 A 5 Minute Guide to Selecting the Perfect Dental Plan
There are discount plans, PPO, DHMO and indemnity dental plans and insurance. Selecting a plan can be confusing. This webpage is a quick read and will get you started in the right direction.
Before you call me, read this page. It will save us both a lot of time.
We offer four types of plans.
PPO Dental Plans– A PPO dental insurance plan is real dental insurance. Not all dental plans can use the word insurance.
With a PPO dental plan you can literally go to any dentist you choose. However, if the dentist is part of the PPO network, you will be entitled to the discounted rate for your dental work. If it is at all possible, try to use a network dentist. You will end up paying a lot less and your plan will go much further.
If your dentist is not in the network, then they will be reimbursed a "usual and customary" rate. For some dentists, this rate is what they normally charge. For others it is not.
For example, if you go to a network dentist for a crown, the network price might be $400. If the plan paid 50%, the crown would cost you $200. But, if it were a non-network dentist, he or she might charge $700 for the crown. The plan might find that the "usual and customary" charge in your area is $550. So, at 50%, the plan would pay $275 and you would pay $425 for the crown.
Most of the calls we get are for PPO dental plans. This is what most dentists will ask for.
The premium for this type of plan varies based on where you live, the dollar amount of dental work covered each year and a few other factors.
Indemnity Dental Plans – An indemnity dental plan pays you a fixed amount that is based on a schedule of procedures. It is just that simple. You look up the code for the procedure and you will see how much you are reimbursed.
Some indemnity plans are associated with a PPO-like network and some are not.
Keep in mind that an indemnity dental plan can be used anywhere in the United States. You pay your dentist and the plan reimburses you directly.
However, the better indemnity plans look almost identical to the PPO plans. They have large national networks that give you reduced fees and pay out enough money to mimic the benefits of a PPO.
For example, one of our better plans pays out $313 for a root canal in a molar. The network rate for the service could be $550. You would be responsible for $237, which is very similar to a PPO dental plan.
Plus, the plan includes and excellent vision insurance plan at no extra cost.
Discount Dental Plans – These plans are often under appreciated. I have a discount plan and love it. The trick is finding a dentist in the network that you like. If you do, the plans are very inexpensive and have no waiting periods for major work. . We have these plans in all 50 states.
HMO Dental Plans – If you live in Florida or Texas, I have a very reasonably priced DHMO dental plan for you. The trick is, you might have to change dentists to use the network.
Go to our quote page and look at the SafeGuard DHMO plans for Texas and Florida. This company is owned by MetLife..
With a DHMO, you have a primary dentist, similar to medical HMO plans. If you need a specialist, they make a referral.
Finding Your Dentist - If your dentist does not appear in any of our networks, it means that he or she does not accept any of our plans. Find another dentist or use an indemnity or PPO plan.
I really appreciate the fact that you spent the time to read this page. |
