Medicare Open Enrollment Provides Opportunity to "Shop Around"

Online, October 28, 2013 (Newswire.com) - In the midst of open enrollment, Medicare recipients have the opportunity to consider all options, including supplemental plans. Dental & Vision Extras is a supplemental discount program that can help cover items not included under Medicare Parts A & B such as dental and vision services, hearing devices and prescriptions.

"Dental & Vision Extras' national networks of providers means members can use the program where they live as well as wherever they travel throughout the year," said Anthony A. Cook, President and CEO of The Dental Care Plus Group. "Also, the definition of family is more generous with Extras than with traditional insurance plans. So, if a senior is living with a friend or relative not considered immediate family or if they are raising a grandchild, these persons could be included in a family membership."

Depending on the Medicare supplement and the cost of the supplement, some recipients may find it advantageous to join a program such as Extras or couple such a program with a Medicare supplement. Some points to consider when shopping around:

• There is no waiting period with Extras: members pay one low annual fee upfront and are eligible the same day for discount services and products from participating providers.

• Members can use their discounts as often as they like with no limitations or health restrictions.

• Whereas, Medicare supplement plans from private insurers often have waiting periods, annual maximums, deductibles and restrictions on coverage.

Cook points out that another advantage of programs like Dental & Vision Extras is that they are easy for most people to understand because they are so straightforward. "Members can search for participating providers by ZIP code on the Extras website then pay a discounted fee at the time of service. There are no claims to file and no co-insurance to calculate."

Dental & Vision Extras offers both individual and family memberships. Consumers can sign up by visiting www.dentalandvisionextras.com, paying a low annual fee and downloading a membership card. Members can select a licensed dentist from more than 140,000 locations nationwide and an eye care professional from 12,000 eye care centers. Members can also access discounts on hearing equipment from more than 5,000 audiologists and hearing specialists nationwide as well as prescription discounts at more than 56,000 pharmacies.

# # #

Dental & Vision Extras is a joint venture of The Dental Care Plus Group, a leading provider of dental insurance throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, and Total Vision Services, provider of both insured and noninsured vision benefits through a nationwide network of providers.