AmeriPlan Valentine's Special - Half Price Dental & Medical Memberships

With Valentines Day just around the corner, AmeriPlan, the discount dental and medical benefits company has a sweetheart deal for you this month. All dental and health plans are ½ price for the first year of membership. In addition, AmeriPlan has made it even easier to join by reducing the one-time only registration fee to ½ price.

If you are one of the many Americans with inadequate or no dental or medical insurance, a discount dental or medical plan can help you save money on needed doctor and dental visits, prescription medications, lab tests, vision care, chiropractic, and ancillary services such as hearing aids, diabetic supplies, and more. Our medical plans have a hospital advocacy program which can help to substantially reduce those exorbitant hospital charges.

AmeriPlan has been in business for 17 years and is a member in good standing of the Consumer Health Alliance, the National Association of Dental Plans, and the BBB.

To help out uninsured and underinsured Americans during these tough financial times, AmeriPlan is offering a special half price sale. Just sign up for one of our discount dental or medical plans on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time February26, 2010, and pay half price for your benefit package for one full year plus ½ price on your one-time only enrollment fee.

Here are our prices:

Basic Wellness was $14.95 a month NOW ONLY $7.48 a month

Single Dental Plus was $14.95 a month NOW ONLY $7.48 a month

Household Dental Plus was $19.95 a month NOW ONLY $9.98 a month

Total Health was $39.95 a month NOW ONLY $19.98 a month

Learn more about our different health care options at www.healthplansplus.net. Also, check out our new SecureNet program and enjoy discounts on legal services, roadside assistance, financial services including credit repair and debt relief, ID theft protection, and a National Child ID. To join AmeriPlan and start receiving these valuable benefits for your family visit: www.mybenefitsplus.com/hlz or call 888-357-1768.

AmeriPlan Half Price Discount Dental & Medical Benefit Plans

It comes as no surprise that the American healthcare system is broken. We have 47 million Americans with no health insurance, many more are underinsured, and 7 out of 10 Americans lack dental insurance.

If you are one of the many Americans with inadequate or no dental or medical insurance, a discount dental or medical plan can help you save money on needed doctor and dental visits, prescription medications, lab tests, vision care, chiropractic, and ancillary services such as hearing aids, diabetic supplies, and more. Our medical plans have a hospital advocacy program which can help to substantially reduce those high hospital charges.

To help out uninsured and underinsured Americans during these tough financial times, AmeriPlan is offering a special half price sale. Just sign up for one of our discount dental or medical plans on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time September 14, and pay half price for your benefit package for one full year.

Here are our prices:

Basic Wellness was $14.95 a month NOW ONLY $7.48 a month

Single Dental Plus was $14.95 a month NOW ONLY $7.48 a month

Household Dental Plus was $19.95 a month NOW ONLY $9.98 a month

Total Health was $39.95 a month NOW ONLY $19.98 a month

Total Health Plus was $59.95 a month NOW ONLY $29.98 a month

Learn more about our different health care options at

www.healthplansplus.net. To join AmeriPlan and start receiving these valuable benefits for your family visit: www.mybenefitsplus.com/hlz or call 888-357-1768.

Back-to-School Dental & Vision Checkups

After the slow, lazy days of Summer vacation, it is back to school time. For me back to school was always a favorite time of the year for me. I loved the smell of brand new books, the excitement of new classes before the work got too hard or I was pressured by exams and paper deadlines, and here in the U.S. Northeast--a touch of Fall in the air. Along with the start of the school year will be those appointments for health, dental, and vision exams for your children. This may also be a good time to check out your family’s health and dental plans.

Along with making sure that your children have all of their school supplies, schedule those physical, dental, and vision exams before the actual start of school. Dental Checkups are increasingly becoming mandatory in many states and should become an important part of back-to-school preparations. Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases in children and can interfere with learning and lead to more serious complications. A child who is in pain from tooth decay will have trouble focusing in school. Especially with young children, find a good pediatric dentist or a general dentist who is known for his ability to work with children. This will help encourage life long good dental habits.

In addition to treating tooth decay, the back-to-school dental visit can focus on dental hygiene and prevention. The parents and school must also play a role in good dental health by making sure that healthy and nutritious drinks and snacks are available both at home and at school. According to Dr. Cindy Harms, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association, "When teeth come in frequent contact with sweetened soft drinks and other sugar-containing substances, the risk of tooth decay…is increased as is the potential for erosion of tooth enamel.”

Equally important is the vision exam. A child needs to be able to see the words clearly on the blackboard or on the printed page in order to learn effectively. According to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), “This year alone, 10 million children will return to school with a vision problem that could interfere with their learning ability, contribute to disciplinary problems and put them at risk for permanent vision loss.” These problems can easily be corrected with good vision care. If your child shows any delays in language development, a hearing test with an audiologist is also in order.

