Just a friendly FYI...
We are in a slowing economy, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Here is a problem we have encountered many. many times in recent years. If you are in the market for a good dental plan, this may be something you are unaware of.
Since we are a dental plan, we spend many hours each week monitoring what's happening in the dental field. One thing that still pops up frequently is the many dental offices that offer their own dental plan.
On the surface, this may appear to be a great offer to the patient of the dental office BUT it should raise a couple of red flags, too.
1. For a small fee (usually under $100.00 per year), paid directly to the dental office, they will lower their usual fee by as much as 50%. The main question to ask yourself is, "Why are their usual fees so high to begin with". We all know that such a small membership fee doesn't offset the discount that they are offering.
2. Does the fact that they are willing to drop their fees if you purchase their dental plan cause a trust issue with that dental office? When I have the chance to explain in detail like I did in paragraph 1, the majority of the people I talk with usually develop some level of a trust issue.
3. What happens if you decide that you don't like the dental office, don't agree with the treatment plan, or move too far away making it almost impossible to continue to go to that dental office. Is another dental office going to accept the plan that you purchased? I can say with 99% accuracy the answer is NO!! You are now stuck with a dental plan that you can only use at one office or a mega office (a series of offices managed by a group) and nowhere else.
Dental plans like Savon Dental Plan do one thing. They provide their members with quality, affordable dental care at select dental offices in several states. The dental plan controls the fees, not the dental office. If you have a problem with a dentist, simply choose a new dentist. If you feel you were overcharged, the dental plan is there, ready and willing to act on your behalf to sort out the issue. Our fees do not vary, they are set and adjusted approximately every 18 months to keep up with the rising cost of materials and services. These cost adjustments are generally minimal. They are designed to keep the prices fair for both the dental provider and the patient.
Don't get caught in the trap of purchasing a dental plan that may be good only at the dental office or dental group that sells it to you. Investigate all of your options and find a good solid dental plan that works for you. Do your homework first!
On the surface, this may appear to be a great offer to the patient of the dental office BUT it should raise a couple of red flags, too.
1. For a small fee (usually under $100.00 per year), paid directly to the dental office, they will lower their usual fee by as much as 50%. The main question to ask yourself is, "Why are their usual fees so high to begin with". We all know that such a small membership fee doesn't offset the discount that they are offering.
2. Does the fact that they are willing to drop their fees if you purchase their dental plan cause a trust issue with that dental office? When I have the chance to explain in detail like I did in paragraph 1, the majority of the people I talk with usually develop some level of a trust issue.
3. What happens if you decide that you don't like the dental office, don't agree with the treatment plan, or move too far away making it almost impossible to continue to go to that dental office. Is another dental office going to accept the plan that you purchased? I can say with 99% accuracy the answer is NO!! You are now stuck with a dental plan that you can only use at one office or a mega office (a series of offices managed by a group) and nowhere else.
Dental plans like Savon Dental Plan do one thing. They provide their members with quality, affordable dental care at select dental offices in several states. The dental plan controls the fees, not the dental office. If you have a problem with a dentist, simply choose a new dentist. If you feel you were overcharged, the dental plan is there, ready and willing to act on your behalf to sort out the issue. Our fees do not vary, they are set and adjusted approximately every 18 months to keep up with the rising cost of materials and services. These cost adjustments are generally minimal. They are designed to keep the prices fair for both the dental provider and the patient.
Don't get caught in the trap of purchasing a dental plan that may be good only at the dental office or dental group that sells it to you. Investigate all of your options and find a good solid dental plan that works for you. Do your homework first!
Original post from C.J. on August 24, 2011
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