It seems today that the cost of nearly everything is rising. When this happens, everyone starts looking for less expensive alternatives. Gas goes up so everyone starts trying to find an alternative fuel. Energy prices go up so people try to find an alternative source. The same thing applies with health care. The costs of health care continue to rise, but most companies aren't making as much money so they reduce or drop the health coverage for their employees. When trying to find an alternative I have found consumer driven health care. Many people, I'm sure, have come across this as well, but most have no idea what it really is. They see that it's not insurance, but a discount and many assume it wouldn't save them enough money. So what is the difference between insurance and consumer driven health care/ discount dental and health benefits?
With insurance you usually have a monthly premium, which can sometimes be very high. The older you are or the more medical conditions you have, the higher your premium will be. Some people can't find an insurance company to cover them at all because they're told they have too many medical problems. There are also co-pays for doctor visits, prescriptions, etc., and a certain amount you have to pay each year. When you've reached that limit they cover the rest. Some insurance companies have a set amount they will cover. After that you have to pay everything else. Also, with insurance, the treatment or prescription you need isn't always approved. Then your doctor has to find an alternative. Most insurance companies will not cover cosmetic services either, like teeth whitening or adult braces. I've also found a lot of insurance coverage doesn't include dental insurance at all. And if it does, it tends to be very costly. To sum it up, insurance usually appears to save you lots of money when you look at your doctor or hospital bills. But when you add in those high monthly premiums, co-pays, and procedures they don't cover it really adds up.
With discount dental and health benefits, you have a monthly fee that is usually very affordable, ranging from $14.95 to $59.95 a month and you get a discount on all procedures ranging from 20% to 80%. Most discount dental and health benefit providers cover cosmetic procedures as well. There are no claim forms to fill out and no contracts to sign. There is also no chance of ever being denied because of your age or medical conditions. Everyone is accepted. This option leaves the treatment up to the doctor and patient because you will never be told "we don't cover that medicine or procedure." Also, with the discount dental benefits, you can usually use it with your current insurance.
To sum things up if you have no current health conditions, and are younger to middle aged then I would say the high cost premium insurance plans might be for you. But on the other hand if you are older, already have health conditions (pre-existing conditions), or maybe you are younger and healthier, and want to save money or want a procedure done that your insurance company wont cover, then the Consumer Driven Health Care Plans are probably your better option.
Scott Hughes
Here is a link to my blog:
Health Care Blog.
