Plans starting at $11.99/mo *Must be at least 18 years old to subscribe.
Step:
These additional discounts work for you, too
No. The two are not the same.
Dental insurance is a type of insurance where you pay a premium and after any deductibles or copays, insurance pays for covered dental expenses, either in full or partially, up to an annual maximum. Insurance plans may include limits on the number of services covered within a certain number of months or years. Also, plans may exclude some services, like orthodontics or cosmetic services.
Dental discount plans like Dental Savings Complete operate more like price clubs. You pay a fee, and you get access to certain discounted rates at participating dentists. There’s no payout from the discount plan company to your dental provider. Additionally, dental discount plans may include discounts for a broader range of services your dental insurance doesn't cover.
Note: Both are generally a better option than paying cash out-of-pocket because both have negotiated lower rates on dental care with the dentists involved in their networks.
Dental Insurance | Discount Plan | |
---|---|---|
Monthly cost | Generally higher than discount plans | Generally lower than dental insurance |
Who pays | A balance between you and the insurance company | You do. You pay the fee for joining and pay for the dental service at the discounted provider rate. |
Rates and providers | In-network providers provide services at discounted rates or by copay. Some plans cover Preventive care at no cost. | Participating providers provide reduce rates on services |
Deductible | Generally yes | No |
Copay/coinsurance | Sometimes | No |
Waiting period | Usually not for Preventive care, sometimes for basic or major services | No |
Annual maximum benefit | Usually yes | No. Since no benefits are paid out, there is no maximum benefit. |
Costs vary from plan to plan, but for Dental Savings Complete, you pay a one-time registration fee of $20. Then you pay just $11.99 per month ($14.99 for families) for unlimited discounts on a wide range of services at participating dentists.
Hearing: Through UnitedHealthcare Hearing - 30-50%2 off hearing aids and services. Included is the discounted cost of a hearing aid, hearing exams and 3 follow-up visits along with a 3-year extended warranty for repairs or one-time replacement.
Vision: 25% discount on glasses and 10% discount on contacts through UHCGlasses.com3 and 35% off LASIK services4. Discounts not applicable to shipping and taxes. Terms & Conditions apply: The discount cannot be used on top of actual vision benefits.
Prescriptions: The included Optum Perks card provides up to 30-80%5 discount on many prescription drugs at participating pharmacies.
No. There are no claims to file and no forms to fill out. You simply show your card at a participating dental provider, purchase online using the vision website listed and enter the discount code your membership provides, or contact UnitedHealthcare Hearing to get your savings right at the point of sale.
No. Use as many discounts as you need. There are no annual limits or maximums.
No. It may take up to 72 hours to receive your enrollment card. However, once you have it, then you're ready to save!
Dental Savings Complete is NOT INSURANCE and is not associated with any other insurance product for which you are applying. It is administered by Dental Benefit Providers, Inc. Please see Dental Savings Complete brochure for additional details.
1 Based on Dental Benefit Provider network claims dating April 2023 - March 2024. Actual savings may vary.
2 60-day trial period for hearing aids purchased through a provider.
3 Discounts are for materials only and only apply to select frames. Exams and other vision services are not covered. Member is responsible for obtaining a prescription prior to purchasing. Not applicable to shipping and taxes. Terms & Conditions apply: the discount cannot be used on top of actual vision benefits.
4 Visit uhc.qualsight.com for more details.
5 Based on pharmacy's usual and customary price. Actual savings may vary. The Optum Perks card is a discount program only and available to the general public.
6 To qualify for 20% savings, you must choose the annual membership option and pay in full for the year. Annual payments are non-refundable, outside the 30 day free look period, in all states, except Oklahoma.