Question:
Hey everybody. You may remember me from Root Canal Part Duex. :)
anyway.
Is this a scam?
Answer:
I looked up the dentists in my area that participate in the 'plans'. They
are all listed at one address and they probably take any plan available so
they can get $6.00 dollars per patient/month that are registered at their
office. Then then pray you don't call for an appointment. So, lets say they
get 10,000 patients to register their office as their provider with the
insurance co. That means they get 60,000 /month even if no patients come!!
If patients do come, they have to work for little to nothing fees and you
can let your imagination run wild on the quality of work done. Also, many
times I find that the dentists at these 'plan' practices are just out of
school or educated in some other country. Many don't hang around because
they are on salary and realize soon that doing 'free' dentistry and the
corporation getting all the profits isn't the way to go.
I tend to think the discount plans are a "bad deal". You might find a
dental office willing to treat you well at such reduced fees, but don't
count on it.
I did a quick search for my zip code and the system tells me there are 3999
dentists within 8 miles of my office participating. Scrolling through the
list, I got half way through before I gave up. I came up with 6 different
office locations for half of those 3999 dentists. They list the same
dentist 4-8 times. They list a large clinic by each dentist who ever worked
there rather than once for the clinic. Plus, those dentists are listed
multiple times. At the half way mark, I would have the choice of three
large dental clinics (think cattle ranch), which are not known for a
reputation of doing quality work. And,,,,, another 3-4 private offices.
So, you may be able to get good care at one of the private offices, but no
guarantees. You are better off just hunting for a different job which
offers dental insurance. You might even end up earning more money, too.
I checked as well, and found a selection of offices that would be at or near the
bottom of any list of recommendations I would make. These offices are noted for
things other than good dental care.
You're a quick study!
I would make a distinction between capitation plans such as you described,
and PPO type plans where a dentist contracts to treat patients for a
predetermined fee. Many of these have fees that are realistic for both
patients and dentists, and I participate in several.
Yes, not all plans are HMO's. I speak from my own experience in one of these
'dental factories' though where any and all plans whether HMO, DMO, PPO,
whateverO were eagerly signed on. I don't know of any 'plan' that an
individual can get that would be worth it. I've researched it for my own
patients and the available 'plans' for individuals don't cover much and what
they do cover is after a waiting period and then its not covered at a very
high level..