Back-to-school season may also be a good time to check out your family health and dental plans. Hopefully your child will not need anything beyond a dental exam and cleaning. However, if tooth decay is found or orthodontic treatment is necessary, you will want a good dental plan to reduce your costs. A good dental plan will offer substantial discounts on all dental services with no limits on age, visits, or treatment costs. Coverage should be provided for orthodontia and cosmetic dentistry. After all, an attractive smile is very important to your child’s confidence and orthodontic treatment can prevent more serious conditions caused by misalignment of the teeth. All ongoing conditions should be covered by the plan.

Many dental plans also offer discounts on vision care with significant discounts on eye exams and eyewear. If your child must wear eyeglasses, being able to purchase attractive eyewear will make her feel very special.

Check out the AmeriPlan Dental Plus program for an affordable dental plan with significant savings on all dental procedures plus substantial discounts on ophthalmology eye exams, contact lenses, frames, lenses, LASIK eye surgery, and even non-prescription sunglasses. The plan also includes a prescription drug card as well as discounts on chiropractic treatment. Feel confident with a 16 year old company that is a member in good standing of the Consumer Health Alliance, the National Association of Dental Plans, and the National Association of Health Underwriters.

Silver Amalgam Dental Fillings - Are They a Risk to your Health?

When I was a child receiving a “silver” filling in the dental office, I believed that the dentist was putting pure silver in the cavity in my tooth. Who would have thought that instead, I was receiving an amalgam filling composed of 50% liquid mercury and the remaining 50% a powder containing silver, tin, copper, zinc and other metals. This amalgam material has been used by dentists for well over 100 years.

In recent years, the mercury used in amalgam fillings, as well as other products, has come under much controversy. We all know, by now, that there has been much discussion of the possibility of the mercury in thimerosol, which has been used as a vaccine preservative, as a possible cause of childhood autism. There has also been a discussion that the mercury vapor released by amalgam dental fillings could also be a health danger. According to the FDA website: “Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses. When amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor.”

Mercury is one of the most dangerous, non-radioactive, metals known to man. It can cause neurological damage and well as damage to the kidneys. Especially vulnerable are children under 6, pregnant and lactating women, and people who are especially sensitive to mercury. Some people believe that the mercury in amalgam fillings may be a factor in such conditions as Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and possibly even Alzheimer’s Disease. In fact, some people report an improvement in their health after they have had their amalgam fillings removed and replaced by composite fillings.

Although the American Dental Association (ADA) acknowledges the controversy over amalgam fillings, they are of the belief that these fillings remain safe. According to the ADA website: amalgam fillings have been “used by dentists for more than a century, dental amalgam is the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use. It is durable, easy to use, highly resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive in comparison to other materials. For those reasons, it remains a valued treatment option for dentists and their patients.”

Besides the mercury in the amalgam material, some disadvantages of an amalgam filling include the need for more of the tooth to be removed before placing a filling, unnatural look of amalgam, and sensitivity of the filled tooth to hot and cold. In addition, a “silver” filling does not bond to the tooth and over time might cause breakage of the tooth and a more costly repair down the line.

Composite fillings are a combination of quartz or glass material in a resin base. Composite materials do not contain mercury. Usually much less tooth structure needs to be removed for a successful composite filling. A major advantage is that it is tooth colored and can be used for restorations in front teeth. Some dentists are concerned that it is not quite as durable as an amalgam filling for back teeth that would receive a lot of chewing trauma.

A major factor in the continued use of amalgam fillings is that they cost much less than composite fillings. (It's always about cost, isn't it.) Most insurance companies will only pay up to the cost of an amalgam filling.

According to CBS News, Norway and Sweden have already issued restrictions on amalgam fillings, and it looks like the U.S. FDA now recognizes some of the health risks associated with these fillings. CBS news states: “As part of a legal settlement, the federal agency has agreed to release a new ruling on the safety of dental amalgams in July 2009, and alert consumers about potential related hazards.” This is good news for U.S. citizens. The FDA will be studying the safety and efficacy of amalgam fillings and may be making recommendations as to labeling controls.

If you are worried about the mercury in amalgam fillings but are also concerned about the high cost of composite fillings, the AmeriPlan Dental Plus program offers a significant discount on all dental treatment including composite fillings.

Dental Plans vs.Dental Insurance

America is in the midst of a healthcare crisis. Close to 48 million Americans do not have any health insurance and many are underinsured. Even more Americans lack good dental care. Statistics show that as many as 7 out of 10 Americans do not have an affordable dental plan. This is a serious situation because dental and gum disease can effect your general health. There is evidence that the bacteria from diseased gums and teeth may cause inflammation in the body which can eventually lead to heart and coronary artery disease. Preventive dental care can avoid these serious complications. In addition, a pleasant and healthy smile can help you feel confident and secure when you meet people, and can even help you perform better at a job interview.

