What Are Discount Health Plans?

As anyone who has had to pay for health insuranceplan. Among the 30% that do have dental insurance,
directly can tell you, the cost of insuring a family of 4most are underinsured. Many insurance plans do not
has risen tremendously over the past few decades.provide treatment for ongoing conditions, have
Many small and medium sized businesses can noexpenditure limits, waiting periods, and often don't
longer afford to provide their employees withprovide for even necessary procedures such as
expensive major medical policies. Increasingly,orthodontic treatment. Cosmetic dentistry and
companies are asking employees to shoulder more ofimplants are usually not covered.
the burden of health insurance, and many companiesDiscount dental plans provide the consumer with an
have terminated their health insurance benefits,excellent choice for saving money on dental care.
altogether. Other companies do not take on full timeThese affordable benefits are reasonably priced
workers, so that they can save the cost of providingalternatives to expensive dental insurance. Savings
health insurance for their employees.can range from 25% for specialist treatment to 80%
If your company does not provide health insurance,for exams. Most major dental procedures such as
most likely you will either have to purchase anfillings, root canals, dentures, crowns and bridges, and
expensive major medical policy on your own or doorthodontic treatment are available through plan
without. Because the high cost of medical insurancedentists at a 50% to 60% discount--literally cutting a
can be out of reach for many, some families willfamily's dental bill in half. In addition, patients with
choose to go without these important benefits. Theongoing conditions can qualify for these plans, and
cost of health insurance can take a big bite out of athere are no restrictions on visits or services. Often
middle income family's budget. These families are trulythese affordable dental plans offer value added
caught between. They earn too much to qualify forservices such as discounts on vision care,
Medicaid and other government assistance programs,prescriptions, and chiropractic treatment.
but do not earn enough to afford the high cost ofMany discount health programs also offer a basic
health benefits. Even if you can afford the high pricehealth plan which provides discounts on medical
of health insurance, if you suffer from even veryexaminations and physician visits. Ancillary services
treatable chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes,such as laboratory tests, imaging studies (MRIs, CAT
hypertension, high cholesterol, or heart disease, youscans, mammograms), physical therapy, hearing aids,
can be refused coverage. Individuals have even beenmental health services, and diabetic supplies are also
turned down for excess weight and prescription drugprovided at significant discounts. A 24/7 nurse line
use. It seems like the major insurance companies areand wellness programs may also be included in a
looking for reasons not to insure people, so thosequality discount health program. Should the patient
individuals who need it most may find themselvesbecome hospitalized, the patient will be assigned an
without any benefits.advocate who will negotiate the hospital bill and work
Fortunately discount health plans offer families a wayout a payment plan based on the patient's financial
to save money on their health care costs. But whatsituation. Hospital bills have been drastically reduced
are discount health plans, and how can they be usedthrough these advocacy programs. One company,
to help families and businesses?AmeriPlan(R) USA, has introduced a prescription
Discount health plans can be used in several differentadvocacy program. This program takes advantage of
ways. For those individuals or families that lack dentalpatient assistance programs available through large
or health benefits, discount medical plans can be useddrug companies. Eligible individuals with over $90 per
as stand alone health programs. These discount plansmonth in prescription drug expenses, who meet
provide important savings on all medical and dentalincome requirements, may be able to receive all or
services. Consumers can even save money onmost of their prescriptions for just the cost of a
medical costs not normally covered by traditionalsmall monthly service fee.
insurance such as cosmetic surgery, cosmeticAnother popular plan is the combined medical and
dentistry, dental implants, orthodontia, Lasik eyedental discount plan. This plan combines all of the
surgery, and even alternative medicine. Unlikefeatures of our dental, vision, prescription, and
traditional insurance, there are no limits on visits orchiropractic program with discounts on physician
services, no waiting periods, no age limits, andvisits, ancillary services, hospital advocacy, and a 24/7
ongoing conditions are accepted.nurse line.
Businesses can save money by purchasing a healthWhen searching for a discount health program, here
savings account or a catastrophic plan. A discountare some of my recommendations: Look for a
medical plan is purchased along with the highcompany with membership in both the Consumer
deductible plan. These supplemental benefits provideHealth Alliance and the National Association of Dental
savings on routine costs while the catastrophicPlans. These two organizations set strict standards
insurance provides a safety net for lengthyfor discount dental and medical programs and are
hospitalizations and complex care. By combining a highyour assurance that the company maintains strict
deductible insurance plan with a discount healthcustomer service standards. Also look for a company
program, companies can save money on their healththat offers a good choice of dentists, doctors, and
insurance benefits while providing their valuedother health care providers in your area. The
employees with the security that they need.company should also provide an 800 customer
The discount dental plan is probably the most popularservice number, a schedule of provider fees and
discount health program. According to statistics,services, and informational booklets and websites.
seven out of ten Americans do not have a dental