"THIS IS A BAIT AND SWITCH COMPANY. They offer plans that promise free cleanings and when you see the dentist, not one dentist on the list will do the free cleaning. All will say that a deep cleaning is needed just to get some business. They make promises that they cannot deliver and will not refund money. They automatically charge your credit card for each following year without your permission. The only way to get this stopped is to sign up on their site and change that option. I only picked one star because they would not give NO stars as an option. RUN FROM THIS COMPANY AND DON'T GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY."

"We have used the DentalPlans "Cigna" plan several times, and each time we were billed the Cigna negotiated rate, which was far below the "usual and customary" (UC) rate. Today, for example, I had a crown installed for $637, which is about what our employer-provided dental insurance used to pay, and a whopping $526 less than the UC charges. After retirement, we had no dental insurance, and we had to pay the full UC charges, because dentists must actually bill some clients at the UC rates to justify the reduced rates they negotiate with insurers. DentalPlans gives you a way around the UC rates at a very reasonable price.

Don't hesitate to sign up, just remember that it's a discount plan, not insurance."

"Really appreciate the inputs from chirodc2007 to help me understand how this type of plan works.
#1 Call before showing up and explain the plan to make sure they are aware and will provide the service for the same amount they get from dental insurance.
So the reason for my review is that you actually pay more by using dentalplans.com. At their site I selected a service, and started checking out, but when they tacked on a $15 "processing fee" I decided that I should try contacting the dental company (Cigna) directly, just to see what they would charge.
BTW - I went with them as my dentist uses and recommended this service.
I contacted Cigna Plus Savings, and got 1 year for $120 -- vs the $205 I would have been charged if I had used dentalplans.com. In fairness, it would have included 3 extra months...but that does not make up much of the difference.

If you use this non-insurance discount route, use dentalplans.com to see what plans are available -- they get 2 stars for providing that service, but DO NOT use them to purchase the discount service if possible."

"Don't waste your money! I bought a Dentalplans.com plan, but the dentist on their list wouldn't take a new patient. So I let it slide (never used it). Twelve months later, they deducted $174 from my checking account - and I never gave them permission to do that. I even checked the "do not automatically renew my dental plan" on their website under account information. I had to fight to receive $159 back, but they refused to refund the "$15 processing fee" for a plan I didn't use, didn't want, and didn't renew a year later."

"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 in my opinion 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. It’s 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 can’t 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 2011). 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 ripoffreport, complaintsboard and many others. Thankfully I have the time to spend.
"

"Do NOT use their service. You will NOT get the discounts they advertise, as it is up to the dentist how much they charge. If you hold the dentist to the contract price, the dentist will add on other *fees* to make up their loss, which is allowed under this plan.

AVOID THIS COMPANY!!!"

"Waste of money. It only saves a couple dollars and in some cases the price the dentist charges is lower than the Dentamax "discount rate." What a ripoff. "

"HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!! I wish I would have checked reviews before I signed up for this. First off I looked and was happy to see my dentist on their site so I ordered a $170 plan, the next day I called my dentist and they never even heard of them. They seemed concerned that their name was even on the site. I started to get a feeling something shady was going on so I called the 800# sent thru an e-mail only to sit on hold for half an hour, when I finally got thru to someone she got my info then started going..hello...hello then the call was cut. So I called again and again, same thing EVERY time. All times it was the same thing, asked for my info then hanged up on me. EVERY TIME!!!!! Once maybe a mistake but multiply times, I don't think so. I called my bank and stopped payment. I gave them many time to make things right and it's obvious to me they are a fraud."

"They falsley advertise everything and hide behind fine print that you dont see. Stay far far away from them!! Wont let you cancel! Im out $180 and now have to buy real dental insurance.. Learned my lesson"

"I have had the plan for about 2 days and I have already saved what I paid for the plan. Sure its not insurance. But it worked for what I needed. I even for my dentist to print out a paper on what I would be sting versus what I really paid. I am quite impressed with it. After reading reviews on this site I was a bit worried but all the dentist I contacted knew exactly what I ws talking about and were willing to show me what I was savin"

"I purchased a plan with DentalPlans.com and saved a TON of money on my dental bills. Not only did I find a plan for my entire family for $180, we each get 2 free cleaning a year. That alone is 6 cleanings for $180. And, my daughter cracked a tooth in December, and needed to get an x-ray, which was also covered! She will probably need braces next year, and my dentist told me I will save 20% too. This plan was worth every penny."

"Huge fraud! They try to say the rates online are an average but when you call, they can only find prices higher than what's online. How is that an average?!?!? And, they won't refund you when you call them out. Horrible service! Do not waste a penny. "

"I checked into this zip 33704.

Preferred Network Access by CIGNA

Procedure Savings Usual Disc Savings %

D1110 Adult Teeth Cleaning $102 $44 $58 57%

D0120 Routine 6 Month Check-Up $57 $20 $37 65%

Sounds good. $64 for both procedures and my dentist accepts it.

In reality...the dentists normal charge is.

D1110 Adult Teeth Cleaning $76

D0120 Routine 6 Month Check-Up $42

Dental plans - Cigna with my dentist.

D1110 $85.00
D0120 $46.00

Yes. The CIGNA plan payment is more than the dentists normal fee. So where is the discount ?

What a ripoff. So much for the DISCOUNT.
"

"I signed up for dental insurance with dentalplans.com and paid their fee for one year. During the process, there was no indication of renewal terms. Since then, I had moved to a new address. A few months back, they charged my credit card without warning or notification. I tried to dispute with my credit card, however, my credit card company said the only way a charge back can be made is through the merchant. Dental plans would not refund me the 119.95 they had charged because they claim I was given ample notice (email and mailing). I did not get the mailing due to the move and the emails were probably filtered out, since they send a lot of junk mail. Had I known that this was their policy on auto-renewing, I would have canceled their service immediately. Based on the other reviews here, people are either not getting what they expected or have to fight to see results. This is not how a company should be run."

"DO NOT PURCHASE FROM DentalPlans.com - IT IS A RIP-OFF!!!
I purchased discount for orthodontics & they claim to give 20% off braces. However, the provider list was scarce/sorry, so I could not find a provider in the first place that even heard of this. One office said they provide 25% discount if you don't have insurance, so basically, I would save more if I had NOT purchased this so-called discount plan, which claims to give 20% discount. I called customer service & they would not refund my full $, even though I called the same hour of purchasing this useless program. DO NOT BUY FROM DentalPlans.com"