[Bryant]

Now that I am retired and without dental insurance, I need some work done, of course >. Does anyone know of a decent discount dental plan or dental insurance plan that has participants in this area? I have also seen an ad in the local paper for 3 or more crowns for $399 ea. (Dr. James Costello at Sunrise Dental in Leesburg). Has anyone had any experience with this dental practice? Thank you for your response.

[peachpit]

Man, that would be like buying a second hand parachute!

Maybe we could all chip in for you?

I did know of a guy who was able to fly to China and get some bridge work done. It actually cost him less than doing it here in the states!

[inda50]

I also see the ad all the time, surely someone has tried one of the three offices. Plz post.

[Skip]

I am starting to investigate Assurant Secure Choice Dental Plan here in Florida. The "Prepayment Fees" (premiums) are only $109.82 per year. Couples are $185.86 per year. You must go to one of their network dentists and there are some in Leesburg, Eustis and Ocala. You have no deductions, no claim forms, no annual maximum and no referral required for a specialist. It covers cleaning and exam twice a year with just a $5 co-pay each time. Bitewings are just $5 co-pay too. Silver single surface is a $20 co-pay. Many other procedures are covered.

Most dentists charge about $90 for a cleaning and exam in Florida. Do that twice a year - that's $180. With this insurance you only have two $5 co-pays plus the annual premium bringing your out of pocket to about $120.

My question is - how does the insurance company make money? The benefits seem far broader than the premiums.

Anyone on line have ASSURANT SECURE CHOICE and go to Dr. Brignol in Leesburg? Tell us your experience.

Skip

(PS Google: Assurant Dental Plan for their website)

[tucson]

Dr. Brignol in Leesburg has a dental credit card company there called Care Credit and you can use it at over 100,000 providers for dental,veterinary,cosmetic,vision,hearing and chiropractic services. My husband is having alot of dental work done and he can either pay nothing for a yr. or have sm. pymnts over 4yrs.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by tucson

Dr. Brignol in Leesburg has a dental credit card company there called Care Credit and you can use it at over 100,000 providers for dental,veterinary,cosmetic,vision,hearing and chiropractic services. My husband is having alot of dental work done and he can either pay nothing for a yr. or have sm. pymnts over 4yrs.

That's nice - a dentist with his own credit card !!!!

Does this dentist try to sell you un-needed (or questionable) work? How is the waiting time in this office. Does he check your teeth after the hygienist is done? What are his billing practices? Does he seem to know what he's doing?

Skip

[jjdees]

Care Credit is a company Dentists recommend as an alternative to C.O.D. My dentist in Atlanta offers Care Credit for high cost procedures (ex. Crown - $1180). I think they're part of GE Credit. They offer no interest payment plans if the debt is paid within 12 months and longer terms over 12 months. Beats cash or credit card.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by jjdees

Care Credit is a company Dentists recommend as an alternative to C.O.D. My dentist in Atlanta offers Care Credit for high cost procedures (ex. Crown - $1180). I think they're part of GE Credit. They offer no interest payment plans if the debt is paid within 12 months and longer terms over 12 months. Beats cash or credit card.

Thanks, you learn something every year or so.

Skip

[Mikitv]

The Insurance Plan you talked about Skip is the type where the Dentist receives a check each month per patient that has signed up with the Plan. You pay your premiums and the Dentist agrees to set fees so there are no claim forms. There are other companies out there offering the same type of plans. The idea is that the Dentist gets the same amount of money per month no matter how many procedures you have done. I worked for a group that participated with a company that paid us 50,000 per month for the patients that signed up with us. Getting patients to a maintenance level meant more money for the practice.