dental Solutions Plan | 15% to 50% | Dental only |
| Avia Dental Plan | 20% to 70% | Pharmacy and vision |
| Careington Care 500 Series | 20% to 60% | Pharmacy and vision |
| CIGNAPlus Savings | 15% to 50% | Vision, hearing, chiropractic, tobacco cessation, massage therapy and more |
| CVS iSave | 15% to 50% | Pharmacy, vision, hearing, prepaid diagnostic imaging, labs and more |
| Dental Care Advantage | 20% to 60% | Pharmacy, vision, hearing, chiropractic |
| :DP CompleteCare | 15% to 50% | Online medical consultations, Personal Health Advocate and more |
| :DP SmartHealth | 20% to 50% | Pharmacy, vision, hearing, emergency medical travel assistance and more |
| Patriot Plan Plus | 10% to 50% | Pharmacy, vision, hearing, chiropractic |
| Preferred Network Access by CIGNA | 10% to 60% | Dental only |
Combining a DentalPlans.com Dental Savings Plan with Insurance
If you have dental insurance, you may be able to work with your dentist to use benefits from both your insurance and a dental savings plan. While you can’t use a dental savings plan and submit an insured claim for the same procedure, a dental savings plan can be used to reduce your out-of-pocket costs once you have reached your deductible. Dental insurance typically has a maximum annual coverage of $750 to $2,000; then the insured pays 100 percent of dental bills. Using a dental savings plan with dental insurance will likely save you quite a bit of money, especially if you have a family or are expecting extensive dental procedures.
DentalPlans.com Complaints
The reviews and ratings for DentalPlans.com are mostly positive. Personal finance author, financial adviser and TV host Suze Orman personally recommends DentalPlans.com. The Better Business Bureau rates the company with an A+ while TrustPilot ranks them an 8.3 out of 10 based on nearly 5,000 customer reviews. ConsumerAffairs rates DentalPlans.com a 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Of the few complaints we saw, most were about the customer’s preferred dentist not accepting dental plan cards.
DentalPlans.com Q&A
-
Dental savings plans from DentalPlans.com cover what procedures?
Basic, preventive, restorative, orthodontics, cosmetic, dentures/implants and oral surgery are all generally discounted to some extent. The level of savings depends on your plan. -
Is there an annual limit on plans from DentalPlans.com?
No. Unlike traditional dental insurance, there is no yearly limit on how much of a discount you can get. -
How do the payments work with dental savings plans?
Once you have purchased your plan from DentalPlans.com, you pay the dentist directly at your appointment, but the fees are at a discounted rate. -
How do I know which DentalPlan.com plan is right for me?
When choosing a dental savings plan, there are a few considerations to ensure you’ll get the highest value out of your membership. Look at the number of dental providers in your area, whether your current dentist is in-network, annual membership cost and whether you would utilize any additional health savings offered by some of the plans. -
How do I know if my dentist is in DentalPlans.com’s network?
You can visit DentalPlans.com and, under the “Look up Dentists in Your Area” page, type in your dentist’s name, zip code and dentist code (if you know it).
Conclusion
Even if you have excellent dental insurance, the chances are better than average that there will be some procedures in your future that your policy won’t cover. Not only will a dental savings plan from DentalPlans.com help with those costs, but it will also give you the flexibility to have more dental work done in one year. Maxing out your annual limit with dental insurance no longer means you can’t have dental work done until the next calendar year.
If you’re interested in learning more about DentalPlans.com, call 888-966-9104 or visit their website for more information.