Information on AmeriPlan

Founded in 1992 by Dennis and Daniel Bloom, AmeriPlan initially provided discounted dental care for American individuals and families. As of June 2010, the company has partnered with more than 30,000 dental providers, 60,000 medical providers, 12,000 optical care providers and 56,000 retail pharmacies to bring an expanded service offering to its members.

Function

• AmeriPlan provides its members with discounts on dental care, vision care, chiropractic care, medical care, prescription medications and hearing care and aide products. AmeriPlan members pay a monthly fee for the discount healthcare plans they want to participate in and receive services from AmeriPlan providers. Members receive a discount off the provider’s customary fee, and members must pay for the total amount due less the discount at the time the healthcare service is rendered.

Programs and Cost

• As of June 2010, individual members paid a monthly membership fee of $14.95 for the dental plus plan, and households paid $19.95 per month. The dental plus plan includes discounted dental care, discounted vision care and aides, discounted chiropractic services and discounted prescription medication. As of June 2010, households paid $39.95 for the total health discounted medical program.

Benefits

• AmeriPlan processes membership applications within 14 business days of receipt, and once you receive your membership cards, you can begin using the program. The AmeriPlan membership program does not impose any waiting periods, exclusions on pre-existing conditions or limits on the number of times you can visit a service provider over the course of a calendar year. Household memberships cover all permanent residents of a household, including dependents.

Estimated Discounts

• According to AmeriPlan’s official website, members can expect to save up to 80 percent on preventative dental services such as exams and teeth cleanings. Members may save 30 to 50 percent on chiropractic treatment and up to 50 percent on medical services, according to AmeriPlan. Members who utilize the discounted prescription plan can save 10 to 85 percent on medication, and members who use the discounted vision plan can expect to save up to 55 percent on eye exams and up to 60 percent on prescription glasses, according to the official AmeriPlan website.

Considerations

• AmeriPlan does not function as supplemental or primary health insurance, and AmeriPlan providers expect to be paid immediately for any fees incurred during the course of an appointment. AmeriPlan does not provide discounts for orthodontic correction treatment that has already begun. AmeriPlan members can choose to pay their membership fees on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Members choosing to pay fees on a monthly or quarterly basis can choose to have their AmeriPlan membership fees either automatically charged to a credit card or withdrawn from a bank account.