5 Simple Secrets To Pay Less For Dental Insurance
Would you like to know how to get dental insurance for almost half (or less) of what you currently pay? If so, this is going to be the most interesting message you will ever read.
When you go to the dentist, do you pay more than other people with less coverage? If so, you are not alone. Many dental plans are designed with the “lowest common denominator” in mind—i.e. the least expensive plan that offers the most protection.
The average American spends about $1,300 per year on dental insurance.
That means if your spouse and you both have regular dental appointments every six months, you’re spending over $18,000 per year just on dental insurance! Is it really worth it?
Or could you be spending that $18,000 on something else instead? If you’re an entrepreneur or a small business owner, you should definitely pay less for dental insurance… Here are five ways to do just that:
1. Find out what dentists charge for an average procedure
Do you know what dentists charge for an average procedure?
If not, find out. Then compare that figure to the price your insurance company charges for the same procedure and you will quickly discover that you are being overcharged.
Write a letter or make a call and ask to be put on the schedule of procedures that the insurance company negotiates with the doctors. This will lower your dental insurance cost by approximately 40%.
2. Negotiate with the dental office for a lower price
One of the biggest money-savers for dental patients is to ask for a discount. But, too often, patients are afraid to ask for a deal because they don’t want to appear cheap or because they fear the dentist won’t agree to a discount.
All you’re doing by worrying about the dentist’s reaction is to guarantee that you won’t get a deal. Instead, approach the situation with confidence.
Know in advance what kind of discount (if any) you’re willing to accept and then simply make the request. It’s not unreasonable to ask for a 20% discount.
By the way, I don’t recommend using these secrets to bargain with your dentist unless you are certain you want to keep your current dentist.
There may be other insurance providers who will be willing to offer a better price if you switch dentists. You can always ask your current dentist for a referral to another dentist.
Another option is to go to a dental school clinic and see what they can do for you. If none of that works for you, you might have to pay out of pocket until your next dental checkup.
However, I bet if you use the secrets mentioned in this blog post, you will be able to get a good deal from your current dentist.
3. Use a discount broker like www.cibill.com
There are many different ways to lower the amount of insurance you need to buy. But, the easiest way to start is to shop around and compare dental insurance quotes from several different companies.
And, if you are already a member of a group plan (like your company provides) then, you should absolutely check with your current insurance provider to see if they offer any type of “special enrollment” or “buy-up” period where you could sign up for a new policy and get a substantial discount.
Discount brokers like Cibill are in direct competition with insurance companies.
That means you can get dental insurance at a substantial discount (sometimes as much as 50%) compared to what you would pay if you went through a broker or an agent representing an insurance company.
By using a discount broker like CIbill, you can often get dental insurance for less than half of what you would pay otherwise.
There are many reasons people don’t purchase dental insurance. One of the biggest is the cost. But, if you can learn these 5 simple secrets, you too can enjoy lower premiums and a lower total cost of coverage.
4. Set up an installment plan with the dentist
One of the ways dentists get paid is by charging an upfront fee and then billing their patients for services rendered. This method of payment creates an imbalance in the relationship.
Most dentists feel a need to “recoup” their costs somehow… even if… the patient is willing to pay for the work. In other words, there is an underlying feeling of obligation. However, the dentist can alleviate this situation by offering the patient an installment plan.
Let’s say the total cost of the work is $1,000. Under an installment plan, the dentist might agree to perform work at a discounted rate of $300 per visit. If the first visit is scheduled three weeks from now and the patient makes six payments of $100 each, then the entire bill will be paid in full.
Setting up an installment plan helps people visualize the future costs of a large purchase in smaller, more manageable chunks.
This technique makes the future costs of the purchase seem less scary and can often lead to much lower purchase totals. It also helps the buyer feel like he is in control, which can be an important element in the conversion process.
This works on several levels. First, it makes the dentist feel as though he is part of your healthcare team.
Second, it gives you a chance to get to know your dentist on a personal level and form a bond that will be extremely valuable down the road.
Lastly, this method of payment reduces the chances of you canceling your dental insurance since you are making regular payments to the dentist rather than paying the whole bill all at once.
5. Consider using a different dentist
When you decide to go to the dentist, you already have a sense of dread, right? And you are correct! It’s because going to the dentist is one of those things that just about guarantees you will experience excruciating pain.
Not only that, many dentists are “snowballing” patients into ever-longer treatments by making them feel they need extensive work. Using a different dentist can cut your insurance premium by as much as 30%.
This is one of those ideas that could be worth its weight in gold. Using a different dentist can lower your premiums by 10% to 40%.
What’s the reason? Simply because different dentists have different costs. Some might charge more than others.
Some might have a more generous provider network. Others might specialize in cosmetic work or complex procedures that are not needed for the basic dental care you require.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many ways you can use this information to cut costs, such as: shopping for dental insurance from a broker instead of directly from an insurer, looking for lower-cost plans, and asking your dentist for suggestions. By using these secrets, you can expect to pay about $1,000 less on average for a family policy.
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