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Direct Reimbursement for dental care is what your employer should do to save your job and their company from rising health care costs. Plus you can have great dental health too!

Direct Reimbursement is simple. You use it - you stay healthy and feel better. On the other hand your employer pays nothing when you do not use it. Additionally, if your fellow employee does not use it (like they would have with dental insurance as well), your employer is not stuck with their premium payments.

This means healthier employees and no driving down of wages because of those who do not take advantage of it.

What are the other reasons direct reimbursement is better for covering dental care?

First, with direct reimbursement, you have the choice of any dentist or dental specialist.

This includes general dentistry, emergency dentistry, cosmetic dentists, restorative dental care dentists, reconstructive dentists, and implants dentists. Plus specialists like periodontists, endodontists, maxillofacial oral surgeons, prosthodontists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, etc.

Second, no dental care services or dental specialist procedures are excluded.

Third, no stupid dental insurance manuals to burn in effigy!

Fourth, your dentist and you decide what to do - no stupid dental insurance company saying "they" think it is not necessary because it is advanced and they have not had time to research it.

Fifth, no waiting for an appointment because your dental insurance provider cannot find a dentist to lower their rates to below market levels.

Sixth, no pre-existing dental conditions stop you from improving your dental health.

Seventh, no goofy dental insurance claim forms and invoices that confuse everyone and create more costs for your dentist to pay for an employee just to fight the stupid dental insurance bureaucracy.

Eighth, no dental UCR (usual, customary and reasonable) limitations, which means when you choose a dentist your dental insurance might cover less than what you would get from another dentist. It does help the dental insurance company save money, but you can be surprised about how little is covered in specific instances. But I doubt you or you company save anything and your dental health might be suffering.

FINALLY, saying, "Take this dental insurance lunacy and shove it" feels very good!

Why EMPLOYERS like direct reimbursement rather than dental insurance?

First, there are no dental insurance premiums! The employer pledges a certain amount to each employee. For example, up to a certain amount is covered 100% for one year (say $200), then 80% of another amount for one year (say $800) and then 50% of another amount the same year (say $1000) for total reimbursement of $2000.

Second, with the employee having more say over the money, they are more likely to choose to go to the dentist in the first place because of the freedom they have and those employees become healthier as a result. Big smiles mean more employees show up for work on time, are able to come to work at all and are more productive.

Third, if an employee does not go to the dentist, the employer is not out any money. This means the employer is able to use those funds in other areas and is more likely to offer this service in the first place.

Fourth, it costs much less to manage direct reimbursement than dental insurance. Depending on the employer and their needs, direct reimbursement overhead for management is 4 to 8 percent. HMOs can be 30 to 40 percent. Who is getting healthy with that kind of overhead stupidity!

FINALLY, employers can say goodbye to the headache that is dental insurance and give employees what they deserve: dental health and coverage sanity.

Check out the sources below then ask your employer how you can get in on this kind of dental care coverage. Business owners and employers should start saving money and giving their employees better dental health today.

American Dental Association - its two teeth worth on Direct Reimbursement

Money Instructor leaves out Direct Reimbursement for Dental Care -- maybe giving us real choice would be more ethical.

Georgia Dental Association - examples of Direct Reimbursement Plans - bottom of page.

Direct Reimbursement Administrative Services (DRAS) - FAQ Page -- dental care

DRAS Direct Reimbursement Testimonials

DRAS Companies that use it as their dental care coverage

Direct Reimbursement Benefits Plans - dentistry and vision -- another company that administers DR for other businesses

PHC-SSP seems to be in bed with the Dental Insurance Industry

This Blog puts down dentistry - then the blogger puts down stupid money on discount cards that discount the dentist, the work done plus probably still gives 30-40% of the fee to the stupid dental insurance company

This dental lab uses Direct Reimbursement for their employees.

Dental Literacy to Advance Health Wealth and Productivity - Work Loss due to dental health issues... OraMedica source

OR You could give Delta Dental their percentage like the Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Or have fun filling out this MetLife dental insurance form - note: pdf download.

Dentists could buy this book or you could buy it for your dentist. Medical Insurance Manual for Dentists: Maximizing Reimbursements

Dentist.net has their own indemnity plan but also speak to dental care direct reimbursement.

Another source for Dental UCR and Direct Reimbursement Family Gentle Dental Care

Dental Blogger is the web blog for dentists and consumers that takes a humor-serious look at dental health.