Linn County Now Offering Dental Discount Cards for Residents

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

Dentist Jeffrey Akey works on patient Brenda Rawson at His Hands Free Medical Clinic in Cedar Rapids. The clinic began offering free dental services in February and has a grand opening set for May 3, 2012.

Tools

By Liz Blood

Story Created: Oct 24, 2012 at 3:40 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 24, 2012 at 10:39 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Linn County supervisors have expanded a discount health care program for county residents to now include dental care.

The program, offered through the National Association of Counties, began several years ago with a discount drug card that could be used at participating pharmacies. County officials say about 500 people a month now use the free card that gives discounts on certain prescription drugs. But they believe the dental program card will be even more popular and could eventually see up to 1,000 users a month.

The NACo Dental Discount Card will offer discounts on services ranging from 5% to 50% off the retail price of dental services like oral exams, cleanings, crowns and dentures. However, unlike the pharmacy card, participants will have to pay a fee to join the program. The cost is $59 per year for individuals and $69 for families. Linn County Supervisor Linda Langston said it’s also possible for those who sign up to pay monthly amounts in the $5 to $6 range.

Langston said the Dental Discount Cards are available at a number of Linn County Offices. Information, including how to sign up and a list of participating dental offices, will also be posted soon on the county’s website here.

Langston said the discount will be applied at the time of service for anyone showing the card to a participating dental office. She expects the low-cost cards to appeal to people who don’t currently have any dental insurance. County officials say the program will also work in conjunction with flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements. But it’s important for uninsured and underinsured residents to know it is a discount program and not insurance.

The program is available to adults and children living anywhere in Linn County.

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.


read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.

What's On KCRG