While most families realize the importance of good dental care, the cost of dental treatment has become prohibitively expensive in the past few years as has the cost of dental insurance. If you work for a large company, you may have a traditional dental insurance policy. This will help with some expenses; however, most dental insurance plans have annual limits on how much an individual can spend on dental treatment. Typical annual dental plan yearly maximums are as low as $1,000 per patient. Treatment to save just one tooth with a root canal and a porcelain crown to protect the devitalized tooth will easily top this limit. What if a family member needs more extensive work than this?

Another problem that patient’s have with dental insurance is that there will usually be a waiting period of up to one year for pre-existing dental conditions to be covered. If you have a serious dental problem, waiting a year will only lead to a worsening of the condition meaning more costly work in the future. Most dental insurance policies also have a missing tooth clause which means that if a bridge or partial denture is needed for a tooth that was missing prior to treatment; the patient is not covered and must pay out of pocket.

Most traditional dental insurance plans offer very limited or coverage for orthodontic treatment (braces) even though good tooth alignment can prevent more serious dental problems later on. In addition, cosmetic dentistry and dental implants are rarely covered.

Another problem with dental insurance is the long claim forms that must be submitted. This is a hassle for both the patient and dental office alike.
Clearly for many families, a dental discount plan offers an affordable alternative to costly dental insurance. These plans are readily available to individuals, the self employed, as well as businesses. For patients with ongoing conditions or who need extensive restorative work, a dental discount program is clearly the better choice as the savings will be better with the dental plan.

Savings with a good dental plan typically range from 25% for specialist treatment (periodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, etc.) to 80% for exams. Most major dental procedures such as fillings, root canals, crowns and bridges, dentures, and orthodontic treatment offer savings from 50% to 60% and even more when done by a general dentist--literally cutting a family's dental bill by more than half. In addition, patients will enjoy instant savings, no limits on visits or services, no age limits, no waiting period, and no paperwork. As an added benefit, many discount dental plans also offer value added services such as a prescription card, and savings on chiropractic and vision care.

Visit: www.healthplansplus.net/dentalplus.html for more information on dental plans.

Discount Dental and Health Plans - A Free Gift for You

Dear Health Plans Plus Readers

As a reader of this blog, you know that I have commented many times on the health crisis in the United States. There are well over 47 million Americans without any health insurance, and 8 out of 10 Americans do not have a dental plan.

There are many reasons for this situation. These include:

• The cost of dental and medical insurance has skyrocketed in recent years to the point where the average American can no longer afford it.



• The cost of healthcare has risen steeply. An extended hospital stay without insurance can put you in debt for well over $100,000. Prescriptions for newer drugs can cost patients hundreds of dollars forcing many people to cut their pills in half or make that choice between buying groceries or being able to afford their medications.



• More and more companies are either eliminating their health benefit programs or asking their employees to contribute a much larger and sometimes unaffordable share of the cost of these important benefits.



• If you work for yourself or your company does not have health insurance, a plan of your own will be very costly and probably unaffordable.



• If you have a pre-existing condition, you will probably not qualify for health insurance even if you can afford it because the insurance companies are only out to make a profit and not to help people afford healthcare.

As a reader of this blog, you know that I have recommended discount health plans as one solution that individuals and families can take to provide their loved ones with valuable health benefits. I have been an Independent Business Owner for AmeriPlan for 2 years, and based on my experience, I feel confident in recommending the AmeriPlan Discount Programs.

AmeriPlan has been in business for 16 years and is a member in good standing of the Consumer Health Alliance, the National Association of Dental Plans, National Association of Health Underwriters, the Direct Selling Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Companies like CVS, Walgreens, LensCrafters, J C Penney, Sears, and Rite-Aid, provide our optical and prescription benefits. We also have extensive networks of doctors, dentists, chiropractors, as well as other health providers. The qualifications of these providers are checked out thoroughly by AmeriPlan and are likely to be familiar names in the community. Our entire dental network was built on patient referrals.


A Free Gift for You for Trying Our Benefits

How would you like to try out our benefit plans and receive a free gift for signing up to any one of our benefit programs? You have a choice of 2 free gifts. Here are the details:

A FLY AWAY VACATION FOR 2!

You and a guest will enjoy 3 days and 2 nights hotel accommodations PLUS 2 round trip airline tickets to your choice of one of these destinations:

* Las Vegas, Orlando, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Reno, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun

OR

Shop and Get Cash Back at your favorite store!

A FREE Membership to a Comprehensive Online Shopping Mall with more than 700 retail merchants.

