Louisiana Dental Plans

By Susan Braden

With stagnant incomes and treatment costs on the rise, it is vital to find dental coverage you can rely on. You may be surprised to learn just how many individual dental plans are available to Louisiana residents. Read on for information about available plans and for sample savings in your state.

Medicaid

Not technically considered insurance, Medicaid is a partnership program between the federal and state governments. It is geared toward serving adults, children, and people with disabilities who have severely limited incomes.

• Medicaid provides comprehensive emergency, diagnostic, preventative and dental screening services for eligible children under 21.

• Although some states are much more limited in what Medicaid services they furnish to adults, Louisiana offers preventative and restorative care, as well as assistance in obtaining dentures.

• Because statutes may change and your particular case may be different, always be sure to check with your dentist to make sure a particular treatment or procedure is covered by Medicaid. This is especially important because an increasing number of medical practitioners no longer accept Medicaid patients.

Medicare

Many senior citizens and people with disabilities are eligible for Medicare benefits. This is a federal program that primarily helps with the substantial costs of hospitalization, long term care, and durable medical equipment.

When it comes to routine dental care, Medicare is prohibited by law from offering any assistance. The only procedures Medicare will cover must be in conjunction with additional medical problems.

• For instance, Medicare will cover extraction of teeth, but only if the patient needs this before a kidney transplant.

• Medicare cannot be relied on to help with cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures, or most other types of dental work.

Louisiana Dental Plan

Annual Membership (may be cheaper the first year) = $114.95

Average Savings = 40% off

Example Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $16
• Cleaning = $32
• Full X-rays = $48
• Porcelain Crown = $540

Vital Savings by Aetna

Annual Membership = $134.95

Savings = 15-50% off

Example Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $18
• Cleaning = $38
• Full X-rays = $50
• Porcelain Crown = $488

OptumHealth Allies Dental Program

Annual Membership = $159.95

 Example Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $18
• Cleaning = $39
• Panoramic X-rays = $47
• Porcelain Crown = $451

DentaMax Discount Dental Plan

Annual Membership = $104.95

Example Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $25
• Full X-rays = $72
• Cleaning = $49
• Porcelain Crown = $641

Dental Access Plan by Aetna

Available at 1Dental (Dental Access Plan)

Monthly Membership = $14.95

Example Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $35
• Full X-rays = $87
• Cleaning = $67
• Porcelain Crown = $825

Careington 500 Series

Available at 1Dental (Careington 500)

Monthly Membership = $14.95

Savings = 20-60% off or more

Example Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $16
• Full X-rays = $47
• Cleaning = $34
• Porcelain Crown = $557

Conclusion

In these difficult times, Louisiana residents need all of the help they can get when it comes to medical costs. The same fact applies to dental expenses. As you can see, there are numerous Careington 500 Series Plan, available at 1Dental.com, clearly offers the most substantial savings for the lowest membership fee.