The following is my opinion and a copy of an online chat with dentalplans.com.
Here is a copy of my chat with these folks. They advertise really low prices you can get if you buy one of their "discount dental plans" but none of the dentists on their plans charge these rates. The actual charges you have to pay are much more.in this case about 40% more than what they advertise. Please read the chat below and decide for yourself. But y opinion is this is bait and switch and false advertising. How can you say the average fee will be $631 when all of the plan dentists charge much more? You do it to sell discount dental plans for $159 or more to as many suckers as you can. Its just too bad for them that they end up having to pay a lot more than your fantasy average fees. How can these people stay in business? I guess some people buy believing that they will actually get these average fees.
Welcome to an online chat session at DentalPlans.com. Please hold while we connect you to the next available Live Chat Specialist. Your chat may be monitored and recorded for quality purposes. Thank you for your patience.
You are now chatting with 'Billie'
Billie: Hello, my name is Billie, How can I help you save money on your dental needs today?
Hector: Hi, your online fee schedule lists a crown D2750 in my zip code at $631 but the actual charge by participating dentist in $883. Why?
Billie: Hi Hector... I apologize. May I ask which plan you were looking to join?
Hector: Preferred Network Access by CIGNA (Dental Only)
Billie: You are charged according to the participating provider's contracted fee schedule by Preferred Network Access by Cigna. Prices vary by zip code, region and dentist. It is best to consult with the participating provider for exact prices. If you have any ADA codes I can check the exact prices for you.
Hector: D2750 is the code but for my zip code your site lists the fee as $631
Billie: May I have the name of the dentist?
Hector: xxxx xxxxx
Billie: May I please have his zip code?
Hector: 787XX
Billie: One moment please while I look up that information for you. It may take me a few minutes. Thank you for your patience.
Billie: D2750 $883.00
Billie: Yes... That correct is the correct fee according to their fee schedule.
Hector: yes I know that but why does your site list the fee as $631?
Hector: so I buy the plan expecting a fee of $631 and then have to pay $883?
Billie: The sample table is a small selection of common procedures discounted by Preferred Network Access. Members will be charged the provider's Preferred Network Access contracted fees. Charges may vary from the sample fee schedule.
Hector: so what dentist in my area charges $631 for D2750?
Billie: This plan is based geographically by ZIP code in terms of provider participation and location. Fee schedules and savings may vary by ZIP code and by Provider within a ZIP code.
Hector: yes, so I used my zip code and it says $631
Hector: not $883
Billie: I understand... But these examples are sample savings based on the average.
Hector: So again, what dentists in my area charge $631 for D2750?
Hector: and if that is an average some dentists must be charging even less since most appear to be charging a lot more
Billie: It can differ from dentist to dentist... My best advice would be to consult the participating dentists in the area.
Billie: One moment please while I look up that information for you. It may take me a few minutes. Thank you for your patience.
Billie: Here is a list of the providers in the area that accept the Preferred Network Access by Cigna... Please Click Here
Http://www.dentalplans.com/dentalsearch/dentistsearch? ZipCode=78739&dentistLastName=&specialityId=&networkId=53
Hector: so which ones charge the "average"?
Billie: Unfortunately I wouldnt know... You would have to consult them directly.
Hector: so I have to call over 100 dentists and ask each one?
Hector: So if I do that, and I may, I will make a list of what every one charges for D2750 under Cigna. And you are telling me that the "average" is going to be $631, right?
Billie: Because the plan is based geographically by ZIP code in terms of provider participation and location. Fee schedules and savings may vary by ZIP code and by Provider within a ZIP code.
Billie: Again that is an average savings... It really depends on the fee schedule in the dentists office.
Hector: Average means that if you take the fee all the dentist in the area charge then divide by the number of dentist you get the average right?
Hector: it also means for the average to be $631 and some are charging more then some must be charging less
Billie: Are you viewing the highlights of the plan?
Hector: no I am viewing the fees by zip code
Hector: under compare plans
Billie: Please Click Here http://www.dentalplans.com/dentalplans/preferrednetworkaccessbycigna? Zipcode=78746
Hector: Procedure Description Usual Fee 1 Discounted Fee (for Plan Members) 2 Member Savings Savings Percentag Single Crown - Porcelain on High Noble Metal $1,227 $631 $596 49%
Hector: yes and?
Hector: it says $631
Hector: So what I am seeing is you advertise an average fee of $631 but cant say if any dentists in the area really charge that fee and it appears that most (maybe all) really charge much more
Billie: Please Scroll Down... It should at the very botton explaining about the sample fee schedule.
Hector: I see the "Charges may vary from the sample fee schedule above."
Billie: The sample table above is a small selection of common procedures discounted by Preferred Network Access. The procedures discounted under Preferred Network Access offer similar savings to the sample above.
Billie: 1 Source: DentalPlans.com (DP. C) 2010 Survey of Sample Average National Dental Fees (updated March). Fees may vary slightly by region.
Billie: 2Discounted fees are listed for visits to a participating general dentist. Any procedure not listed on the complete fee schedule will be discounted 20% off the provider's normal fee. Members will be charged the provider's Preferred Network Access contracted fees. Charges may vary from the sample fee schedule above. Consult with your provider prior to beginning any treatment.
Billie: This plan is based geographically by ZIP code in terms of provider participation and location. Fee schedules and savings may vary by ZIP code and by Provider within a ZIP code.
Billie:
Hector: but for you to advertise this Sample fee schedule doesn't there have to be some dentists actually charging those sample fees?
Hector: Let me summarize: You list a fee of $631 that no dentist charges as the Sample Discounted Fee so people will be incented to buy the discount plan. Then they find out that no one charges that and they have to pay more, much more, 40% more. This is a total scam and I will make it my job to make sure this is well known. I am off now to the various websites where I can make sure as many people as possible know about how you do business. I wonder if this is a good class action case? I will have to check with the attorney down the hall next time I see him.
Billie: I apologize... And do I do understand your frustration... But unfortunately I am not able to assist you. My best advice would be to consult some other dentists in the area... Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Hector: Well, I have captured our complete chat and will be using that as clear evidence that your company if not honest and advertising prices that no dentists charge as your fantasy "average" so you induce people to buy your discount plans. Then the poor suckers have to pay much more than what you advertise as "average" prices. This is really shameful and I believe may even be against the law. We'll see but no I am off to usacomplaints.com, complaintsboard and many others. Thankfully I have the time to spend.
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