Delta Dental is a prime example of an insurance company that is only out to make money.

[uppityperson]

I just got off the phone, arguing with a representative about what they say they will cover and what they actually do. I told him I wanted to cancel my coverage, but guess what? Since I pay for 3 months at a time, I can cancel but get no refund for the 2 months I have left in my time.

Oh yes, just because they say they will cover a filling at 50% of their allowed doesn't mean you owe the other 50%. Oh no. It means you owe the other 50% PLUS whatever the difference is the dentist charges. And yes, that is for a dentist who is a preferred provider. If he wasn't a preferred provider, then you would owe 50% PLUS whatever the difference is the dentist charges. "Read your policy book".

argh argh argh.

I am a health care provider, do my own insurance billing, and have strong opinions about which companies exist to provide a service, and which exist only to steal money with lies. Delta Dental is the latter.

So, why did I have them? I played the numbers with 1 abcessed tooth and crown and saved maybe $150 over cost of insurance, but ALSO saved $3.00 for 2 fillings! Woohoo!

Good Gods.

[graywarrior]

1. So is Care Credit

So not EVER get involved with them. You can file bankruptcy and they will sell the account over and over so you can NEVER get them removed from your report.

[grantcart]

2. I suggest you look at Dental Health Services

https://www.dentalhealthservices.com/

I sell a plan for federal employees that they are a provider for and they are a wonderful company to work with.

They provide plans for WA OR and CA.

I have no idea about what plan you can get in WA or if it fits your need but they are fantastic with my clients.


Our fees are set on a 3 year guaranteed cycle which ended this year. They decided to not raise any fees on long term clients on this plan even though the rates are very reasonable.


Almost everyone I work with, including my boss, are politically conservative. When we had a social meeting with the principles of this company I met the President. I was delighted to find that we were the only two Democrats in the room, and they are very progressive.

They also have great client service if you ever have a problem with the dentist or any questions.


Good Luck.


PS when ever they talk about 50% coverage you are open to abuse. What is 50% of X. It means that the Dentist can raise his normal rate and charge the maximum.

DHS will have a fixed co pay so you know exactly what fee you will be charged.

Most of our new clients are people disgruntled from Delta Dental. 95% renew their coverage every year.

[uppityperson]

3. Thank you, will look into them. Edited, nearest dentist is an hour away.

Will still research, thank you.

I live a couple hours from Seattle, nearest dentist is an hour away. Other than that, they look pretty good, if they pay what they seem to say they will.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Dental coverage is awful. I have Delta through my employer, at a cost of about $36 a month (both

my employer's and my contributions). Never used them for last 6 years until now. They have a yearly cap of $1500 per insured person. I need about $4500 in dental work prior to starting my radiation treatments.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. I decided it wasn't worth it

$36 a month (or $432 a year), which gives me two free dental exams ($90 each the last time I checked) and paid 50% of other expenses up to a limit of $1500.

I decided that dental insurance was a scam aimed at people who don't know math.

[Heddi]

6. I have had great experiences with Delta Dental

I have it now through my husband's job, but previously had it when I worked at 2 other jobs.

Maybe it was my dentist and her pricing scheme, but I think the *MOST* I ever paid was $100 TOTAL over the course of a year for some major restorative work secondary to losing 2 front teeth years before in a horrendous bicycle accident :shudder:

Because of this horrendous bicycle accident, I broke my 2 front teeth off nearly at the gum line, so rather than get the teeth pulled and get a bridge or whatever, the original dentist "painted" on fake teeth with this enamel like stuff. I don't know the term of what they are, but they last for a few years and then I have to get them replaced. Delta pays for that, and they have chipped like crazy in the past and have had them restored and never had to pay for them, and that's a pretty pricey thing.

When I paid the $100 I had the teeth replaced 2x's because of chipping, and I also had a few fillings placed as well as my regular cleanings.

If you need a new dentist, I have one in the City I can reccomend. I've been going to her since 2001 and I just LOVE HER TO PIECES. I know you live on the peninsula, but if you're willing to travel over here, she's right downtown in the free ride zone so if you took the ferry, it's a free bus ride up to her office and back. She's really great, she does all of her own cleanings, is in an office that consists of her and the lady that answers the phone and she is VERY thorough and does a great job. Again, I wonder if it's her pricing structure that prevents me from having to pay out of pocket for these things?