7 Ways to Save Money on Expensive Dental Procedures
>> Jan 17, 2019
Going
to the dentist can cost a small fortune. Between the rising costs of care and
the increasingly available technology for dental procedures, it can be hard to
figure out what you can and can’t afford. While more people have dental
insurance now than in the past, the average cost of a visit is still quite high
comparably. Fortunately, a little insight is all that you need to save money on
your dental work, no matter what procedures you need done.
Prevention
and Proactive Habits
The
best way to save money on costly dental work is to not even need it in the
first place. If you are able to practice good oral hygiene and schedule regular
cleanings and dental care, you may never need to worry about root canals,
implants, crowns, partials, or expensive oral surgery procedures. Brush and
floss regularly according to the ADA
guidelines,
and talk to your dentist about creating an oral care plan to keep your teeth in
good shape for as long as possible.
Get
Insured
While
dental insurance will not cover every single expense that you may incur, it can
cover a lot of the costs of routine dental care, including those expensive
procedures that you need done. If your employers offer dental coverage, sign
up. If they don’t, look for an insurance plan on your own. It is actually quite
affordable, and definitely more affordable than paying for all of the dental
work that you need out of pocket. There are some health plans in the ACA
marketplace that include dental coverage. Some people can also get coverage
from Medicaid or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Check
Out Discount Plans
Dental
discount plans are not dental insurance. They are, however, a great way to save
money on dental procedures. These savings plans usually include an annual fee
for membership, which grants members discounted pricing at a huge network of
dentists. Some offer as much as 50% off services if you belong to a discount
plan or service. This is usually a one-time expense that can be more feasible
than insurance. It can also offer additional coverage for those who are already
insured and simply want more protection from high out-of-pocket costs.
Ask
Questions about What is Necessary
While
a dentist is highly trained in his or her field, that doesn’t mean that they
are the final word on what dental procedures you need done. Feel free to speak
up, especially if cost is a concern, when a dentist suggests work that may be
more expensive than you are comfortable with. Today’s dentists are much more
willing to work with patients to find affordable solutions. Ask what
alternatives are available, if any, to an expensive procedure that is
recommended. Talk about your treatment plan and find out what needs done first.
Some professionals refer to this as a triage -- assess what dental procedures
are urgent, which can wait, and what temporary solutions might be available to
help you avoid big bills if you are on a tight budget at the current time.
Check
out Dental Schools and Community Health Centers
Both
of these locations offer a lot of low-cost alternatives to traditional dental
offices. While you may not be able to see your preferred dentist, you will be
able to get a significant savings on work that you have done. Dental schools,
in particular, are a great resource. They offer big discounts on dental
procedures done by students who are still under faculty supervision. Plus, in
addition to saving money, you are helping students complete their training and
improve their skills in their profession.
Use
Your FSA or HSA
Most
employers today offer a flexible spending account (FSA) or Health Savings
Account (HSA) option to their employees as a part of their medical insurance
plan. This is money that is automatically deducted from your paychecks and put
into a special account that can only be used for medical purposes. If you are
facing serious dental work, such as needing a partial or implants, you can curb
your out-of-pocket expense by utilizing whatever funds you have in this
account.
Ask
About Payment Plans and Cash Discounts
If
dental insurance and discount plans aren’t enough, or if you are unable to
obtain these things, you do have one more option to get more affordable dental
work. A lot of providers offer cash discounts for patients who pay up front and
cover the expense out-of-pocket. Not only does this save them credit card
processing fees, but they don’t have to worry about billing insurance providers
or chasing you down for payment. Therefore, they may be willing to pass the
savings along to you.
In
lieu of a straight discount, you can also inquire about payment plan
arrangements that you can make with your dentist. Ask them if you can make a
partial payment now and set up future payments so that you don’t have to cover
the huge expense at one time. More dentists are open to this option than you
think. After all, their main goal is helping you get the dental care that you
need.
The
Bottom Line
If
you have been putting off expensive dental procedures because you don’t have
the money, you no longer have to avoid the dentist. Even with insurance,
procedures like oral surgery can get quite expensive, so it is important to
have options. Make sure that you talk to your provider about the work that you
need done as well as your financial situation to come up with an effective
treatment plan. Whatever you do, don’t avoid the dentist just because of the
expense, because you have plenty of ways to make even the most expensive
procedures more affordable. Contact us today to learn how Morgan
Street Dental Dentist
can help.
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