Searching for a Dental Plan that is NOT a scam?

I need to have several teeth pulled. I currently live in Northwest Indiana. I am a full time student and I do not have any health insurance. I was denied coverage thru medicaid. PLEASE HELP. I am in extreme pain. I need a dental plan that will begin immediately, low start up cost, and one that will accept my pre-exsisting condition. There are so many plans out there I have no idea which is legit or a scam. HELP!

Searching for a Dental Plan that is NOT a scam?
The American Dental Association recommends "care credit",


so take a look at this link. You might do to your local dental school -





Indiana University School of Dentistry


1121 West Michigan Street


Indianapolis, IN 46202


Dean: Dr. Lawrence Goldblatt


Phone: (317) 274-7461


Accreditation Status: Approval without Reporting Requirements


Last Accreditation Visit: 2006


Next Accreditation Visit: 2013


Web Address: www.iusd.iupui.edu





as they charge considerably less for treatment and the students are well trained and supervised. Or, ask someone you know for a recommendation or call offices and inquire if they will work with a payment plan. Perhaps a local clinic with sliding fee scale based on your income could be of help!





Hope that helps!


JAMRDH - a dental hygienist
Reply:You have five options with dental. I did a cost analysis on the removal of three teeth. The average cost in my area for extractions is $135.





1. No insurance. Cost analysis - $405.





2. Visit a local dental school. You can get many procedures done for a reduced price if you're willing to let them practice on you. Most will average around a 30% discount. Cost analysis - $283.50





3. Insurance - Depending upon the policy: cost $20-$60 per month (average $34). You pay a $50 deductible first, they have an annual maximum that they'll pay per year of $750 - $1500, they have a waiting period of 6 months for extractions and 18 months for major work. You pay 20% for extractions and 50% for major work. Cost analysis - 6 months premium = $204, deductible of $50 plus 20% = $131 for a total of $335. Advantage - you can use any dentist with most plans.





4. Discount plans - Cost - $5-$12 per month. No deductible, no annual maximum and no waiting periods. Also, hardly any dentists will accept the plan and when they do you MIGHT get a 10% discount, which is about the same discount you can get by paying cash. Be very wary of these plans because most are scams. The people that sell these plans have little or no knowledge about health %26amp; dental insurance and do not need a license to sell them. The plans are not regulated by the state so you have no recourse when you have problems. Some states are starting to ban these plans from being sold. Here is an informative link http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/wes... concerning these plans. Cost analysis with this plan - $30 application fee, $11.95 monthly premium plus 90% cost of average extraction = $406.05. You can cancel after one month but they make it very hard.





5. Fee for Service discount plans - Cost $79.95-$139.95 per year (they don't have monthly payment options). No deductible, no annual maximum and no waiting periods. Many dentist will accept the plan (check providers first before signing up with any plan). When you use the plan there is a set fee that the dentist will charge you. Cost analysis - yearly premium of $109.95 plus extraction fee of $177 = $286.95.





Summary - option 1 = $405, option 2 = $283.50, option 3 = $335, option 4 = $406.05, option 5 = $286.95.





I'm an insurance agent and my personal plan is the fee for service plan. I got mine here http://www.dpbrokers.com/default.aspx?lo... specifically the Aetna Dental Access plan but which one you get depends upon your area and comparing the fee schedule to find the best for what you need covered.