Experts estimate that 74 million Americans are living without dental insurance, which is nearly a quarter of the total population. With such a staggering figure, it’s no wonder that patients are seeking dentists with an affordable in-house dental plan.
At Austin Laser Dentist, Dr. Helen E. Ragsdale understands that lack of insurance precludes many patients from getting the oral healthcare they deserve. That’s why she offers flexible financing options and affordable in-house dental plans.
Want to learn more about our in-house dental plans? Call our Austin, TX, dentist’s office at 512-346-4690 or contact us online. Meanwhile, let us explain how dental insurance is rapidly becoming obsolete.
Does your insurance cover everything? Probably not.
Having insurance does not mean that all medical and dental procedures will be covered under your plan. Additionally, the legal jargon of insurance policies makes them difficult for the average consumer to understand what procedures are covered. Subsequently, many patients receive healthcare that they believe their insurance will cover but doesn’t.
As a result, 50% of Americans are living with crushing medical debt that they didn’t realize they were going to assume. Therefore, having dental insurance does not guarantee debt-free living or adequate healthcare.
Dental Insurance Can Limit Your Access to Dental Care
The two most common types of insurance plans available to patients are:
- -Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
- -Preferred provider organizations (PPOs)
HMOs generally require lower monthly premiums, which many consumers find appealing. However, HMOs may limit your access to healthcare because those plans restrict your care to an approved list of in-network doctors. Patients are liable for all medical fees if they receive care with a doctor who is out of network.
PPOs offer more flexibility because those plans do not have a list of approved in-network providers. So, patients are free to choose the provider that suits them best. However, PPOs have higher monthly premiums that many patients may not be able to afford.
Subsequently, dental insurance forces patients to choose between limited healthcare access or higher monthly premiums. For many patients, neither is a suitable option for them or their families.
Premiums, deductibles, and co-pays–oh, my!
The average dental insurance plan costs patients approximately $360 per person annually. However, that does not include the yearly deductible that patients must meet before their insurance provider begins covering costs. For many patients, reaching their deductible could take hundreds or thousands of dollars that they don’t have.
Additionally, many insurance providers require co-payments. Unfortunately, co-payments do not usually contribute to the deductible limit. Therefore, many patients are paying well over what they had originally budgeted for their dental insurance.
Ditch dental insurance–choose an in-house dental plan!
When you choose an in-house dental plan at Austin Laser Dentist, you’re choosing affordable and accessible healthcare. Our basic in-house dental plan starts at $349.99, which is below the average annual cost of insurance premiums. Additionally, our dental plans do not include hefty deductibles or co-payments.
Not only are our in-house dental plans more cost-effective, but they also offer more covered options. For example, our basic plan includes 10% off cosmetic procedures. Whereas, most dental insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures at all.
Switch to an in-house dental plan today!
Want to learn more about in-house dental plans and financing options at Austin Laser Dentist? Give our Austin, TX, dental office a call now at 512-346-4690 or contact us online. We’re ready to give you the comprehensive and affordable dental care you deserve!
