High Cost Is #1 Reason People Forgo Vision, Dental Exams

DALLAS - Aug. 22, 2013 - PRLog -- Dallas (Aug. 20, 2013) – Americans are feeling the pinch of high costs of healthcare, including at the eye doctor and dentist, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other experts say. But the even bigger price we pay are the long-term costs of not getting that care. They cite a two-fold problem: the costs for regular preventative exams have increased, and many don’t have vision and dental insurance, leaving people with an expensive out-of-pocket bill.

 

DealWell.com (http://www.dealwell.com/), the Dallas-based site that allows consumers to compare, bid and save on health and wellness services, has hundreds of offers on eye and dental exams. The company works with quality North Texas providers and negotiates up to 85 percent off of procedures. At DealWell, consumers can quickly and easily compare the “Buy Now” price at providers near them and have the option to bid for an even deeper discount. Purchases made on DealWell may be eligible for reimbursement from flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) if the service is covered by the plan. Consumers are urged to check with their plan administrators for details.

 

"Forgoing dental treatments can cause big problems down the road," says Dr. Clint Herzog, founder of Floss Dental, a DealWell provider. "Cavities and gum disease progress rapidly if they aren't immediately taken care of. And that can lead to severe pain, invasive procedures and even the loss of teeth. Regular dental care is linked to good overall health too."

 

“Consumers shouldn’t have to skip regular and necessary check-ups because they think they can’t afford them,” says DealWell President and Co-Founder Geoffrey Fischer. “We’re proud that DealWell not only helps people save time and money, but also helps get people into doctors’ offices when they otherwise might just stay home.”

 

Multiple studies by the CDC and private companies show that up to 75 percent of people surveyed typically go to the eye doctor or dentist only when there is a problem. They skip annual exams because of the cost, they don’t feel like they need professional assistance or have trouble getting an appointment. Insurance also weighs into the equation as many consumers don’t have vision or dental insurance. Before DealWell, it was difficult and tedious for consumers to try to call providers during business hours and awkward to inquire about price over the phone and try to negotiate cash-pay discounts.

 

"Eye doctors do more than check your vision and see if you need glasses," says Dr. Dennis Goldsberry of North Texas Eye MD. "Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms. We'll look at depth perception, color perception, eye musculature and peripheral vision, for example, to make sure everything is in proper working order. Without a regular exam, people are usually unaware that they have a problem."

 “We are here to help consumers get the care they need by bringing competition, cost comparison, quality service and price transparency to the health and wellness category online,” Fischer says. “We want to help consumers control their healthcare budgets, take care of themselves and their families and have access to critical preventative services so they’re not facing even bigger bills down the road.”

 

About DealWell.com

The first website that allows consumers to compare, bid and save on health and wellness services, DealWell.com has more than 1000 offers from 200 providers across the Metroplex, in 10 major categories: chiropractic, cosmetic surgery, dental, eye exams and LASIK, hormone therapy, massage, medical imaging, medical spa and day spa, physicals and urgent care, and weight loss/management. DealWell negotiates discounts of up to 85 percent off retail price, and every offer has a “Buy Now” price and the ability to bid for even more savings. Unlike “daily deals” sites, offers on DealWell are available 24/7/365, and for every service consumers have a broad choice of providers. Purchases made on DealWell may be eligible for reimbursement from FSA/HSA plans or applicable to insurance deductibles, if the service is covered by the plan. Consumers are urged to check with their plan administrators for details.

For more information, go to www.DealWell.com. Like them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/dealwellhealth) and follow them on Twitter (https://twitter.com/dealwellhealth).

 

Providers interested in featuring their services on DealWell may click here (http://www.dealwell.com/BecomeAProvider).

 Consumers who are interested in DealWell’s weekly email may sign up by visiting www.DealWell.com.

 

For more information, contact Karen Carrera, TrizCom, at karen@trizcom.com, 972.207.1935 or on Twitter, @kjcarrera.