* You can choose from your favorites like Petco, Office Max, Macy's, Nordstrom, Target, Walmart, Lowes, Best Buy, Circuit City, Staples and hundreds more. Shop till your heart's content, find the product that you want at the best price available and when you decide to make the purchase you will get the best online pricing AND you will earn a cash back rebate check. These cash back rebates will be sent to you when you have accumulated $25.00, or more in rebates.

Discount health plans can provide individuals and families with a low cost and effective alternative to expensive medical and dental insurance coverage. At AmeriPlan, we have 4 great affordable plans to choose from. Prices range from $19.95 to $59.95 per month and cover an entire household. These plans include:

1. Dental Plus – Save up to 80% on all dental services. Includes discounts on prescriptions, vision care, and chiropractic treatment. Savings are available on cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, orthodontia, and lasik eye surgery. This plan can literally cut your dental bill in half.


2. Basic Health – Discounts on doctor visits, lab tests, hospital advocacy, hearing aids, diabetic supplies, a 24 hour Nurseline, and much more.


3. Total Health – Includes everything in both the Dental Plus and Basic Health programs including hospital advocacy.


4. Total Health Plus – This is our complete package. It includes everything in both the Dental Plus and Basic Health programs plus the AmeriPlan Auto Club, the AmeriPlan Identity Theft Assistance program, and AmeriPlan Legal Services.

Should you become hospitalized, AmeriPlan’s hospital advocacy plan will send a professional advocate who will negotiate your bill with the hospital and work out a payment plan for the balance based on your ability to pay. This allows the patient to avoid bankruptcy proceedings which is the last thing that you need when recovering from a serious illness. We have testimonials on dramatic reductions in hospital bills. In addition, we have a prescription advocacy program which allows income eligible patients, who cannot afford their medications, to receive their prescriptions for free.

For more information on our discount benefits call 1-888-357-1768 or visit:

www.healthplansplus.net.

Finding an Affordable Dental Plan - Questions to Ask

As a Regional Sales Director for Ameriplan, a discount dental and medical provider access organization, I speak to many people each day who are among the 7 in 10 Americans without an affordable dental plan. Even when an employer provides medical insurance, it is rare to have a dental plan. Dental insurance is often the forgotten coverage.

For self employed people, the price of dental insurance can be quite formidable. If the self employed entrepreneur has an ongoing or pre-existing condition, he or she will not be able to purchase this insurance. Even among those families that are fortunate enough to have dental insurance, often this coverage is not complete. There can be restrictions for ongoing conditions, long waiting periods, massive paperwork, age limits, and annual limits on how much the patient can spend. Often orthodontia is not fully covered and cosmetic dentistry and dental implants are almost never included. That is where an affordable dental plan like AmeriPlan Dental can help.

Questions to ask when purchasing a dental plan

American consumers have a number of good dental plan companies to choose from. However, not all dental plan companies are the same. Here are some good questions to ask when purchasing an affordable family dental plan:

1) How many years has the company been in business? The number of years that a company has been doing business will affect the size of the provider networks as well as give you confidence in the service.

2) Is the company a member of the NADP (National Association of Dental Plans)?

3) What other consumer protection organizations does the plan belong to?

4) Is there an 800 customer service number to call for information?

5) Is there a wide choice of dental providers in my area?

6) Are dental maintenance organizations used or does the company have its own proprietary network of dentists?

7) What procedures are covered by the dental plan and what are the savings? Is there an available fee schedule that can be printed out?

8) Are there any value added services available such as a prescription card or discounts on vision care and chiropractic?

Why AmeriPlan Dental?

If you are one of the 7 out of 10 Americans who do not have a dental plan and have put off having needed dental work because you cannot find an affordable dental plan, look no further than AmeriPlan Dental. AmeriPlan has been in business for 16 years and has over 30,000 dental providers in 44 different states. Visit my website at:

www.healthplansplus.net to locate a provider. If you do not see your own dentist on our list, remember that we are continually expanding our networks, and when you become a member of our benefit plans, you are encouraged to ask AmeriPlan to invite your provider to join. AmeriPlan maintains its own proprietary network of dentists which was built up over 16 years by members referring their own providers.

Ameriplan is a proud member of the National Association of Dental Plans, the Consumer Health Alliance, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Direct Selling Association, and Dun & Bradstreet. Some of our company providers include CVS, Walgreens, J C Penney, Sears, Lenscrafters, and many others.

At the AmeriPlan corporate offices, over 250 people are employed just for customer service. So if you need information on a provider or have any questions or concerns, you will always find a friendly customer service representative by calling our customer service 800 number. A full schedule of dental procedures and fees is available upon request and will also be included in your membership packet.

An important feature of the AmeriPlan Dental Plus program are the value added services. Not only will you save up to 80% on all dental services, but you can also save money on both generic and brand name medications with our convenient prescription card, save money at the chiropractor, and save money on contact lenses, eye exams, eyewear, and even lasik eye surgery with AmeriPlan Dental.